Photocrat

Don't you just hate it when your opponent doesn't understand your arguement and tries to use *that* against you; saying that *you* don't make any sense?

Man, it's really annoying when you aren't even believed despite having clear & convincing evidence and using perfectly valid science, just because no one cares to give it more than a cursory examination... *sigh* :[

But what can you expect, sometimes? Apparently, they don't teach much logic in schools these days...

How do you guys deal with it?

OrderedChaos

When dealing with the more stuborn types, I sometimes find it very very hard not to curse them out. Sometimes I am just speachless and can't even respond, I mean what is the proper response to "Evidence of water errosion around the base of the sphynx proves that there was a global flood," that does not involve language that would offend saliors?

MarcoPolo

Well, first of all, you have to realize the creationist motive.

It's not to prove the Bible is true. It's to prove the bible isn't false. Once you get a creationist (Christian) to admit that something about the bible isn't true, you've just destroyed their whole system.

You're never going to see a creationist say, "This theory proves the Bible is true," it will always be, "this theory is wrong for these reasons (and as a side note, I've sidestepped another hurdle at destroying the bible truth.)"

Did that make sense?

I believe there are scientists out there that believe in the creation model, but I would bet that they understand that they'll never be able to prove it. They just make themselves feel better because they feel they can disprove the evolution model.

Orpheous99

Shouldn't this be in Rants and Raves?

If you're speaking of cretinism than I can understand why no one will take you seriously. When you start off with fairy tales no one is going to take you seriously and with good reason to. IT IS NOT SCIENCE. It is religious dogma only.

Dr Rick

Oh...you must be referring to comments such as this: "If you want to talk mathematics, why don't you learn some more?"

Nor courtesy, it would seem.

We move it to the appropriate forum

sensate

Don't worry about trying to convince your opponent. Remember debate is not a private activity. You should concern yourself with how the audience recieves your arguments and whether or not you are percieved as the winner. Winning is not convincing the creationist, it is convincing everyone else. Your opponents stubborness could be used against him if it makes him look bad.

YECs are in the minority. We have to concentrate on the uneducated middle ground. Don't clash swords with creationist but rather think of them as sharpening stones. They can give your arguments a keen edge and help prepare you for people who really want to learn.

Photocrat

I am not a 'cretinist' as you might say.
I happen to believe in evolution...

Photocrat

We've already appologized to each other over that little tiff in the other forum. That person & I were able to come to agreement, finally [it was an objective matter, after all] I was right about the math, but not the tone I took; as I explained to them. That post can no longer be counfounded with this issue.

So I see...

[ January 29, 2002: Message edited by: Photocrat ]</p>

Orpheous99

By some of your "other" comments one would get the impression that you were one.

Photocrat

A Christian, yes, but also an evolutionist. We're not all in the same barrel, y'know. That's not to say that I don't know people who don't believe in evolution, but that's another story...

When have you ever heard me say that I do not believe in evolution, BTW? Are Christian evolutionists really that rare, or do you all just not encounter them much, since they have nothing to prove by discussing what they know of evolution?