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Is modern society in decline? Updated 28 February 2023 (c) 2023 Introduction It is widely believed that modern society is in sharp decline. Among the ills cited are skyrocketing rates of crime, divorce, teenage sex, teenage births and drug abuse; war; and a general decline in personal morality and religiosity. There is also concern that Continue reading Is modern society in decline? What does the new atheist literature say about science and religion? Updated 8 December 2022 (c) 2022 The “new atheists” Recently numerous books and articles have been published with rather strong criticisms of religion and the practice of religion. The four most prominent authors are Richard Dawkins, Daniel Dennett, Sam Harris and Christopher Hitchens, who Continue reading What does the atheist literature say about science and religion? How many scientists question evolution? Updated 9 January 2023 Dissenters from evolution It is often said that many scientists, including some significant credentials in the field, now believe there are serious difficulties with modern evolutionary theory. Indeed, there are some scientists who dissent. For example, in 2005 Philip Skell, a retired chemistry professor at Pennsylvania Continue reading How many scientists question evolution? How reliable is geologic dating? Updated 8 December 2022 (c) 2022 Introduction In a separate article Radiometric dating), we sketched in some technical detail how dates are calculated using radiometric dating techniques. As we pointed out in that article, radiometric dates are based on known rates of radioactivity, a phenomenon that is rooted in fundamental Continue reading How reliable is geologic dating? How does radiometric dating work? Updated 8 December 2022 (c) 2022 Introduction Radiometric dating is the most common type of technique employed by researchers to reckon dates for the geologic eras and individual specimens or layers. Radiometric dating is rooted in the rates of radioactive decay of various isotopes, which rates have been measured carefully Continue reading How does radiometric dating work? How reliable is radiocarbon dating? Updated 8 December 2022 (c) 2022 Introduction Radiocarbon dating, which is also known as carbon-14 dating, is one widely used radiometric dating scheme to determine dates of ancient artifacts. In discussions of the age of the Earth and the antiquity of the human race, creationists often assail perceived weaknesses in Continue reading How reliable is radiocarbon dating? Do probability arguments refute evolution? Updated 15 February 2023 (c) 2023 Introduction In the past few decades, modern science has uncovered a universe that is far vaster and more awe-inspiring than ever imagined before, together with a set of elegant natural laws that deeply resonate with the idea of a cosmic lawgiver (and isn’t it Continue reading Do probability arguments refute evolution? Are there missing links between ancient primates and modern humans? Updated 8 December 2022 (c) 2022 Introduction One of the issues most frequently raised by both creationist and and intelligent design writers is the question of gaps in the fossil record, and, in particular, of “missing links” between “apes” and humans. In one sense, such Continue reading Are there missing links between ancient primates and modern humans? What do scientists understand about the origin of life? Updated 8 December 2022 (c) 2022 Introduction Both creationist and intelligent design writers assert that science has yet to understand the origin of life, and further claim that this is a fatal flaw in evolutionary theory [Behe1996; Dembski1998]. More importantly, creationist-minded members of the public have, Continue reading What do scientists understand about the origin of life? Does intelligent design pose a challenge for evolution? Updated 8 December 2022 (c) 2022 Background The “intelligent design” movement was formed in the mid-1990s by a group of scholars whose objective was to present a significantly more tenable body of scholarship opposed to evolution than that promoted by young-earth creationists such as Henry Morris and Continue reading Does intelligent design pose a challenge for evolution? |
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