Posted by Walker on July 06, 1998 at 16:49:52:
In Reply to: Abiogenesis posted by rpcman on July 02, 1998 at 14:12:21:
So where’s the debate?
I read A. Ellington’s summary of abiogenesis for the fourth time. This glossary helped:
http://fbox.vt.edu:10021/cals/cses/chagedor/glossary.html
I understand it better but my opinion hasn’t changed. You guys can help out a lot. Let’s get going. Remember that nothing less than our eternal salvation is at stake.
Might I suggest some possible strategies for the combatants:
rpcman:
1. Provide surveillance tapes of all components of the earth during the first billion years. The tapes must show at all levels (molecular on up) that God never stepped in to assist the formation of rna replicators or their precursors.
2. Demonstrate that rna replicators (or precursors) can form by themselves under conditions similar to what earth was like 4.5-3.5 billion years ago. Then make a case that since God wasn’t needed, He probably didn’t assist.
3. Prove that God does not exist.
4. Challenge Robert O’Brian to summon God or one of His assistants as a witness. When Robert O’Brian fails to do so, make a case that if God won’t take part in our debate, won’t talk to us, let alone teach us something about the creation, why should we believe He exists, let alone creates worlds.
Robert O’Brian:
1. Establish that the Bible is true, then show scripturally how the creation story and primordial soup are mutually exclusive.
2. Have God appear and testify in your behalf. Have him show how He created life and explain why it could not have happened on its own.
3. Provide surveillance tapes of the Earth in its first one billion years. Show where God stepped in and caused life to form. You must explain what powers he is using and why life couldn’t have formed without those powers.
4. Attack the popular scientific theories on abiogenesis. Show why none of them are viable. Show that no earth process/environment or cosmic event could have produced the first self replicator.
Good luck and God bless.