The Creation/Evolution DebateThe Creation/Evolution Debate
TopicsTopicsWhat is critical thinking?10 logical fallacies An amazing case study in deceptionAmazing creatures
What is critical thinking?10 logical fallacies An amazing case study in deceptionAmazing creatures
Thinking About Thinking!Thinking About Thinking!
Critical thinking is the art of thinking about your thinking while you are thinking in order to make your thinking better
Critical thinking is the art of thinking about your thinking while you are thinking in order to make your thinking better
What did he say?
The Purpose of Critical ThinkingThe Purpose of Critical Thinking
Achieve understanding Evaluate view points Solve problems
Achieve understanding Evaluate view points Solve problems
The purpose of critical thinking is to:The purpose of critical thinking is to:
Critical thinking involves the use of questioning or inquiry techniques
Critical thinking involves the use of questioning or inquiry techniques
This is why evolutionists do not want critical thinking in the biology class
This is why evolutionists do not want critical thinking in the biology class
10 tactics and logical fallacies used to
discredit creation and promote evolutionism
10 tactics and logical fallacies used to
discredit creation and promote evolutionism
PART 1
Fuzzy WordsFuzzy Words
We believe, we think Given enough time, it will happen Might work Must have…
We believe, we think Given enough time, it will happen Might work Must have…
“Those life forms must have evolved in the absence of oxygen,…”
Biology, Miller and Levine, 2002, p. 426.
“Those life forms must have evolved in the absence of oxygen,…”
Biology, Miller and Levine, 2002, p. 426.
Could possibly have been My guess is Seems like
Could possibly have been My guess is Seems like
11
Half TruthHalf Truth
Half true and half false Often more effective than the
complete lie
Half true and half false Often more effective than the
complete lie
The Second Law of Thermodynamics only applies to isolated systems, so it is not relevant to evolution, because the earth is an open system.
The Second Law of Thermodynamics only applies to isolated systems, so it is not relevant to evolution, because the earth is an open system.
22
BandwagonBandwagon
All scientists accept evolution
No real scientist accepts creation
All scientists accept evolution
No real scientist accepts creation
The appeal to “everyone agrees”The appeal to “everyone agrees”
www.AnswersInGenesis.orgwww.ICR.org
www.AnswersInGenesis.orgwww.ICR.org
33
RidiculeRidicule
Attempting to provoke a dislike against a person or idea by name-callingAttempting to provoke a dislike against a person or idea by name-calling
Creationists are troglodytes and flat-earthers.Creationists are troglodytes and flat-earthers.
44
Either-Or FallacyEither-Or Fallacy
Presenting only one possible solution when others are justifiedPresenting only one possible solution when others are justified
If we teach creation then we will have to teach every other creation myth.If we teach creation then we will have to teach every other creation myth.
55
AnalogyAnalogy
Improperly drawing parallels while ignoring pertinent differencesImproperly drawing parallels while ignoring pertinent differences
Evolution is a fact like digestion or gravity.Evolution is a fact like digestion or gravity.
66
Forgetting that it is your responsibility to prove a claim, not your opponents to disprove it.
Forgetting that it is your responsibility to prove a claim, not your opponents to disprove it.
The claim that creation has no proof and therefore should not be taught, when evolution has never been proven or is even capable of proof.
The claim that creation has no proof and therefore should not be taught, when evolution has never been proven or is even capable of proof.
77Shifting the Burden of ProofShifting the Burden of Proof
EquivocationEquivocation
Confusing the issue by using vague terms or changing the definitions of words
Confusing the issue by using vague terms or changing the definitions of words
Changing the definition of science to support only evolutionChanging the definition of science to support only evolution
Not defining terms such as natural selection or microevolutionNot defining terms such as natural selection or microevolution
88
BluffingBluffing
Appearing to know more than you doAppearing to know more than you do
Making the claim that the fossil record is full of transitional fossilsMaking the claim that the fossil record is full of transitional fossils
Dinosaurs evolved into birds.Dinosaurs evolved into birds.
99
AppeasementAppeasement
The appeal that we're not really so differentThe appeal that we're not really so different
Most religions don’t have a problem with evolution.Most religions don’t have a problem with evolution.
1010
Lucy and the Australopithecines
Lucy and the Australopithecines
Critical ThinkingCritical Thinking
What we see and read in textbooks is not always what was found or realWhat we see and read in textbooks is not always what was found or real
Pictures and RealityPictures and Reality
Artistic conceptionArtistic conceptionAustralopithecus
africanusAustralopithecus
africanus
What do you notice about this picture?What do you notice about this picture?
