tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7816993466458431323.post3281075330741535245..comments2023-03-03T10:19:50.651-05:00Comments on Reflections of a Catholic Scientist: A Lesson from Two Homilies: Don't Argue on the Internet.duhemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08742949750689428697noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7816993466458431323.post-90647627142476337422014-02-12T10:59:16.578-05:002014-02-12T10:59:16.578-05:00Thank you for your comment, Harry. I think the b...Thank you for your comment, Harry. I think the best arguments against Young Earth Creationism have been given by Kenneth Miller, a biologist at Brown University, in his book "Finding Darwin's God". The problem with "debating" with Young Earth creationists is that they deny the validity of your premises (e.g. astronomical data and physical laws showing the approximate age of the universe) while maintaining theirs, so there's no commonality of what is truth. And given premises, you can prove anything--Bertrand Russell gave as a premise that the Universe was created 2 seconds ago (or some such similar time) with implanted memories, etc., and you can't disprove that.<br />My next post is going to be "Are we hard-wired for faith: neuroimaging and the religious experience"...in process.. :>) <br />Again, thanks for your comment.duhemhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08742949750689428697noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7816993466458431323.post-23398360449264783972014-02-12T10:33:20.639-05:002014-02-12T10:33:20.639-05:00Greetings Dr. Kurland.
I've just discovered y...Greetings Dr. Kurland.<br /><br />I've just discovered your blog and must say I thoroughly enjoy your writing. I am a Ph.D. biochemist in the process of entering the Roman Catholic Church, so your insight is particularly edifying for me.<br /><br /> If I may ask, what are the arguments you offer to a young earth creationist for an old earth? I think the best evidence for an old earth is 1) the age of the universe; 2) radiometric dating of archaeological sites like Gobekli Tepe in Turkey ( maybe >12,000 years old) or those newly discovered cave paintings in France ( maybe > 30,000-40,000 yrs). I understand the assumptions and limitations of radiometric dating, but I don't think the technology has a 6 order of magnitude error bar ( 10,000 years vs 14,000,000,000 years for ages of the earth/universe). <br /><br />Your thoughts would be greatly appreciated.<br /><br />I look forward to your next essay.<br /><br />Harry Woodward<br />doow01@gmail.comAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15359172609449051667noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7816993466458431323.post-118882454566167562014-02-11T22:18:47.213-05:002014-02-11T22:18:47.213-05:00Thanks Ben... That's a good reply to give and ...Thanks Ben... That's a good reply to give and still not argue.<br />Shalom,<br />duhemhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08742949750689428697noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7816993466458431323.post-16063348876199103392014-02-11T21:37:21.441-05:002014-02-11T21:37:21.441-05:00“Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone ...“Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.” 1 Peter 3:15<br /><br />At least if we have done this, we have done well.<br />Peace.Benhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11953563578914140396noreply@blogger.com