Evolution vs Creation

[Pat]

Hi,

As part of "Darwin 200", we're going to run an Evolution/Creation "event" sometime this year, in my northerly part of the world, as a local British Science Association branch event.

I'm still working out what exactly will be expected from it.
I'm not keen on the idea of a traditional debate as I don't think anyone would leave the venue on the other side of the fence than they arrived on.

I'm an engineer with a general interest in all branches of science. I have a very strong tendency towards believing the Evolution version of events, but I've come across one or two folk who have gained my respect for other reasons, that are Creationists.

One possible outcome of this event could be to get a range of people from both sides together for a day and just give everyone an awareness of each other's point of view and why they believe what they believe.

I have my own developing ideas of how this event will pan out and what topics could be discussed.

But can anyone help me structure it?

If anyone else has creationist friends, from any viewpoint or religion and would like them to join the discussion, please encourage them to register and join in

[NC]

Dear Pat,

How you might choose to structure such an event would very much depend on what the ultimate objectives might be.  If you want to make people with differing views more aware of each other's viewpoints, then it would be helpful to have as broad a spectrum represented as possible.  The danger with inviting two extreme poles to engage with each other would be that you could probably just end up with a rhetorical competition and little genuine engagement.

Before organising such an event, I'd thoroughly recommend reading the following recent report:

http://campaigndirector.moodia.com/Client/Theos/Files/RescuingDarwin.pdf

I would draw particular attention to the following quotes:

"Both Darwin’s position and his spirit of engagement need to be rescued from the crossfire of a battle between the militant godly and militant godless who, though poles apart on so many issues, seem to agree that evolution threatens belief in God.  Only when rescued, and restored as a scientific rather than (anti-)theological theory, will the popular reception of evolution match the scientific one."

I hope this is helpful.

Good luck!

[Pat]

Thank you NC,

this is extremely helpful. Your quote crystallised my own thoughts and has maybe given me a focus for the event, or a reason for it.
I'll read the full report and I'm sure it'll advance my understanding

[Administrator]

Hi,

I'm an engineer with a general interest in all branches of science. I have a very strong tendency towards believing the Evolution version of events, but I've come across one or two folk who have gained my respect for other reasons, that are Creationists.

One possible outcome of this event could be to get a range of people from both sides together for a day and just give everyone an awareness of each other's point of view and why they believe what they believe.

I have my own developing ideas of how this event will pan out and what topics could be discussed.

But can anyone help me structure it?

If anyone else has creationist friends, from any viewpoint or religion and would like them to join the discussion, please encourage them to register and join in

Hi Pat,

We ran an event at the Derby Multi-Faith Centre in June 2008 at which I debated with Randall Hardy of Creation Research UK (www.amen.org.uk/cr). The results have been podcast at http://scipodem.wordpress.com/2008/06/10/has-science-done-away-with-god/ which also includes the slides.

We each gave a presentation, then we all had supper and a round-table discussion. I thought the event was very interesting and enjoyable, and Randall was a delightful chap. I had to take the science side since I could find no biologist in the East Midlands willing to share the stage, which was a bit disappointing.

Phil Brown

[Pat]

Many thanks Phil,

I need all the help I can get with this one and I'll definitely follow up the link