I see three quite different agendas of those who are engaged in or
watching the creation-evolution (C-E) debates:
1. To *learn* the truth: to gain a correct _understanding_ of origins
issues, so far as one can, and to integrate this understanding into one's
world view.
2. To *persuade* others, through civil discussion and sound arguments.
Some persuaders want to work out an effective apologetics linked to science.
3. To *win* a fight, to protect oneself against one's enemies, and
defeat them. When this goal is a priority, it can foster shabby
"research", fuzzy thought, dishonest arguments. Those with this agenda
may ask themselves: Are we captives of the prevalent sports mentality of
our society? In the contentious C-E arena, even scholars may tend to
develop an emotional commitment to their position, and then attack those
who disagree whenever they find a detail out of place.
Have popular advocates of creationism or intelligent design or theistic
science or evolutionism who speak with flair, enthusiasm and a tone of
authority become entertainers? Do audiences listen to their
presentations as entertainment to be cheered, rather than as education to
be pondered or as evidence to be weighed? Do audiences leave their
thinking caps at home and go to see a contest and cheer the winner, as
they go to an athletic event?
The issues in the conflict are so complex that a conscientious scholar
wonders how to communicate accurately to the nonspecialist, to give her
or him a truthful picture without simplifying to the point of
distortion. As Ratzsch points out, vagueness (rather than precision) in
stating an argument can easily lead to misrepresentation and
misunderstanding. The average person who is interested in these issues
is not accustomed to weighing every detail or to following complex
arguments. He or she is satisfied with answers that make sense only in a
general way.
(These comments are adapted from the conclusion of my review of *The
Battle of Beginnings* by Del Ratzsch, PSCF _48_, Sep. 1996, pp. 188-191.)
Don DeGraaf