[PatrickHenry]

IOW, the question of participating in one of these sham debates is essentially a lose-lose proposition for the established position; to participate lends an air of legitimacy to that which does not deserve it, and to NOT participate provides the opposition with an opportunity to "spin" it for their own benefit.

But there is one undeniable benefit to staying away. Without the element of "controversy" there's very little media coverage. If there's no controversy (which only the science side can create by showing up) then it's not news, and the creationists are reduced to babbling among themselves.

[longshadow]

But there is one undeniable benefit to staying away. Without the element of "controversy" there's very little media coverage. If there's no controversy (which only the science side can create by showing up) then it's not news, and the creationists are reduced to babbling among themselves.

An insightful observation....