(September 17, 2015 at 9:34 pm)Lemonvariable72 Wrote:(September 17, 2015 at 4:42 pm)Faith No More Wrote: That could backfire, though. They'd inevitabely get into a scriptual debate over the topic, which would support the creationist side, and the people in the audience would find that more relevant than the actual scientific debate. ,
It may just be the best thing to say, "This isn't even a debate worth having," and leave it at that.
The issue is that the creationists are already being taken seriously by a non critical audience. If no one challenges them they just spread their bullshit unopposed.
You're really over estimating the importance and educational value of formal debates. With debates I'm worried about backfire effect which is when evidence and arguments against people's beliefs cause them to become more convinced of their beliefs instead of changing their minds. http://www.skepdic.com/backfireeffect.html
TV shows like Nova, Nature, and educational science shows for kids are likely the best way to go for educating the general public in a non-argumentative way.
It is very important not to mistake hemlock for parsley, but to believe or not believe in God is not important at all. - Denis Diderot
We are the United States of Amnesia, we learn nothing because we remember nothing. - Gore Vidal
We are the United States of Amnesia, we learn nothing because we remember nothing. - Gore Vidal
