Prove Evolution: Win $250,000!

Creation Science Evangelism ^ | N/A | Dr. Ken Hovind

[handk]

Dr. Hovind's $250,000 Offer
formerly $10,000, offered since 1990

I have a standing offer of $250,000 to anyone who can give any empirical evidence (scientific proof) for evolution.*  My $250,000 offer demonstrates that the hypothesis of evolution is nothing more than a religious belief.

 

Observed phenomena:

Most thinking people will agree that--
1. A highly ordered universe exists.
2. At least one planet in this complex universe contains an amazing variety of life forms.
3. Man appears to be the most advanced form of life on this planet.

Known options:

Choices of how the observed phenomena came into being--
1. The universe was created by God.
2. The universe always existed.
3. The universe came into being by itself by purely natural processes (known as evolution) so that no appeal to the supernatural is needed.

Evolution has been acclaimed as being the only process capable of causing the observed phenomena.

Evolution is presented in our public school textbooks as a process that:

1. Brought time, space, and matter into existence from nothing.
2. Organized that matter into the galaxies, stars, and at least nine planets around the sun. (This process is often referred to as cosmic evolution.)
3. Created the life that exists on at least one of those planets from nonliving matter (chemical evolution).
4. Caused the living creatures to be capable of and interested in reproducing themselves.
5. Caused that first life form to spontaneously diversify into different forms of living things, such as the plants and animals on the earth today (biological evolution).

People believe in evolution; they do not know that it is true. While beliefs are certainly fine to have, it is not fair to force on the students in our public school system the teaching of one belief, at taxpayers’ expense. It is my contention that evolutionism is a religious worldview that is not supported by science, Scripture, popular opinion, or common sense. The exclusive teaching of this dangerous, mind-altering philosophy in tax-supported schools, parks, museums, etc., is also a clear violation of the First Amendment.

 

How to collect the $250,000:

Prove beyond reasonable doubt that the process of evolution (option 3 above, under "known options") is the only possible way the observed phenomena could have come into existence. Only empirical evidence is acceptable. Persons wishing to collect the $250,000 may submit their evidence in writing or schedule time for a public presentation. A committee of trained scientists will provide peer review of the evidence offered and, to the best of their ability, will be fair and honest in their evaluation and judgment as to the validity of the evidence presented.

If you are convinced that evolution is an indisputable fact, may I suggest that you offer $250,000 for any empirical or historical evidence against the general theory of evolution. This might include the following:

1. The earth is not billions of years old (thus destroying the possibility of evolution having happened as it is being taught).
2. No animal has ever been observed changing into any fundamentally different kind of animal.
3. No one has ever observed life spontaneously arising from nonliving matter.
4. Matter cannot make itself out of nothing.

 

My suggestion:

Proponents of the theory of evolution would do well to admit that they believe in evolution, but they do not know that it happened the way they teach. They should call evolution their "faith" or "religion," and stop including it in books of science. Give up faith in the silly religion of evolutionism, and trust the God of the Bible (who is the Creator of this universe and will be your Judge, and mine, one day soon) to forgive you and to save you from the coming judgment on man’s sin.

* NOTE:
When I use the word evolution, I am not referring to the minor variations found in all of the various life forms (microevolution). I am referring to the general theory of evolution which believes these five major events took place without God:

1. Time, space, and matter came into existence by themselves.
2. Planets and stars formed from space dust.
3. Matter created life by itself.
4. Early life-forms learned to reproduce themselves.
5. Major changes occurred between these diverse life forms (i.e., fish changed to amphibians, amphibians changed to reptiles, and reptiles changed to birds or mammals).

[foolish-one]

Although we have apparently arrived at different conclusions, I agree with your last few statements. It amazes me that people on both sides of this issue can glom onto an (any) argument that suits their persuasion but disregard or redicule opposing arguments that employ the same type of logic, methods or evidentiary processes (or lack thereof) that they themselves use.

If you have read the Bible and also know and understand science and have considered the evidence before forming your opinions, then you start out in this debate with a degree of credibility usually missing from the typical combatants.

Post on and Have Fun!!

[stainlessbanner]

I've watched you jump right into threads and chastise posters with a "pathetic personal attack" comment too many times.

This is a forum for grown-ups, go hit the books and focus on your college career. Come back when you are more mature. God Bless!

[JediGirl]

This is a forum for grown-ups, go hit the books and focus on your college career. Come back when you are more mature. God Bless!

I simply point out when someone is doing a bad job of making their point. I will ignore the remainder of your comment and ask you to go home and pay attention to other things outside FreeRepublic that will further your knowledge. No matter if it is your hobby, do something else. Why? Because I said so.

[stainlessbanner]

If you were my child, I would wash your mouth out with soap. Now get busy trying to win your $250,000 prize, kiddo.

[JediGirl]

If you were my child, I would wash your mouth out with soap. Now get busy trying to win your $250,000 prize, kiddo.

If I were your kid, I'd have to terminate my life as I would be unable to bear the ignorance that would likely be abound in our household.

