Creation/evolution3

[Chas]

In the case of evolution, we know that natural selection causes changes to a genome.

No, it doesn't.

Mutation and errors in transcription cause changes to the genome.
Differential reproductive success is the sieve that called natural selection.

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My understanding of science is that somebody develops a hypothesis and then tests that hypothesis using data that was not available to develop the hypothesis (otherwise we get the Texas sharpshooter fallacy http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Texas_sharpshooter_fallacy ).

We use all the data available to us to form a hypothesis.

The hypothesis can be developed any way we want - as long as it isn't developed using the same data we use to test it later. A person can develop a hypothesis by consulting a Ouija board if he/she wants.

The hypothesis is tested against new data. It was already consistent with existing data.

The data we use to test the hypothesis can be from the past - as long as it isn't used to develop the hypothesis. So a newly discovered fossil can be used to test the theory of evolution. Likewise a newly observed star from billions of years ago can be used to test the theory of the Big Bang.

I suggest that a clearer way to think about that is that the newly discovered fossil is new data.

So evolution and the Big Bang are perfectly scientific. (Again, I hope somebody will correct me if I have the details wrong in my explanation.)

I tried to clarify a little.

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Not even close. If you cannot show me, then it is not empirical. If it cannot be examined then it is not empirical. Let us have lunch sometime with a war veteran that is missing a limb and have your god regrow it on the spot. Now we have some empirical evidence that can be examined. It does not yet prove that god exits, but it does make the hypothesis plausible and worth investigating.

IMO, Drich's beliefs are empirical, because they are based on his own experiences and not based solely on logic. The problem with Drich's claims is that many ex-Christians and current Christians have failed to replicate his results using his A/S/K method. Drich says they gave up too soon or knocked on the wrong doors, but I say Drich should consider other explanations for his experiences. (Of course if he's happy believing what he believes then that's great. Good for him. )

Here is the dictionary definition of empirical:

Empirical evidence (also empirical data, sense experience, empirical knowledge, or the a posteriori) is a source of knowledge acquired by means of observation or experimentation.[1] The term comes from the Greek word for experience, ἐμπειρία (empeiría).

Empirical evidence is information that justifies a belief in the truth or falsity of a claim. In the empiricist view, one can claim to have knowledge only when one has a true belief based on empirical evidence. This stands in contrast to the rationalist view under which reason or reflection alone is considered to be evidence for the truth or falsity of some propositions. The senses are the primary source of empirical evidence. Although other sources of evidence, such as memory and the testimony of others, ultimately trace back to some sensory experience, they are considered to be secondary, or indirect.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Empirical_evidence

That definition does not allow "stuff that happened only in my head" which is what Drich wants it to say and you seem to want to let in.

For example, if you say you see auras around people, that is not empirical evidence of auras.