[FredZarguna]

First, the only sensible definition of order is a relative one defined by high vs. low entropy states. In closed macrosystems, the entropy of the system always increases, so yes, for those systems the 2nd law does rule out disorder-to-order transitions. Second, microstates aren't part of the debate about evolution. Cells, (even cell organelles) are not microstates, so the fact that "ordered" states are accessible from "disordered" states in phase space (in fact, they must be attained) is not at issue. The problem with the Second Law and creationists is that they don't understand it. Please don't add to their ignorance by overstating the case.

[crail]

for those systems the 2nd law does rule out disorder-to-order transitions
Order-disorder is possible, and it gives a better understanding of entropy. For example: if you have a system of elongated hard particles... particles shaped like pencils, and you keep the system at constant energy as you add particles, eventually you'll have enough nail-shaped particles that they will all like up pointing in the same direction. An "all pointing the same way" phase, which is more ordered than the isotropic random phase. Now you close the system, but just before you do, you mix up the particles by stirring, so it's disordered, then wait. In time, the system will re-order itself by orienting the particles into the same direction. It will undergo a disorder-order transition. Since you only have hard core potentials, the reason it undergoes that transition is not energetic, (there is no potential), it is entropic. Entropy is the driving force behind the transition, entropy creates order. The trick is the system can have a higher entropy in the ordered phase as it traded some orientational freedom for much greater positional freedom. Likewise for large and small hard core spheres. In the energetic case, the number of examples of order-disorder transitions grows greatly. Diblock copolymers are my field of study. They prefer to be ordered because they can dissipate potential energy as they order themselves. Dissipating potential almost always increases entropy.

The problem with creationists understanding is that they keep getting told that high entropy means disorder. It means nothing of the sort, except in the case of an ideal gas. It's a rare system where the ideal gas approximation is valid. If one believes that entropy = disorder, then exceptions to the 2nd abound. People will not understand how the 2nd and evolution go together until they understand what entropy is, and what it is not. Dispelling this entropy = disorder myth is, I believe, an important step. You can never teach someone about the 2nd and it's ramifications if they do not understand entropy.