As we have discussed in class, Bill
Nye is set to debate creationist Ken Ham on Tuesday, February 4th. The debate is supposed to revolve around the
question “Is creation a viable model of origins?” The topic is one that many
people have passionate steadfast opinions about, and this fact has led some
people to criticize Bill Nye for agreeing to participate in the debate. Matt
Zimmerman, founder and executive director of The Clergy Letter Project, said
the debate has “no intellectual purpose” and “will make for good theater” at
best. Dan Arel, a self proclaimed “secular advocate,” said “Scientists should
not debate creationists. Period.” He went on to say that, “Debating
creationists offers their position credibility.” Bill Nye has responded to some
of these critics by explaining that he is not trying to win anyone over, and
that he is not going into the debate as a scientist, but rather as a "reasonable
man."
I agree with some of the critics
that maybe Bill Nye should not have agreed to partake in this debate. I just do
not see what he will gain from debating this topic with someone who is as rigid
in his beliefs as Ken Ham is. I also agree with some of the critics who say
that Bill Nye is accepting creationism as a credible position by agreeing to
participate in this debate. As a man of science, Bill Nye should have known better than to agree to debate creationism, when in reality it has no scientific basis and is in no way a viable alternative to evolution. I am afraid that Bill Nye might be a little naïve
heading into this debate, and that Ken Ham might try to just use the debate as
a chance to promote creationism while denying everything Bill Nye says against
it. I just do not think a real fair academic debate can occur when one side is
advocating for science and the other is advocating for religion. They are two entirely different topics in my opinion and I cannot imagine any real “winner” emerging
from this debate. I am excited to watch though, because no matter what happens
it will certainly be entertaining.
