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t used to be that these threads stayed on topic with the theory of evolution v intelligent design - or - the theory of evolution v. young earth creationism. Lately however the threads have become side-tracked on besmirching either Christian fundamentalism on the one hand, or Catholicism on the other. I would much prefer we simply agree to stay on the original topics, but if besmirching must go on, then I strongly recommend we define the terms - because it is inappropriate to equate Young Earth Creationism to Christian Fundamentalism. Likewise, it would be inappropriate to equate the Theory of Evolution to Catholism.

No one regrets the side-tracking more than I do. I would prefer to discuss evolution and anyone's scientific objections or alternatives to it. If the proposed objections and alternatives are religious in nature, as is often the case, I personally regard them as off-topic and entirely irrelevant in a science thread.

Unfortunately, some people around here regard that position to be "Christian-bashing," while I regard it as merely trying to stay on topic. Alas, things can all-too-easily degenerate when someone (often well-intentioned but horrendously ignorant) takes the position that "We good Christian folk have to shut down you eeeeevil science folk." It is most unfortunate when a thread swerves off in that direction.

Too much troll-feeding. Virtual Ignore is our friend.

"If the proposed objections and alternatives are religious in nature, as is often the case, I personally regard them as off-topic and entirely irrelevant in a science thread."

Does that statement pretend to state you've not participated in "religious" discussions? Your piety falls on deaf ears all around because you have. Delights in personal attacks not excluded.
The only good news in all this whining is that you've effectively been reduced to not much more than a placemarker, which appears to be your just desserts for your part in the grand scheme of the christian bashing you suddenly imagine yourself above.

Alas, things can all-too-easily degenerate when someone (often well-intentioned but horrendously ignorant) takes the position that "We good Christian folk have to shut down you eeeeevil science folk." It is most unfortunate when a thread swerves off in that direction.

One good thing about that happening on a thread about textbook selection in Texas is that people get to see the real face of ID, a supposedly secular movement within science. Oh, yeah!

Thank you so much for your reply! Hugs!!!

No one regrets the side-tracking more than I do. I would prefer to discuss evolution and anyone's scientific objections or alternatives to it. If the proposed objections and alternatives are religious in nature, as is often the case, I personally regard them as off-topic and entirely irrelevant in a science thread.

Unfortunately, some people around here regard that position to be "Christian-bashing," while I regard it as merely trying to stay on topic. Alas, things can all-too-easily degenerate when someone (often well-intentioned but horrendously ignorant) takes the position that "We good Christian folk have to shut down you eeeeevil science folk." It is most unfortunate when a thread swerves off in that direction.

Please try to see this from the other point of view as well.

When evolutionists declare that Young Earth Creationists (or Christian Fundamentalists) are an embarrassment to conservatism in general and the Republican party in particular, it is taken as Christian-bashing. What else could it be?

Wouldn’t a person of a particular ethnicity, gender, age or sexual orientation be righteously indignant if he were told he was an embarrassment to conservatism?

Christian Fundamentalists are not second-class conservatives --- nor are Catholics, Jews, Mormons, Agnostics, Atheists, etc.

Likewise, Young Earth Creationists are not second-class conservatives --- nor are Evolutionists, Intelligent Design Supporters, Panspermia Supporters, etc.

IMHO, if we can agree to level the political playing field, we can get back to the core debate of the theory of evolution v intelligent design --- and the issues concerning the age of the universe.

Discussing the Designer and the strata of evidence He has embedded in the Bible is just as relevant to this thread as discussing Evolution and the strata of evidence embedded in the earth.