Official TOC Round 1

Definitions Intelligent Design (abbreviated ID): The theory of intelligent design holds that certain features of the universe and of living things are best explained by an intelligent cause, not an undirected process such as natural selection. (Discovery Institute) Natural selection: A natural process that results in the survival and reproductive success of individuals or groups best adjusted to their environment and that leads to the perpetuation of genetic qualities best suited to that particular environment. (Merriam-Webster) Evolution: Evolution is a process that results in heritable changes in a population spread over many generations. (. http://www.talkorigins.org...) Abiogenesis: The development of living organisms from nonliving matter. (paraphrased from American Heritage Dictionary) Big Bang: The explosion of an extremely small, hot, and dense body of matter that, according to some cosmological theories, gave rise to the universe between 12 and 20 billion years ago. (American Heritage Dictionary) Omnievolution: Evolution, abiogenesis, and big bang theory. Compressed into a single word for convenience. Second Law of Thermodynamics: In a closed system, entropy tends to increase. (. http://www.allaboutscience.org...) Entropy: Unusable energy. ======== On Burden of Proof Omnievolution and intelligent design are mutually exclusive. Conflicting ideas should not both be taught; scientists should work out which is correct, and then the correct one should be taught. (My opponent may dispute this if he wishes, in which case I will respond; but if he does not, it is to be accepted. ) If evolution, abiogenesis and the big bang are all shown to be scientifically valid, then it renders intelligent design invalid; victory goes to Pro. If intelligent design is shown to be scientifically valid, victory goes to Con. If neither is shown to be valid, the result is a tie. With the premise that invalid theories should not be taught: if ID is shown to be invalid, victory goes to Pro. If omnievolution is shown to be invalid, victory goes to Con. If neither is shown to be invalid, well, you know what comes next. ============ On The Invalidity of Intelligent Design 1: ID is not testable. A theory is only considered science if it is testable with the scientific method [1]. ID is not testable, however. Since the designer is by necessity external, there is no sign that the designer was once here. Observation and experimentation is impossible. 2: ID is not falsifiable. Any possible outcome could be the mark of a designer. No matter what happens, it can be said to be the result of intelligent design. ID cannot be proven false, and is therefore not science. ========== On the Validity of Big Bang Theory Big Bang Theory has a great deal of evidence supporting it. [2] 1. Galaxies are observed to be moving away from each other. This movement is consistent with the expanding universe predicted by Big Bang Theory. 2. Big Bang Theory predicts that just after the Big Bang, the universe contained an intense amount of energy. This is evidenced by the cosmic microwave background radiation. 3. Lighter elements such as hydrogen and helium occur in nature more often than heavier ones such as mercury and gold. ======== On the Validity of Abiogenesis There is not as much evidence supporting abiogenesis, but it is still the most likely possibility for the origin of life. The Miller-Urey Experiment [3] showed that it is possible to create complex chemical compounds from more simple ones, especially in an environment similar to that of primitive earth. It is therefore entirely possible that a self-replicating molecule was spontaneously formed, and that this molecule then slowly evolved into what we know as life. ======== On the Validity of Evolution There is monumental evidence supporting evolution. 1. The extensive fossil record is filled with transitional forms, early stages, and other fossils that support the theory of evolution. For starters, we have a complete record of the evolution of humans going back millions of years [4], dinosaurs into birds (including the transition from scales to feathers) [5], and the evolution from land animals to whales [6]. 2. Natural selection has been observed many times [7], and we even have some cases of observed speciation [8]. 3. Genetics are a great source for evidence supporting evolution. For example, human versus ape genetics are exactly what we would expect if the theory of evolution were true [9]. ======== To my opponent, thank you and good luck! ======== References [1] . http://en.wikipedia.org... [2] . http://www.big-bang-theory.com... [3] . http://www.chem.duke.edu... [4] . http://www.talkorigins.org... [5] . http://darwiniana.org... [6] . http://darwiniana.org... [7] . http://www.gate.net... [8] . http://www.talkorigins.org... [9] www. youtube. com/watch? v=zi8FfMBYCkk