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).

[Tennessee_Bob]

She plays tennis?

[PeaceBeWithYou]

A trivial case, easily demonstrated under normal conditions, would be the pervasive zero point field, where particles are constantly popping in and out of existence.

The Casimir Effect is an example of the force generated by these transient particles as they spontaneously come into existence in a vacuum.

Hmmmm...Interesting, do you have a source for that?

I thought the Casimir Effect Theory claims that a small attractive force which acts between two close parallel uncharged conducting plates, is due to quantum vacuum fluctuations of the electromagnetic field. Nothing in the theory as I understand it, describes anything appearing from out of nowhere.

Physicist don't like things they can't explain, and I'd kinda like to know which one of them proposed such a thing.

[longshadow]

space-time place-moment marker

[jlogajan]

The same coping mechanisms that atheist use to fight the fear that god might exist and the reality of what will happen when they find out he does should make for an interesting event.

That doesn't make any sense. Most atheists come from religionists backgrounds. There is no reason for them to step off the plantation other than the failure of the purveyors of myths to present convincing cases.

[jlogajan]

I don't have to explain where God came from - I can't. But I can explain where everything else came from!

But that was the logic of the ancients too. "What does the world sit on? The back of a turtle. What does the turtle sit on? The back of another turtle. Okay, now I am satisified. That explains it far enough."

Well, really, it didn't explain anything except that the human mind is sometimes easily fooled by a few layers of iteration.

[PatrickHenry]

Planet seven marker.

[BMCDA]

The same coping mechanisms that atheist use to fight the fear that god might exist and the reality of what will happen when they find out he does should make for an interesting event.

There are so many gods to fear. Do you mean all of them?
I find it also quite interesting that many believers never have this fear that their god(s) may not exist but one they just happen not to believe in. If this turns out to be true they also may be in big trouble.

[BMCDA]

Ditto

[general_re]

It's like saying 'perpetual motion brick'.

Ah, didn't you know? We have one of those posting right here on FR - cf. #316.

[Oztrich Boy]

banner, if'n yer going to express a desire to wash another poster's mouth out with soap, you might want to avoid the use of scatological language yerself.

[BMCDA]

One could equally well ask what's with following the principles of Buddha ;-D

I never said that I follow the direction "my inner failings" take me. Since I don't live in a void but in a society with other people I learn what is acceptable and what is not. You have to behave yourself if you want to deal with others and get along with them.
So we are in a permanent learning process which is influenced by the feedback we receive from those we interact with.

Of course it doesn't matter why someone follows the rules of his society as long as he does. But I think you should be able to comprehend at least the sense of the most basic rules so you know why you obey these rules in contrast to simply obeing them because you fear that your're arse gets kicked in an afterlife if you do not.

Additionally I wanted to mention that there were also older religions than Christianity in the middle east which had similar teachings.

[foolish-one]

I don't find anything irrational at all in acknowledging the existance of a being that is vastly superiort to me, more intelligent than I am, can answer questions that I can't and understands things that I may never understand. God knows where He came from and how He created the universe. I don't have to understand it to believe it. If that's what you call faith - OK.

I still contend that without God you do have to contend with where everything came from and how it started (and why).

I like your example. "Where did the suitcase come from?" My answer - I got it for a birthday present from my mother. That's the truth. I don't have to attempt to figure out first, then explain that it was bought at Sears, which contracted with AT to sell them, which had their factories sew them together from leather which came from farmers somewhere in a place named Corinth (where the heck is that?) which - oh, well, if you want to play that game, officer, I guess I don't really know where the suitcase came from.

[foolish-one]

But those beliefs were based on stories that men made up in an attempt to explain something that was there and real, but that they didn't understand. Yeah, sure, you can say the same thing about the Bible, but is purported to be the words and wisdom of the God that did the creating and it has been scrutinized and passed the test of time - at least for those who believe. And I'm not talking blind faith. I'm an engineer with an interest and love for science and there's enough evidence for me. I'm satisfied.

Have fun.

[artios]

ad hominum does not refute. try again.

[tortoise]

I thought the Casimir Effect Theory claims that a small attractive force which acts between two close parallel uncharged conducting plates, is due to quantum vacuum fluctuations of the electromagnetic field. Nothing in the theory as I understand it, describes anything appearing from out of nowhere.

