Should Scientists Dialogue With ID, YEC, and OEC?

[Patrick]

@Jordan

But quite often, in my experience, is that transitions happen when people find someone they trust with a different view. I was definitely influenced by Francis Collins, not so much because of rock-solid arguments, but because I grew up in a culture that didn’t think he could exist (an Evangelical Christian, credible scientist, mainstream view on evolution). He established that it was a legitimate possibility to hold to mainstream science without tossing orthodox Christianity. Darrel Falk was another influential person for me because he, unlike some others in the TE camp, was understanding of good intentions of the vast majority of YEC/OEC people.

You’re not going to convince Ken Ham, but you may convince many people who currently listen to Ken Ham.

Francis Collins and Darrel Falk are the kind of Christians that most atheists would admire. They are not an impediment to the progress in science, reasoning, nor social change, Collins is an actual driver of that change through NIH. The real problem with all of the discussion around various creation beliefs and science is that it is holding back science and progress in social change. Christianity and Islam are holding back global social change and progress. Christianity is no longer the beacon of freedom for the oppressed. It has become the oppressor by holding on to archaic morals, values and ethics in gender, sexuality, freedom of thought, immigration, pursuit of happiness, even how we can die.