[Gumlegs]

From Oztrich Boy: So. there are people out there who have devoted their lives to proving that; the House of Windsor are drug-running alien lizards; that Con-Ed is keeping Tesla's bounty from the public; that a tightly controlled conspiracy of several thousand individuals (including Jackie) killed JFK; and much else besides.

All idiots.

From handk: Come again? I couldn't quite make out what you're saying "Ostrich Boy" (oh, sorry, Oztrich Boy, or did you get the spelling wrong because you're dumbed down?). Head stuck in the sand? Pull your head out of the sand and maybe I can make out what you're saying.

As any lawyer would inform you, you're arguing the "left side" of the issue, and you're wholly "off-point."

JediGirl was objecting to the first handk paragraph. One can rationally disagree with Oztrich Boy's points, but I'm afraid handk's methods do not rise to the level of the rational.

I could be mistaken. Please tell me which part of that paragraph do you regard as something other than a "pathetic personal attack"?

Do you really believe adults persuade each other in handk's fashion?

[tortoise]

Nevertheless, if one chooses not to believe it God, then one must assume it did come from nothing.

You are aware that physical things are constantly popping in and out of existence in the world around us? Your pedestrian notions of things like time, space, and existence itself are quaint, but not actually grounded in science's physical and mathematical model of the universe.

[stainlessbanner]

This is not the only thread that this poster jumps in drops a turd on the discussion with the comment "pathetic personal attack" - that was my point.

[JediGirl]

This is not the only thread that this poster jumps in drops a turd on the discussion with the comment "pathetic personal attack" - that was my point.

But I also leave my opinion on that which is being dicussed.

[danelectro]

you - Right. Dr. Hovind has devoted his life and ministry since 1989 to debunking evolution. He has encapsulated his position in a 15-hour best-selling video series. He gives regular seminars, appears on countless radio shows, and in short, lives, eat and breathes debunking evolution mythology.

But you say he's an "idiot" and "cannot understand evolution."

[from dr. hovind's challenge]

When I use the word evolution, I am not referring to the minor variations found in all of the various life forms (microevolution). I am referring to the general theory of evolution which believes these five major events took place without God:

Time, space, and matter came into existence by themselves.
Planets and stars formed from space dust.
Matter created life by itself.
Early life-forms learned to reproduce themselves.
Major changes occurred between these diverse life forms (i.e., fish changed to amphibians, amphibians changed to reptiles, and reptiles changed to birds or mammals).

it's painfully obvious from the doctor's own statement that he either doesn't understand evolution, or if he does, is purposefully misrepresenting it to the public.

so either he's been studying this for a decade and still hasn't figured out the basics -- i'd say idiot is a kind word for that -- or he's lying in order to save souls and sell merchandise.

[foolish-one]

Good thought-provoking article (really). I enjoyed it. I only have one problem with it:

Still, our [name your particular adversary here], who would never let facts spoil a favorite argument, refuse to yield...

Quote could have been uttered from anyone on either side of this or countless other debates. I get so tired of this crap. It serves absolutely no purpose except to act as an emotional upper or shot of addrenalin for the choir already chanting and swaying behind the jaw-jutting, self-righteous preacher (no pun intended). Anybody with even a little initiative and access to the internet can trot out lists of supposed missing links that were hyped as proof of evolution only to be discredited if this is going to be a war of attrition and the last person standing wins. What a waste of intellectual energy and risk to credibility. There are enough real facts and supposed 'facts' in dispute on both sides to warrant rational discussion. Let's talk about those.

Otherwise, thanks and Have Fun!!!

[longshadow]

This is a forum for grown-ups, go hit the books and focus on your college career. Come back when you are more mature.

And I'm sure you'll be welcomed back here just as soon as YOU grow up and learn to stop bullying highschool students.

[stainlessbanner]

And I'm sure you'll be welcomed back here just as soon as YOU grow up and learn to stop bullying highschool students.

I don't bully, I teach : )

[Gumlegs]

This is not the only thread that this poster jumps in drops a turd on the discussion with the comment "pathetic personal attack" - that was my point.

In that case, do you object to having pathetic personal attacks pointed out, or do you object to JediGirl's having viewed more than one thread?

[f.Christian]

... pacemaker---creation!

[stainlessbanner]

If I were your kid, I'd have to terminate my life as I would be unable to bear the ignorance that would likely be abound in our household.

That's cute!

[sayfer bullets]

Evolution, on a small scale, has been proven.

(accepting for purpose of argument)...one has to admit that more grandiose conclusions are drawn from this "small scale". Accepting such things on a macro-scale when the micro-evidence does not provide proof....is faith.

[JediGirl]

(accepting for purpose of argument)...one has to admit that more grandiose conclusions are drawn from this "small scale". Accepting such things on a macro-scale when the micro-evidence does not provide proof....is faith.

See the TalkOrigins Macroevolution FAQ

[PatrickHenry]

If I were your kid, I'd have to terminate my life as I would be unable to bear the ignorance that would likely be abound in our household.

You are one spunky kid. I love you, JediGirl!

[JediGirl]

You are one spunky kid. I love you, JediGirl!

:-D My spunk will be my downfall in the end. Until then, I will have a good time.