Danon

Sorry bout the confusion, but here is the rest of the story. It is a contemporary issues class, and we get to pick any topic we want to disscuse. I chose evolution. It is a normal school, but it does have its religiuos times. Some agnostic, some christian, and me. I wish to present the topic of what is true, evolution or creation. It is only a presentation on one side of the issue, but I may have some people challanging me in the Q&A section. Hope this clarifies a little. Thanks.

Danon

liquid

Well one word of warning would be not to try and fudge anything. If you don't know the answer to a question, don't make it up because you won't look good if they dig it out of you.

Theophage

Since your presentation will be one sided, I would suggest something like this:

1) Give a few reasons why evolution was considered in the first place, i.e. why did people think that living things were related.

a) certin things look related (vrious dogs, cats, birds, etc)
b) things which used to be alive weren't around any more

2) Describe what the theory of evolution is, and give a few reasons why we think it is true.

a) evolution has to do with the common descent of all life by changes in heritable traits.
b) changes in heritable traits have been observed
c) natural selection has been observed
d) new species have been observed to come about

3) Now describe what creation is and give a few reasons why creationists think it is true.

a) the Bible says God created animals, plants, and man all at once
b) the bible says that animals can only produce others of their "kind"

4) Finally, rebut the reasons creationists have with argument and evidence to show that creationism is empty compared to evolution.

a) the fossil record shows that not all animals were created at once
b) there is genetic evidence as well as fossil evidence that animals of different "kinds" are related and had common ancestors (humans/apes, whales, mammals/reptiles, etc)

Hows that for a simple outline?

[ January 09, 2002: Message edited by: Theophage ]</p>

Arrowman

Danon, I think Theophage gives a very good outline for a presentation on the subject "which is true?". My one comment is that it contains too many points for a five minute talk. You can probably only get across 3-5 main points in that time, and even that is stretching the rules of a good presentation.

So you may need to cut it down a bit; I'd advise preparing some additional material in reserve, anticipating Q&A. (I'm sure your ability to handle Q&A will contribute to your mark?!) That way you can get away with a bit of assertion-without-too-much-explanation on some points, and when challenged by your audience you'll be able to back yourself up.

Next comment: You said earlier "I wish to present the topic of what is true, evolution or creation."
- I'd stay away from the "which is true?" line. Religionists and philosophers are fond of the "search for Truth"; scientists look for explanations. Evolution is the best available scientific explanation for the development and diversity of life on this planet. It is not "true". Maybe you think I'm picking you up a bit too literally on this; it's just that I've seen "Truth!" used too often on the creationist side of the debate and you shouldn't go there with them.

Finally, I'd like to offer a slightly different outline, with a different intent. Since yours is a "contemporary issues" class, you might consider talking about "the issue - what's all the fuss about?" - something along the lines of

1. The Theory of Evolution and Natural Selection is the currently accepted scientific explanation... etc. As such, it is taught as the underpinning of all biological sciences in our schools and colleges.
2. Creationism, and specifically Young Earth Creationism, is the religious belief that Genesis is literally true.
3. Since the advances in scientific knowledge over the past 150-200 years have increasingly shown us that the earth is old, that evolution has happened etc, this has challenged the religious beliefs of some people.
4. These people have devised "Creation Science" in an effort to demonstrate a scientific basis for their beliefs; and they argue that evolution and creation are just "different interpretations of the same evidence.
5. This not valid because evolution results from examination of the evidence and seeking explanations; creationism results from a presupposed explanation and seeking evidence to support that (and discarding that which does not)
6. The motivation for this (creation science) is twofold:
a. To sneak religion into our schools under the science curriculum;
b. To prop up the faith of people who might otherwise "stray" in the face of the evidence.
7. The US Supreme Court has repeatedly struck down attempts to bring creationism into schools (First Amendment), however at state, county and school board level the creationist movement has had some success.
8. But why is all this important anyway? Especially if you could care less about a little religion sneaking into schools? Because it would degrade the quality of science education. Because it would require teachers to teach non-science in science class. Because to teach (or study) creationism as science with any credibility, you have to suspend good rational, critical and scientific thinking processes (the Flood is an excellent, easily accessible example). Because it would be like teaching lottery beating systems in a statistics class; or astrology in an astronomy class.
9. So, in conclusion - Just Say No! To Creation Science in schools!

And somewhere in there you could mix some examples of "what evolution says" and "what creationists think" - the fossil record and the Flood are the best in my opinion; everyone can understand what happens when you mix up billions of bones in a turbulent flood (ie, you don't get the fossil record we see today).

Ok - that's still 9 points. Brainstorming here.

PS When is your deadline? There are so many topics on which we can give you references...

Danon

Thanks for all the info guys and gals! My deadline is Jan 14th. This might not seem like alot of time, but I have some of my stuff down on paper, but any more on what you think or what you might want to say would be greatly appericiated. My main problem with presentations is the into. I can't seem to think of a few words that would break in this disscusion with out too much offensiveness or with out me being stoned. I need posters to present, so I was wondering if anyone knew of a web page with alot of ape/man/transitional fossils? This along with any more ideas would be great. Thanks for the help so far!

Oolon Colluphid

Hi Danon

The Talk Origins Hominid Fossil FAQ is brilliant:

<a href="http://www.talkorigins.org/faqs/homs/" target="_blank">http://www.talkorigins.org/faqs/homs/</a>

And there’s lots of nice stuff here too:

<a href="http://www.mnh.si.edu/anthro/humanorigins/" target="_blank">http://www.mnh.si.edu/anthro/humanorigins/</a>

I’ve also just e-mailed you a Word doc (hope you can use Word!) that might be useful. I knocked it up a while back for yet another creationist I encountered personally. It’d make a good two-sheet handout and the first page would be a good poster. The site I nicked the picture off (http://ucsu.colorado.edu/~theobal/evolution.html) seems to be down atm, and the main pic’s embedded in the Word doc now... But it’s got the best image of chronologically-arranged hominid skulls (front and side views of each) I know of. (The version I’ve put in the doc is better cos I’ve drawn lines to separate the skulls, it’s a bit confusing without!)

Best of luck, Oolon

Arrowman

&lt;Bump&gt; Danon, looking forward to a report on how your talk went over; especially the Q&A. All the best.