There seem to me at least two ways in which people have been (and continue to be) deceived if either Young Earth Creationism or Old Earth Theistic Evolution is true.
Against Old Earth Theistic Evolutionists: (1) If the Earth is 5+billion years old and humans have existed for millions of years then many people have been deceived about the book of Genesis. In addition, (2) many people have been deceived about the history of the universe. On the Young Earth Creationist view, the universe is roughly 6000 years old, there was an original pair of humans from which all other humans have descended, etc. But that's all false if OETE is true.
Against Young Earth Creationists, the same problems hold: (1) Many people are deceived about the proper interpretation of Genesis and the implications of various statements in Genesis. (2) Many people today are deceived about the history of the universe.
A non-believer might then turn this line of thinking into a dilemma:
1. If Young Earth Creationism is true, then God has allowed there to be massive deception.
2. If Old Earth Theistic Evolution is true, then God has allowed there to be massive deception.
3. If God exists, then probably either Young Earth Creationism or Old Earth Theistic Evolution is true.
4. If there were a God, God would not allow for massive deception.
5. Thus probably God does not exist.
Unlike my ancient predecessor, this Tullius hasn't had his hands chopped off. With hands attached I offer my thoughts on philosophy, religion, politics, and whatever else I find worth mentioning. I'm conservative religiously and politically (with libertarian leanings). I value reason and freedom but also traditions and "Oldthink." I relish being on the wrong side of history when history is wrong--part of a philosopher's job is to be unpopular. (Views given here may not represent my employers')
Showing posts with label evolution. Show all posts
Showing posts with label evolution. Show all posts
Monday, October 6, 2014
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