The two plates act as a particle filter in the middle (virtual photons with longer wavelengths can't form), creating a pressure differential as the photons and whatnot impact the plates from both sides. Because there are fewer virtual particles forming between the plates due to the filtering effect, the average force applied is smaller.

What a lot of people don't know is that conservation of mass/energy is something of a white lie. Conservation of mass/energy is conserved over time but is not required to be conserved at any given instant in time. For various reasons having to do with the caveats that go along with it, we don't see this manifest meaningfully in ordinary day-to-day life. There is nothing in principle that prevents a Ferrari from materializing in my driveway out of nothing, but I'm not counting on it. The odds are probably statistically better that my truck spontaneously rearranges itself into a Ferrari due to a highly improbable thermodynamic event.

Think of the universe as a bank. You can "borrow" things into existence from nothing, but the more you borrow, the stiffer the terms, and on average, the sooner you have to pay it back.

[rucrazee]

2 Tim 3:1-7:
1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,
7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
KJV

1 Cor 1:18-31
18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.
19 For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.
20 Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?
21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.
22 For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:
23 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;
24 But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.
25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
26 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:
27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;
28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:
29 That no flesh should glory in his presence.
30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:
31 That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.
KJV

1 John 2:22-25
22 Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.
23 Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: (but) he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.
24 Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father.
25 And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life.
KJV

Job 38
38:1 Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said,
2 Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge?
3 Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me.
4 Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding.
5 Who hath laid the measures thereof, if thou knowest? or who hath stretched the line upon it?
6 Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? or who laid the corner stone thereof;
7 When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?
8 Or who shut up the sea with doors, when it brake forth, as if it had issued out of the womb?
9 When I made the cloud the garment thereof, and thick darkness a swaddlingband for it,
10 And brake up for it my decreed place, and set bars and doors,
11 And said, Hitherto shalt thou come, but no further: and here shall thy proud waves be stayed?
12 Hast thou commanded the morning since thy days; and caused the dayspring to know his place;
13 That it might take hold of the ends of the earth, that the wicked might be shaken out of it?
14 It is turned as clay to the seal; and they stand as a garment.
15 And from the wicked their light is withholden, and the high arm shall be broken.
16 Hast thou entered into the springs of the sea? or hast thou walked in the search of the depth?
17 Have the gates of death been opened unto thee? or hast thou seen the doors of the shadow of death?
18 Hast thou perceived the breadth of the earth? declare if thou knowest it all.
19 Where is the way where light dwelleth? and as for darkness, where is the place thereof,
20 That thou shouldest take it to the bound thereof, and that thou shouldest know the paths to the house thereof?
21 Knowest thou it, because thou wast then born? or because the number of thy days is great?
22 Hast thou entered into the treasures of the snow? or hast thou seen the treasures of the hail,
23 Which I have reserved against the time of trouble, against the day of battle and war?
24 By what way is the light parted, which scattereth the east wind upon the earth?
25 Who hath divided a watercourse for the overflowing of waters, or a way for the lightning of thunder;
26 To cause it to rain on the earth, where no man is; on the wilderness, wherein there is no man;
27 To satisfy the desolate and waste ground; and to cause the bud of the tender herb to spring forth?
28 Hath the rain a father? or who hath begotten the drops of dew?
29 Out of whose womb came the ice? and the hoary frost of heaven, who hath gendered it?
30 The waters are hid as with a stone, and the face of the deep is frozen.
31 Canst thou bind the sweet influences of Pleiades, or loose the bands of Orion?
32 Canst thou bring forth Mazzaroth in his season? or canst thou guide Arcturus with his sons?
33 Knowest thou the ordinances of heaven? canst thou set the dominion thereof in the earth?
34 Canst thou lift up thy voice to the clouds, that abundance of waters may cover thee?
35 Canst thou send lightnings, that they may go, and say unto thee, Here we are?
36 Who hath put wisdom in the inward parts? or who hath given understanding to the heart?
37 Who can number the clouds in wisdom? or who can stay the bottles of heaven,
38 When the dust groweth into hardness, and the clods cleave fast together?
39 Wilt thou hunt the prey for the lion? or fill the appetite of the young lions,
40 When they couch in their dens, and abide in the covert to lie in wait?
41 Who provideth for the raven his food? when his young ones cry unto God, they wander for lack of meat.
KJV

Rom 10:9-13
9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.
13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
KJV

1 John 1:9-10
9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. KJV

Rev 20:12-15
12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.
14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
KJV