CompuServe Thread

#Spontaneous Generation

7 messages in this thread
#167070From: Rick NolleFeb 10, 1995 12:51 PM
>>How do you explain the fact that various species came into existence and became extinct at different times in the earth's history? (Or perhaps you don't regard it as a fact?)<< What kind of question is that? Of course I can't explain it…and of course I accept it as a fact. Why would you think otherwise? One of the problems on this thread is becomming very clear to me now. Many people are arguing with things that I didn't even say AND things that they think creationists believe. – Bill
#167118From: Rob SacksFeb 10, 1995 6:25 PM
Bill, >> What kind of question is that? Of course I can't explain it… and of course I accept it as a fact. Why would you think otherwise? Thanks for answering my question. I didn't think otherwise; rather, I was trying to be respectful by not making assumptions about what you believe. >> One of the problems on this thread is becoming very clear to me now. Many people are arguing with things that I didn't even say AND things that they think creationists believe. Perhaps so, but I'm not one of those people. I didn't ask this question to argue with you. I asked because I was curious about your opinions. I know next to nothing about what creationists believe, but I'm curious to find out, and I hope you'll explain more about what you _do_ believe. I would find this much more interesting than your critique of modern biology. I have no interest in arguing with you, and I'm somewhat bemused by the people here who do. My mother taught me a long time ago not to argue with people about their religions, and I've always found this to be a good piece of advice. — Rob
#167140From: Vladimir SvetlovFeb 10, 1995 10:13 PM
Rob, >I know next to nothing about what creationists believe, but I'm curious to find out, and I hope you'll explain more about what you _do_ believe. I would find this much more interesting than your critique of modern biology. I have no interest in arguing with you, and I'm somewhat bemused by the people here who do. My mother taught me a long time ago not to argue with people about their religions, and I've always found this to be a good piece of advice. < I've got no other choice at this poiny but to remind you that this is still a Biology forum and that habitual creationists' beliefs can be studied with comfort (for all parties) at Religion forum. If you intend to explore Bill's personal beliefs detached from "modern biology" at this forum I'd greatly appreciate if you select a specific name for this thread – this will save us all a bit of bemusement. Regards, Vlad
#167212From: Rob SacksFeb 11, 1995 9:50 AM
Vlad, >> I've got no other choice at this point but to remind you that this is still a Biology forum and that habitual creationists' beliefs can be studied with comfort (for all parties) at Religion forum. You're quite right. My apologies. — Rob
#167307From: Vladimir SvetlovFeb 11, 1995 5:28 PM
Hi, Rob! No apologies were needed. I was merely trying to keep the discussion as scientific as possible. From my experience visiting religion and atheism forums I'd try to avoid stepping into areas of personal beliefs, it tends to become non-productive. Regards, Vlad
#167160From: Donald J. JohnsonFeb 10, 1995 10:59 PM
Rob, I'm not arguing with Bill about his religion; I'm not sure if anyone else here is either. As it happens, I'm a Christian too. People are arguing with Bill over his statements about biology, and a mistake he made in doing a probability calculation. That is natural enough, since this is the biology section of the Science/Math Forum. Don
#167213From: Rob SacksFeb 11, 1995 9:50 AM
Don, Good to talk to you again. >> I'm not arguing with Bill about his religion; I'm not sure if anyone else here is either. Of course you regard the subject of this thread as science, not religion. So do I and so do most of the people here. My remark — which was addressed to Bill — was my way of saying that _he_ evidently regards these questions otherwise, as matters of religion. This is the only conclusion I can draw from the imperviousness of his ideas to the knowledgeable and reasonable corrections he has received here. — Rob