Evolutionary PreconceptionEvolutionary Preconception
“I wanted to get a human soul into this ape-like face, to indicate something about where he was headed.”
“I wanted to get a human soul into this ape-like face, to indicate something about where he was headed.”
John Gurche, artist, National Geographic, March, 1996 p. 109.John Gurche, artist, National Geographic, March, 1996 p. 109.
Lucy: Two QuestionsLucy: Two Questions
What was found?Did Lucy walk upright?
What was found?Did Lucy walk upright?
Note: Lucy is our ancestor
What Was Found?What Was Found?
Lucy discovered in 1974About 40% of the fossil was foundClaimed to be 3.5 million years oldClaimed bipedal
Lucy discovered in 1974About 40% of the fossil was foundClaimed to be 3.5 million years oldClaimed bipedal
LucyLucy
No foot bonesNo foot bones
Did Lucy Walk UprightDid Lucy Walk Upright
1. The rib cage
2. The pelvis
3. Leg and foot bones
1. The rib cage
2. The pelvis
3. Leg and foot bones
To determine if Lucy walked upright three areas of anatomy can be examinedTo determine if Lucy walked upright three areas of anatomy can be examined
Rib CageRib CageApe ribs are conical shapedHuman ribs are barrel-like
Ape ribs are conical shapedHuman ribs are barrel-like
Human: Barrel-likeHuman: Barrel-like Ape: Conical shapeApe: Conical shape
Lucy’s Rib CageLucy’s Rib Cage
“I noticed that the ribs [Lucy] were more round in cross-section, more like what you see in apes. Human ribs are flatter in cross-section.
But the shape of the rib cage itself was the biggest surprise of all. The human rib cage is barrel shaped, and I just couldn’t get Lucy’s ribs to fit this kind of shape.”
“I noticed that the ribs [Lucy] were more round in cross-section, more like what you see in apes. Human ribs are flatter in cross-section.
But the shape of the rib cage itself was the biggest surprise of all. The human rib cage is barrel shaped, and I just couldn’t get Lucy’s ribs to fit this kind of shape.”
Peter Schmid (paleontologist at the Anthropological Institute in Zurich) Quoted from Origins reconsidered: In Search of What Makes Us Human by Richard Leakey and Roger Lewin
Peter Schmid (paleontologist at the Anthropological Institute in Zurich) Quoted from Origins reconsidered: In Search of What Makes Us Human by Richard Leakey and Roger Lewin
Lucy’s Rib CageLucy’s Rib Cage
“In Lucy’s case, her ribs are conical, like those found in apes.”“In Lucy’s case, her ribs are conical, like those found in apes.”
Brad Harrub (Ph.D. Anatomy and Neurobiology) and Bert Thompson (Ph.D. Microbiology), The Truth About Human Origins, 2003, p. 47.
Brad Harrub (Ph.D. Anatomy and Neurobiology) and Bert Thompson (Ph.D. Microbiology), The Truth About Human Origins, 2003, p. 47.
HumanHuman LucyLucy
Chimp vs. Human PelvisChimp vs. Human Pelvis
ChimpChimp
HumanHuman
Lucy’s PelvisLucy’s Pelvis
“The marked resemblance of AL 288-1 (Lucy) to the chimpanzee is equally obvious…
It suggests to us that the mechanism of lateral pelvic balance during bipedalism was closer to that in apes than in humans.”
“The marked resemblance of AL 288-1 (Lucy) to the chimpanzee is equally obvious…
It suggests to us that the mechanism of lateral pelvic balance during bipedalism was closer to that in apes than in humans.”
J. Stern & R. Sussman, “American Journal ofPhysical Anthropology,” 1983, pp. 291 & 292.J. Stern & R. Sussman, “American Journal ofPhysical Anthropology,” 1983, pp. 291 & 292.
Knee Joint of A. afarensisKnee Joint of A. afarensis
15° carrying angle (valgus)
Human = 9°Gorilla = 0°Chimp = 0°
15° carrying angle (valgus)
Human = 9°Gorilla = 0°Chimp = 0°
Orangutan = 9°Spider monkey = 9°
Critical ThinkingCritical Thinking
How Evolution Hinders How Evolution Hinders Critical Thinking and Critical Thinking and
ScienceScience
Rib cagePelvisCarrying angle
Lucy could NOT walk uprightLucy could NOT walk upright
Footprints in History
Apes and Humans – a TestApes and Humans – a Test
Which footprint is human?Which footprint is human?
