No, Nate, only a fool defends evolution.
GMTY, RaceBannon.
My former pastor, in a series he regularly taught, had an interesting perspective about evolution v. creation.
First of all, he called them both theories, since neither was reproducible via the scientific method. Barring the time to go into all of the technical arguments for either side (for which both sides have written tomes), he tried to boil it down to the basics.
In evolution, there was a big mass of something that got there somehow. That something went bang, and chunks of this something that got there somehow were dispersed into space, where the fragments rapidly cooled and became what we know as planets. And it just so happens that only one of those "masses" can support human life...which if evolution is to be believed, evolved from monkeys and apes.
(An aside: the pastor's son, when very young, asked his dad, "If we evolved from monkeys and apes, why are there still monkeys and apes?")
In creation, there was a beginning, and in it, God created the heavens and the earth, the seas, light, darkness, fish, animals, and humans (interestingly enough, He personally only made two, and then provided for human procreation for everyone since...except for one). He did it in six days, and rested on the seventh.
Those are the basics. His point was that, if both are theories, on which one do you "hang your hat"? He proposed two tests to apply to the theories:
1) which theory makes more sense;
2) which theory more satisfactorily answers life's questions.
Which theory makes more sense? Does it make sense that some mass just appeared out of nowhere, exploded on its own, became the various planets on its own, with only one being able to sustain life? Does it make sense that everything I see is the product of blind chance and time? This mass...who made it? This bang...what made it go "bang"?
Or, does it make more sense that someone designed it all? That it happened just the way that the Bible described it? (perhaps that is the problem, and that's one thing that the pastor mentioned...once you acknowledge that there is God, you become accountable to Him, and without excuse of "I didn't know"...that opens up a whole 'nother discussion, for another time).
So, if the first question is a push (which theory makes more sense), then the second question is, "which theory more satisfactorily answers life's questions"? His list was short, five basics.
1)Who am I?
2)Why am I here?
3)What happens at death?
4)Is there a basis for morality?
5)Is there a (what is the) meaning of human history?
So he applied both theories to each question.
1) Why am I here?
If evolution is true, I am an accident. I am the result of blind chance and time. I'm just an ape who made good. On the other hand, if creation is true, I am a significant being, made in the image of God. (Psalm 139, Genesis 1)
I like the latter better. And the latter seems to make more sense.
2) Why am I here?
Well, if evolution is true, and I am an accident, why am I here? WHO CARES! I'm here for no reason...again, the product of blind time and chance. If creation is true, then I am here to glorify God, enjoy Him forever, and do whatever He has purposed for me.
3) What happens at death?
If E is true, and I am an accident, with no reason to be here, then what happens at death? NOTHING! That's it. One day I'm here, the next day I'm not. I can do what I want. "Eat and drink, for tomorrow I die." If creation is true, I go to one of two places, heaven or hell, based on a decision I made (or didn't) to trust (GASP) Jesus as my Savior. (That's what I believe)
4) Is there a basis for morality?
If E is true, no. Why? Well, what is the basis? On what or on whom is it based? The Creator? There wasn't one. Under evolution, I am an accident, here for no reason, who has no debt to pay when I die...I can do anything I want, to anyone I want. (Of course, someone could invoke the same on me) If creation is true, there is a basis for morality, and that basis is God Himself. Perfect in every way, sinless, and God in the flesh, who knew no sin, became sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God. In Christ, we are made acceptable to God.
5) What is the meaning of human history? Or is there one?
If evolution is true, and I am an accident, with no care about why I am here, what happens when I die, or how I treat my fellow man (or woman). Given that, history means nothing to me. It happened. It had to be an accident as well. Whatever. If creation is true, then history has a purpose, and a meaning, and a definite end.
Anyway, that is the short "from memory" part. Some will say that it is even worse than what Ann said, some will buy into it...I leave that for you to decide.