Posted on 05/02/2002 6:48:03 AM PDT by handk
Dr. Hovind's $250,000 Offer 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-- Known options: Choices of how the observed phenomena came into being-- 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. 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. 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). 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 mans sin. * NOTE:
formerly $10,000, offered since 1990
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.
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.
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).
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.
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:
Of course. because those who believe and have faith in something will likely retain that faith no matter the evidence that weighs in against that in which they believe.
That, or the theory that little green men from the planet Krypton inadvertently deposited the little buggers here during their last visit.
While your example MIGHT constitute evidence against evolution theory (by your own admission, "The explanations may, in fact, exist", but let's suppose they don't, and that this is, in fact, evidence AGAINST evolution), it does in no way constitute evidence to support creation theory any more than it provides evidence to support little-green-men-from-outer-space theory.
Your lack of logic is astounding. I'm afraid you don't get to collect the $20. However, the original bet stands. Please try again.
Now listen, you who say, Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money. Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? It is a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that. As it is, you boast and brag. All such boasting is evil. Anyone, then who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins. James 4:13-17
I take it you didn't have a source to support your something from nothing addendum to the Casimir Effect?
OK. I choose science.
I'll personally offer you $500,000, if you can define pi to the last digit.
I'll give you $1,000,000 if you can prove what the meaning of life is.
I'll give you $1,000,000,000 if you can prove creationism.
This is such a load of bovine excrement, that nobody with any functioning brain-cells would take this seriously...
You might say, "well I don't believe in your evolution theory or any other 'science'". I understand that, but that denial also evidences my assertion that when it comes to truth, your allegiance is totally and finally only to your God apart from anything Science might have to say about the subject. In other words, from my perspective, you exclude the possibility of Science and anything Scientists might have to say about what is true simply because of your apriori desire to remain loyal and connected to your God. That prior commitment to your connection to God is what causes you to admit or reject whatever evidence comes before you. You epistemologically filter all evidence through your allegiance to God so that you will admit no fact that threatens your connection to God.
Hmmm....?
Agree completely!
So, it turns out, does the Pope:
Pope John Paul II -- Pontifical Academy of Sciences -- October 23, 1996
"Today, almost half a century after the publication of the encyclical, new knowledge has led to the recognition of the theory of evolution as more than a hypothesis."
"It is indeed remarkable that this theory has been progressively accepted by researchers, following a series of discoveries in various fields of knowledge. The convergence, neither sought nor fabricated, of the results of work that was conducted independently is in itself a significant argument in favor of this theory."
"For my part, when I received those taking part in your Academy's plenary assembly on 31 October 1992, I had the opportunity, with regard to Galileo, to draw attention to the need of a rigorous hermeneutic for the correct interpretation of the inspired word. It is necessary to determine the proper sense of Scripture, while avoiding any unwarranted interpretations that make it say what it does not intend to say. In order to delineate the field of their own study, the exegete and the theologian must keep informed about the results achieved by the natural sciences."
Prove to me that Christ is not just another myth. I am sceptical on all religions. I guess I fall squarely in the Agnostic camp. (I personally do not buy the myth of an afterlife).
With all due respect, if the Greeks did it, and the Romans did it, why is it not feasible that "ancient Biblical writers" also dabbled in such forms of entertainment?
You've got to admit, the Bible has it all: sex, violence, love, betrayal, vengence, compassion, miracles, you name it. Makes a hell of a movie. Ask any Charlton Heston fan.
Hey, gotta keep it interesting. :-)
The last digit in the 10-adics is 3. Of course there is no first digit.
Hmmm... "blind". I've heard the term "blind faith." Have you ever heard the term "blind science?" Neither have I.
...thank God I wasn't born to a cold, paganistic, empty-soul carcass like you.
A little miffed, are we? The fact that I don't agree with your point of view makes me neither cold, paganistic, nor empty-souled. But the fact that you resort to childish name-calling when you don't make headway speaks volumes about you, and says much more than anything I would ever accuse you of.
I have no pity for you though, you've sealed your fate with a double-riveted steel door.
I don't believe you have any authority when it comes to the subject of my fate. Nor do I believe that you are reflecting God's sentiment on this particular matter.
"It is as useless to argue with those who have renounced the use and authority of reason as to administer medication to the dead."-- Thomas Jefferson
I believe yours falls under the heading of "pathetic personal attack."
And who put you in charge of determining who does and who does not belong in this forum?
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