HumanHuman
Laetoli FootprintsLaetoli FootprintsFootprints discovered in 1978 in Laetoli, Tanzania. The footprints were dated at 3.5 million years old.
Footprints discovered in 1978 in Laetoli, Tanzania. The footprints were dated at 3.5 million years old.
Who made these footprints?
Ape and Human FootprintsApe and Human Footprints
Ape(Lucy)Ape
(Lucy)HumanHuman Laetoli footprintLaetoli footprint
Human ShapeHuman Shape
Human FootprintsHuman Footprints
“The uneroded footprints show a total morphological pattern like seen in modern humans.”
“The uneroded footprints show a total morphological pattern like seen in modern humans.”
Tim White, “Evolutionary Implications of Pliocene Hominid Footprints,” Science, April 1989, p. 175.Tim White, “Evolutionary Implications of Pliocene Hominid Footprints,” Science, April 1989, p. 175.
Who made these footprints?
Lucy’s FeetLucy’s Feet
“…anatomist Dr. Charles Oxnard has shown that the big toe [Lucy’s] actually sticks out as in chimpanzees.”
“…anatomist Dr. Charles Oxnard has shown that the big toe [Lucy’s] actually sticks out as in chimpanzees.”
David Catchpoole, Ph.D., “New evidence: Lucy was a knuckle-walker”, www.answersingenesis.org/docs2/4256news5-5-2000.asp
David Catchpoole, Ph.D., “New evidence: Lucy was a knuckle-walker”, www.answersingenesis.org/docs2/4256news5-5-2000.asp
A DilemmaA Dilemma
The footprints in Tanzania are human in shape
Lucy’s feet are ape-like
The footprints in Tanzania are human in shape
Lucy’s feet are ape-like
The footprints are 3.5 million years old therefore they cannot be made by humans
The footprints are 3.5 million years old therefore they cannot be made by humans
What will the evolutionists do?What will the evolutionists do?
Drawing from Life: The Science of Biology, Purves, Orians, and Heller, 1992, p. 604.
Drawing from Life: The Science of Biology, Purves, Orians, and Heller, 1992, p. 604.
Lucy: What Nice Feet You HaveLucy: What Nice Feet You Have
Lucy: Saint Louis MuseumLucy: Saint Louis Museum
Human foot on LucyHuman foot on Lucy
Evolution Rejects the EvidenceEvolution Rejects the Evidence
“Professor Betsy Schumann, evolutionist expert, admits that the statue's feet ‘probably are not accurate’, but when asked whether the statue should be changed, she says,
“Professor Betsy Schumann, evolutionist expert, admits that the statue's feet ‘probably are not accurate’, but when asked whether the statue should be changed, she says,
‘Absolutely not’.”‘Absolutely not’.”
Confusion about LucyConfusion about Lucy
“Anatomical evidence indicates that A. afarensis was bipedal…”…some anthropologists are convinced by the anatomical evidence that A. afarensis was not a modern biped.”
“Anatomical evidence indicates that A. afarensis was bipedal…”…some anthropologists are convinced by the anatomical evidence that A. afarensis was not a modern biped.”
Robert Boyd and Joan Silk, (professors of anthropology), How Humans Evolved, 2000, pp. 331-334.Robert Boyd and Joan Silk, (professors of anthropology), How Humans Evolved, 2000, pp. 331-334.
Why the confusion?Why aren’t students told about this?
Why the confusion?Why aren’t students told about this?
10 Unique Characteristics10 Unique Characteristics
1. Fine balance2. Flat face3. Upright skull4. Straight back5. Fully extendable hip joints6. Angled femur bones7. Fully extendable knee joints8. Long legs9. Arched feet10. Strong big toes
1. Fine balance2. Flat face3. Upright skull4. Straight back5. Fully extendable hip joints6. Angled femur bones7. Fully extendable knee joints8. Long legs9. Arched feet10. Strong big toes
Textbooks and AccuracyTextbooks and Accuracy
Biology: The Web of Life, 1993 Biology: The Web of Life, 1993
1TeethTeeth
3 Flatter faceFlatter face2Eye socketEye socket
Amazing CreaturesThat Defy Evolution
Amazing CreaturesThat Defy Evolution
GiraffeGiraffe
LeviathanLeviathan
Out of his mouth go burning lamps, and sparks of fire leap out.
