CX

I rarely ever come in contact with evangelical type theists much less creationists. My parents are evangelical Xians but in the interest of our relationship we have an unspoken agreement not to discuss religious issues with eachother. So I was taken aback when the owner of the landscape supply company I regularly do business with questioned me about the darwin fish plaque on the back of my pick-up. "Do you really believe that we evolved from single celled organisms?" What ensued wasa peculiar discussion about evolution. He studied anthropology so he knows all about it. I pointed out that anthropology was the study of man not the study of evolutionary biology. He asked various questions which appeared to be aimed at soundly debunking evolution. He mentioned intelligent design. He asked me if I could give an example of natural selection. Now I don't spend a lot of time debating evolution, but I think I am reasonably well informed. Even so I had very little to say in response. I think I was so stunned that he even brought it up in the context of a business transaction that I didn't know what to say. But I felt really stupid when I couldn't think of a single example of natural selection. I thought of several after I was back in my truck heading home, but a day late and a dollar short. I'm sure I'll see him again. Hopefully I'll be a little more coherent next time now that I know what to expect. It was an interesting encounter though since I've never met a creationist before (at least not that I know of).

Enai

I think I wouldn't have begun to answer the creationist's questions. I would have told him that I didn't think it appropriate to discuss personal beliefs during a business transaction. If I liked the guy, I would have suggested maybe a lunch appointment to discuss. I think it's really out of place in business, unless you've very little to do.

Enai

CX

Yeah, I thought it was a little weird. I mean I knew the guy was an evangelical of some stripe as he always has a stack of religious tracts lying around, but I've done business there many times before and it never came up. Caught me completely off guard.

Bugs

I would have said that bacteria and viruses have been observed to have evolved. Also, some plants have been observed to have evolved into different species that could not pollinate the original species. If he asked �which ones�, I would have said I cannot recall the exact details off the top of my head, but if he gave me his email address I could email him the details.

The evidence for evolution is all here: http://talkorigins.org/faqs/comdesc/

Where is his evidence for whatever he believes in?

Rhea

Anyone who can look at a duck billed platypus and not believe in evolution has a few synapses fouled. In my humble opinion.

dimpledop

You'd be perfectly in your place to say that the timing was inappropriate. And you don't have to provide an alternate time to debate. You can point out that anytime you see someone wearing a cross around his or her neck you don't start quizzing them about how well they know the bible.

Do this in a non-confrontational way of course, but it's important that you keep yourself on equal footing with the interrogator. True, that's easier said than done, but it's worth trying. At least you wouldn't be kicking yourself later for not having thought of some answers on the spot to deal with this particular situation. No one can know everything, and science is a massive body of knowledge.

While it may be a good idea to have some specific answers prepared for next time (since you say there could be a next time), remember that you can choose to debate the issue, or you can choose to politely decline.

CX

The fact is I don't have all that much interest in the evolution/creation debate, nor do I have the background to strongly defend evolution. From my perspective it doesn't really need defending and/or others are already doing a fine job of fighting creationism and it's bastard child ID. Mostly I was just surprised. I've never actually met anyone who rejected evolution before.

Rhea

You could always lean on that, then...

"You're kidding, right? You honestly don't think evolution is well supported?"
..."give me one example..."
"You're joking, right? This is for real? I don't know what to say. ... Hey, about that rye grass. Do you think if I thatch it I can open it up some?"

Weird. I hear ya on all counts!

CX

I was thinking the next time I go there saying something like, "You know, the last time I was here you asked me some really tough questions and I realized I didn't have the answers. I've been thinking about it and thinking about it and realized that I've been living in total darkness. I asked Jesus to forgive me and have given my life over to him. I had to come back here and thank you.

Actually I'm kidding. Could I just get another cubic yard of shredded light blend mulch?"

Corona688

Perfect answer.