A LITTLE ABOUT ME -- JOHN MARK KING I would like to thank you for inviting me to this group. Before I begin posting here, I thought that I ought to introduce myself, identify my particular world view, and make some statement regarding my approach to debate. So, here goes: 1). Yes, I am a Bible believing Creationist. However just because I believe in the Bible does NOT mean that I somehow gave up a belief in science I still very much believe in science, and in fact love science. I REJECT the argument that the Creation vs. Evolution Debate = religion versus science BOTH Creationism, and EvolutionISM are RELIGIONS-- BOTH ultimately rest upon a foundation of BELIEF. For example, an Evolutionist can no more prove the idea that the universe began 15 billion years ago or that the Earth began 4.5 billion years ago than I can prove both began 6,000. Ultimately both Creationist and Evolutionist have to rest on what they believe. Now, BOTH Creationist and Evolutionists USE SCIENCE (that is a SYSTEM of investigation, utilising what is OBSERVABLE, and what is DEMONSTRABLE in models -- either in lab, or in nature) to argue their points. BOTH will take the same evidence that is simply there, and offer an INTERPRETATION hoping to demonstrate that the evidence best fits their respective belief. But the debate itself is between TWO BELIEF SYSTEMS, neither of which are scientific by and of themselves, but which utilise the sciences to argue their points. 2). As some of you may have noted I sometime will include words in ALL CAPS in my posts. (haha!) Whereas I understand that according to some internet etiquette that is taken to mean Shouting and /or anger I wish everyone here to know that such is NOT MY INTENT. I use all caps for EMPHASIS since we do not have the underline or even italics capability here. So for those who in past posts or replies might have thought that I was angry or shouting I apologise now because such has never been the case. 3). I prefer open and honest debate, and though I am in NO POSITION to be laying down any rules (since I am not an admin here) I would at least appreciate if when debating me, that a few respects be a rule between us: a). Let the evidence lead where it may. All evidence -- from either side -- is subject to scrutiny of course, but I say so is neither evidence nor adequate rebuttal. b). Neither side should be expected to come up with an answer to a challenge at all times-- come on folks we are not walking encyclopedias here. I will allow time for those in the Evolution camp to assemble evidence and/or material together. c). If either side is going to criticise a paper or video, they should at least read some portion of it, or watch the video before doing so. Just saying Oh, thats stupid and Im not going to waste my time watching it is NOT scientific, and therefore should NOT be accepted as adequate rebuttal. d). PLEASE no insults. Mocking each other is NOT a pursuit of truth, but either a desperate attempt to belittle the opposition when one does not have their facts ready, or -- temper when someone does this to you (and yes, I have been guilty of these in my lifetime) e). Again on a personal note, some of you may have already noticed that I tend to spell words funny. I might write the word specialise instead of specialize or colour instead of color NO, this is NOT misspelling (though I do that too from time to time) but rather I have a strange preference for British orthography (and no, I am not a British subject-- American born and bred) OK, that is a little bit about me. I hope that we can actually do something here that proves to be worthwhile God bless!!! JMK
Posted on: Tue, 11 Mar 2014 02:46:21 +0000