Job 41:19
Bombardier BeetleBombardier Beetle
Chemical storage
chamber
Chemical storage
chamber
WoodpeckerWoodpecker
Hard beak Special tail feathers Special cartilage Tongue
Barbs Glue Long
Hard beak Special tail feathers Special cartilage Tongue
Barbs Glue Long
Chuckwalla LizardChuckwalla Lizard
Chuckwalla Table MannersChuckwalla Table Manners
Chuckwalla and saltChuckwalla and salt
Pass the pepper and chuckwalla please
Chicken EggChicken EggEach shell has about 10,000 tiny holes or poresQuestion: How does the chicken form a shell
around a soft, messy egg and design the shell with pores?
Blood vessels
Each shell has about 10,000 tiny holes or poresQuestion: How does the chicken form a shell
around a soft, messy egg and design the shell with pores?
Blood vessels
Chicken EggChicken EggNineteenth day the chick is too bigNineteenth day the chick is too bigThe “egg-tooth”The “egg-tooth”Each step of the chicks development
defies evolutionary thinking
Each step of the chicks development defies evolutionary thinking
True ScienceTrue Science
The history of astronomy
The history of geology
The history of biology
The history of anthropology
The history of astronomy
The history of geology
The history of biology
The history of anthropology
Tuning Up Our Baloney Detector
Tuning Up Our Baloney Detector
Let’s go baloney hunting
False informationMisleading informationDeception by omissionPure baloney
False informationMisleading informationDeception by omissionPure baloney
“Another important find was the footprints of a group of bipedal animals…They reveal small but very humanlike feet,…”
“Another important find was the footprints of a group of bipedal animals…They reveal small but very humanlike feet,…”
Biology: Visualizing Life, Holt, Rinehart, and Winston, 1998, p. 221.Biology: Visualizing Life, Holt, Rinehart, and Winston, 1998, p. 221.
Baloney Detector
BaloneyBaloney
“Lucy’s leg bones indicate that she must have walked upright. She stood about 1 m (3 ft) tall.”
“Lucy’s leg bones indicate that she must have walked upright. She stood about 1 m (3 ft) tall.”
Biology: Principles and Explorations, Holt, Rinehart, and Winston, 2001, p. 307.Biology: Principles and Explorations, Holt, Rinehart, and Winston, 2001, p. 307.
Baloney Detector
BaloneyBaloney
“Some 3.7 million years ago, several bipedal (upright-walking) human animals of the species Australopithecus afarensis left footprints in damp volcanic ash in what is now Tanzania in East Africa.”
“Some 3.7 million years ago, several bipedal (upright-walking) human animals of the species Australopithecus afarensis left footprints in damp volcanic ash in what is now Tanzania in East Africa.”
Biology: Concepts and Connections, 2000, p. 404.Biology: Concepts and Connections, 2000, p. 404.
Baloney Detector
BaloneyBaloney
“But all researchers agree on certain basic facts. We know, for example, that humans evolved from ancestors we share with other living primates such as chimpanzees and apes.”
“But all researchers agree on certain basic facts. We know, for example, that humans evolved from ancestors we share with other living primates such as chimpanzees and apes.”
Biology, Miller and Levine, Prentice Hall, 2000, p. 757.Biology, Miller and Levine, Prentice Hall, 2000, p. 757.
Baloney Detector
BaloneyBaloney
Artist’s depiction of an australopithecine family
Biology Concepts and Connections, Campbell, Mitchell,
and Reece, 2000, p. 404.
Artist’s depiction of an australopithecine family
Biology Concepts and Connections, Campbell, Mitchell,
and Reece, 2000, p. 404.
BaloneyBaloney
Baloney Detector
“An animal dies and sinks into shallow water.”“An animal dies and sinks into shallow water.”
Prentice hall, Science Explorer: Earth Science, 2002Prentice hall, Science Explorer: Earth Science, 2002
BaloneyBaloney
Baloney Detector
“… laying the foundation for cellular biochemistry. Astrochemical analysis hint that quantities of these compounds might have originated in space and fallen to earth in comets, a scenario that may solve the problem of how these constituents arose under the conditions that prevailed when our planet was young.”
“… laying the foundation for cellular biochemistry. Astrochemical analysis hint that quantities of these compounds might have originated in space and fallen to earth in comets, a scenario that may solve the problem of how these constituents arose under the conditions that prevailed when our planet was young.”
Scientific American, July, 2002Scientific American, July, 2002
Baloney Detector
BaloneyBaloney
UN-UN-
Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain
deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world,
and not after Christ
Colossians 2:8(A Warning)
AiG Web Address 00439AiG Web Address 00439
Over 1,000 ArticlesOver 1,000 Articles