On my summer vacation, I took a trip to the Creation Museum. It was a random, saw a sign on the highway, and “We have to go.”
It was hilarious. They are young earth creationists, and believed in the literal truth of the bible, that earth was created in 6 literal days. As such, humans and dinosaurs lived together. The museum was obsessed with dinosaurs.
Part of the museum that I kinda liked was the beginning. It talked about alternate theories of fossils. (Basically, they believe that most of the geologic formations and artifacts were because of being buried by the flood.)
But, they talked about having a different starting point. Starting from science, vs starting from the Bible. I liked the idea of questioning assumptions. The assumption was flawed, but the idea of questioning and thinking of alternate theories is the basis of science.
However, the largest part is that “science” does not start with an assumption. At least initially. The assumptions that science starts with is based on observation and conclusions based on the evidence.
Young Earth Creationists start from what they believe as “True,” and interpret results based on this truth. Scientists may interpret results based on previous results and the prevalent theories, but when results show that their previous thoughts were not correct, they adjust their starting point. One can “prove” almost anything by only interpreting results in the way that one chooses.
Still, I wish we taught more people to question these assumptions. And, I do wish that we were more open to alternative explanations. Creationism is one thing, but when “scientific results” show the exact opposite of prevailing social opinion, and we still cling to those social opinions?
We have issues there. And we can learn something from those who question.
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