[gore3000]

From my experience, though, the number of people who can properly assess the "mathematical possibility" of something is far smaller than the number of folks who *think* they are competent enough to correctly do so.

Well, there are such scientists. The impossibility of random chance creating a Boeing 747 is not doubted by anyone. The impossibility of life arising from non-living matter is insurmountably greater than that.

[Ichneumon]

The impossibility of random chance creating a Boeing 747 is not doubted by anyone.

Improbability, you mean. It's not "impossible", just vastly unlikely.

The impossibility of life arising from non-living matter is insurmountably greater than that.

What an amazing claim. Feel free to make a mathematical argument for it. If you can. *cough*