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among those who conduct research, in terms of what the data indicate, the debate IS over.
What remains is refinement of resolution of details.
The general outline and mechanisms are settled matters.

What you, and those who originated your argument, demand is unrealistic.
You essentially demand infinite detail and absolute proof of the ToE.
This is akin to demanding an architectural historian draft a record of a building down to the exact placement
of each molecule of mortar before you will concede that he has drawn a reasonably accurate rendering of the building in question.
I note, in passing, that you do not hold yourselves to anything like that standard, but that is another issue for another post.
I will content myself with an illustration in rebuttal of the demand:

This is a rendering of an AutoCAD2000 model of an SKS rifle.
On most of the parts, it is accurate to the original to +/-.001".
It is NOT, however, "perfect"

Even to a layman, it is obviously missing a few parts, most notably the stock.
A more astute and knowledgeable observer will be able to note:
that the lockwork springs are not helical, but are instead represented by stacked toroidal stand-ins;
that the front sight and barrel-mounted metal furniture are absent;
that the rear sight is missing the elevation adjustment bar.

NEVERTHELESS, only an obstinate fool would refuse to see:
that it is indeed a relatively accurate model of a rifle,
and is in fact recognizeably an SKS rifle.

As with the above, so with the ToE.
For people who actually know the subject and approach it with the goal of seeing what the evidence indicates
(rather than attempting to squeeze the evidence into a starting-conclusion), there is no debate.

One of the advantages of returning to one of these threads in its "latter\ days" appears to be that those who remain are those who are seriously, thoughtfully, and respectfully interested in discussing root issues. Several of you have asked questions and made contributions that I deem to be worthy of lengthy, thoughtful, and well-crafted response(s):

King Prout: Thank you! Your CAD model of the SKS offers excellent "fodder" for us to fruitfully discuss the benefits (and pitfalls) of producing models representing objects and processes that we may not (or may) have had the privilege of observing directly. I believe we can use it to have a good conversation on cosmological observations, as well as on the fossil record -- and what we scientists are (and are not) able to glean from them.
Tortoise: your
"...no such tweaking is in evidence. Which isn't to say God is not managing the universe in some fashion, just that said management is apparently not happening in any place we've looked. If it had consequences, it would be detectable. That is a sticky problem to explain away. Unless, of course, there is pervasive heavy-handed brainwashing going on, but that would have theological implications. I imagine most people would have reasons to want to discard that particular hypothesis. "
disregards my evidence (based on personal, direct observation) that I provided in #1391.
Also, if one replaces your pejorative "pervasive heavy-handed brainwashing" with the more palatable (to believers, at least) "answers to prayer" you will perceive that, at the very least, belief in a "managing Creator" has had (and is still exerting) a profound influence -- at least on human history. (See xins' tagline for a present example. And see my tagline for "the opposite side of the coin"...)
xins: I am not at all averse to discussing your most-excellent questions "in public" -- but thank you very much for asking!
(However, please permit me to address them in in a different order than you asked them...)
- "How would you describe the nature/attributes of God given the methods of creation that you see Him using?"
- "Could you give me a rundown of what you see God's role in creation, biogenesis, etc. being (having been?)"
- (If I may, I would like to insert, "What is the role of Satan and the influence of his work (sin) in all of the above?")
- "What is Christ's role, given the nature of the creation that you see?"
I am secure and comfortable enough in my beliefs that I (unlike some of my "YEC" friends) do not feel that my faith in God and His Scriptures hinges on a particular interpretation of something as trivial as, for instance, an inflexible interpretation of the Hebrew word, "yom".
(I just hope that you do not expect me to answer these most excellent questions "in three words or less...") LOL!!!
Alamo-girl and betty boop -- Dear Sisters: Through our previous conversations, I expect that you've been able to glean that my starting point of belief re creation was, essentially, that of those of the "YEC" ("Young Earth Creationist") persuasion. And, I hope it is obvious to you that I feel that the Holy Spirit -- through introducing me to scientific investigation, and through guiding my study of Scripture, has "liberated" me from those primitive belief constraints. And, in the process, the Spirit has enormously expanded my appreciation for the majesty and sheer awesomeness of our Creator God and the redemptive Grace of our Saviour!
Now, as we've also discussed, I am trying to formulate the steps that led to my 'liberation' so that I can understand what it is that still constrains many of our brethren to continue to expend (waste, IMO) prodigious efforts trying to "defeat the paper dragon of Evolution".
I see no more relationship between the theories of Darwin and my "creation in the Image of God" than I do between those of Hawking or Einstein and my salvation. Hence I really cannot identify with fellow Christians who are driven to "Defeat Evil Darwinism". Any insight you can provide would be most appreciated!
All: When I started this list of folks deserving responses, I had in mind a single response. Now that I've seen how much HTML it takes just to frame the questions, it is clear that responding to individuals is the only way to get it done. However, (unless someone objects) I will copy all of you on each response -- because I may touch on issues you raised in any comment.

I'll keep a copy of this "shopping list" and hope that the midday heat will keep me indoors long enough the next few days to complete this massive task I have outlined for myself...

And so to work...