I think the problem is that the past cannot be replicated, so the issue simply cannot be proven. The scientific method can be “used in studies of the past”, but by your own words in post #26, “The theory of evolution is a theory. The problem is not the theory itself, but the implications.” So why should such un-replicatable theories be taught to school children when the implications of the theory are evil?
1. No scientific theory can be proved. Not one!
2. In science, the highest level you can reach is that of a theory. You and other creationists seek to degrade the theory of evolution by referring to it as a theory, as if there were some higher level it could reach. There is not.
3. Replication is not necessary in science. It is nice to have in those fields where it is possible, but the fields that can't do replication make do with what they have. Predictions are one way they do so. This works as follows: If this aspect of the theory is correct, we should see this fossil in that stratum in that location. They then go and look. If the fossil is found, the theory is supported.
4. The implications of a theory have no bearing on the accuracy of a theory. That fundamentalists see the theory of evolution as opposing their religious viewpoints has nothing to do with either science in general or the theory of evolution in particular. There are many other religious believers who have no problem with the theory of evolution or its implications; Catholics, for example. Science simply can't be held hostage to religious beliefs. We settled that with the Enlightenment.
5. The implications of the theory of evolution are not evil. That is silly. You, and those who believe as you do, simply disagree with them for religious reasons. That man descended from apes is pretty much an established fact, and facts are neither good nor evil. They just are.
As an aside, I like the format you are trying here. I haven't even been called a Nazi yet (but the day is still young).
No scientific theory can be proved. Not one!
***Interesting assertion. Is there some unbiased gold standard that we could both refer to on this issue? Because when I was in college, my biology grade depended upon the biology professor who just happened to say, “The Theory of Evolution was PROVEN when Darwin went to the Galapagos Islands.” He was obviously an authority on the subject, so how do we Freepers resolve this conundrum?
The implications of the theory of evolution are not evil.
***I disagree. Earlier you said “The problem is not the theory itself, but the implications.” I agreed with that statement, so in the spirit of ecumenism we should probably focus on our area of agreement. Recall that your next sentence was “Some folks object to the implications for religious reasons, and hence attack the theory using flawed science” and I challenged you to point out where the flawed science was in xjcsa’s post and you have not.
As an aside, I like the format you are trying here.
***Glad you like it. I do think the format works a tad better. Keep in mind that anyone is allowed to open threads using this approach.
I haven’t even been called a Nazi yet (but the day is still young).
***I’ve been called a fascist on this thread. Don’t say I never did nuthin’ for ya. And if anyone does call you a Nazi, I’ll be glad to be the first one to bring it to the mod’s attention.