That conversation.

This chapter has been written at a level for the reader to converse with an evolutionist. This does mean that you need a basic understanding of previous chapters to give the reader a confidence in the position that a creationist/Christian should hold. There is not enough space here for the reader to have enough information to accost a confirmed evolutionist so read this book.

All you will get from an evolutionist is ridicule and insult because that is their only argument. Statements from evolutionists like “I like you very much as a person/friend/partner but I am disappointed that your level of science is so elementary” can floor you if you have not digested even this chapter.

The safest position to take is to ask questions. For example: “What do you mean by ’evolution’?” “What evidence is there for evolution?”

A useful conversation would go like this:

You: “Give one example of a transitional form.”

Them: “. . . . . . . . . “

You: “Give one example of a transitional form, living or fossil.”

Them: “How about the whale . . . . “

You cut in because you know they are going to mention the pelvic bone: “Yes that supposed pelvic bone is required for reproduction and originates from different chromosomes/genes than the skeleton. In any case the whale is not a transitional form even if that structure was a rudimentary pelvic bone.”

You (again): “Give one example of a transitional form.”

Them: “Piltdown Man. . . . . . Well for every transitional form I offer you are just going to want another one.”

You: “Piltdown Man was a hoax – a forgery. Let us look at the Rock hyrax (dassie) and the Elephant – they are visually so different from each other but they are depicted on the same branch of the evolutionary tree.”

“Or perhaps the cow and the whale, or the snail and the squid, or ape and man. All close “relatives” on the evolutionary tree”. You continue: “How many transitional forms would one wildly estimate there are between them? Think of the differences between ears, trunk, feet and locomotion, digestive system, reproduction, brain, eyes, teeth and tusks, skeleton, brain, fur . . . . 100,000 or more likely millions of transitional forms.?”

Them: “I suppose so.”

You: “Then perhaps it would be reasonable for me to need two or three sequential transitional forms out of millions. But give me one for now.”

They will probably branch out in one of six directions:

1)They will say sarcastically “So you are saying they were all created by God in a couple of days?” Though you may believe that you did not say it. They are trying to change the subject by throwing down a red herring. Keep on track- you are talking about evolution, not creationism. Just repeat your question.

2)They may try to present the insecticide or antibiotic example where bugs and bacteria become immune. You have read this book so you know that this is micro-evolution not an example of macro-evolution/speciation. The bugs and bacteria are still bugs and bacteria.

3)They may say mutations and survival of the fittest and paint you a fairy tale of how the cow changed over millions of years to a whale. Remember that evolution is the theory and using that as an argument is begging the question. There are no documented examples of this happening, and we know that mutations are usually fatal. (see elsewhere in this book) Answers are typically fluffed out with “perhaps”, “maybe”, “it can be imagined”, “it must have”, “probably”. Watch out for these words.

4)They may say that science and laboratory equipment is so much more advanced than in Darwin’s day, so don’t you know, the evolution issue is settled. Bad argument. The advances in science has actually disproved evolution, and shown it to be a hoax.

5)They may quote professor so-and-so to prove evolution. That is a fallacy - referring to an authority. You can also refer to authorities who differ from theirs.

6)They may go the liberalist route of just insulting you, even denigrating your intelligence or personality. Keep calm. Ask them to explain what their insults have to do with the conversation about transitional forms.

Know your stuff. There are more internet sites today offering information than ever before because the real science militates against evolution. Use the kewords ‘evolution’ and ‘creation’, or’ intelligent design’. (ID)

It has been said, the more you sweat in practice, the less you will bleed in battle.