Baloney Detection The Right Use of Logic and Investigative Procedure by James Nickel, B.A., B.Th., B.Miss., M.A. Copyright 2007

Baloney DetectionBaloney DetectionThe Right Use of Logic and The Right Use of Logic and

Investigative ProcedureInvestigative Procedure

by James Nickel, B.A., B.Th., B.Miss., M.A.by James Nickel, B.A., B.Th., B.Miss., M.A.

Copyright Copyright 2007 2007 www.biblicalchristianworldview.netwww.biblicalchristianworldview.net

http://www.biblicalchristianworldview.net/

Baloney DetectorsBaloney Detectors

““The evidence conclusively states ….”The evidence conclusively states ….” ““The authorities say ….”The authorities say ….” ““You are a troglodyte.”You are a troglodyte.” ““Let’s build a straw man.”Let’s build a straw man.” ““Will you please beg the question?”Will you please beg the question?” ““Let’s test it.”Let’s test it.” ““What do you mean?”What do you mean?” ““I believe ….”I believe ….”

copyright copyright 2007 2007 www.biblicalchristianworldview.net


““The evidence conclusively states ….”The evidence conclusively states ….”

Facts are always interpreted facts.Facts are always interpreted facts. Two people can look at the same fact and Two people can look at the same fact and

come to different conclusions.come to different conclusions.• He’s out! (if the player is an opponent)He’s out! (if the player is an opponent)• No, he’s safe! (if the player is on “your” team)No, he’s safe! (if the player is on “your” team)

Even false theories can muster up Even false theories can muster up supportive evidence.supportive evidence.

There is a tendency in human nature to There is a tendency in human nature to ignore the inconvenient.ignore the inconvenient.



The Fossil RecordThe Fossil Record

Assertion: The fossil record Assertion: The fossil record evidences the truth of evolution.evidences the truth of evolution.

Question to pose:Question to pose:• What changes are necessary for one What changes are necessary for one

species to evolve into another?species to evolve into another?• What must happen, morphologically, for What must happen, morphologically, for

a land creature to evolve into a water a land creature to evolve into a water creature?creature?




• One change?One change?• Many changes?Many changes?• How many changes?How many changes?• A significant number of changes.A significant number of changes.




• Since evolution occurs imperceptibly Since evolution occurs imperceptibly slow over immensely long periods of slow over immensely long periods of time, then there should be evidence, time, then there should be evidence, fossil evidence, of these many changes.fossil evidence, of these many changes.

• The fossil evidence is multitudinous.The fossil evidence is multitudinous.• No such evidence exists.No such evidence exists.




• The fossil record gives evidence to land The fossil record gives evidence to land and sea creatures.and sea creatures.

• The fossil record does not give evidence The fossil record does not give evidence to the required multitude of to the required multitude of intermediary transitional forms as the intermediary transitional forms as the theory of evolution demands.theory of evolution demands.




A great deal of interpretation is involved in A great deal of interpretation is involved in the analysis of fossils.the analysis of fossils.

Do not believe a scientist when he says, Do not believe a scientist when he says, “We will follow the evidence to wherever it “We will follow the evidence to wherever it leads.”leads.”

Many scientists are biased when it comes Many scientists are biased when it comes to explaining the fossil record.to explaining the fossil record.

In history, some scientists have been In history, some scientists have been willing to create deceptive evidence (e.g., willing to create deceptive evidence (e.g., the Piltdown Man forgery) in order to the Piltdown Man forgery) in order to prove their belief system.prove their belief system.



““The authorities say ….”The authorities say ….”

Nothing is true just because a Ph.D. Nothing is true just because a Ph.D. says it is or “scholarship has shown says it is or “scholarship has shown …”…”

To be an expert in a subject does not To be an expert in a subject does not necessarily make you an authority.necessarily make you an authority.

The dogma of authority can always The dogma of authority can always be tested.be tested.



The Challenger Explosion (1986)The Challenger Explosion (1986)

For a variety of reasons, NASA, an expert For a variety of reasons, NASA, an expert in launching vehicles into space, wanted in launching vehicles into space, wanted the space shuttle to fly.the space shuttle to fly.

It was very cold.It was very cold. The manufacturers told NASA that the O-The manufacturers told NASA that the O-

rings could possibly fail given the rings could possibly fail given the conditions.conditions.

The authorities at NASA refused to heed The authorities at NASA refused to heed these warnings and proceeded with the these warnings and proceeded with the countdown.countdown.



The Challenger Explosion (1986)The Challenger Explosion (1986)

73 seconds after lift off, the 73 seconds after lift off, the Challenger exploded killing all seven Challenger exploded killing all seven on board.on board.

In this instance (real world “test”), In this instance (real world “test”), NASA, as an authority, was wrong.NASA, as an authority, was wrong.



How Modern Science WorksHow Modern Science Works

The conclusions of scientists can be The conclusions of scientists can be wrong.wrong.

Often, only limited tests are made to Often, only limited tests are made to confirm a theory.confirm a theory.

Many times, politics, power, and money Many times, politics, power, and money (funding) are involved in the affirmation of (funding) are involved in the affirmation of a theory or a making of a decision.a theory or a making of a decision.

Debate and negotiation are often involved Debate and negotiation are often involved in determining a conclusion.in determining a conclusion.

Politics, power, and money sometimes Politics, power, and money sometimes trump truth.trump truth.



““You are a troglodyte.”You are a troglodyte.”

In any debate between two people, In any debate between two people, we must be careful to make a we must be careful to make a distinction between the argument distinction between the argument and the people engaged in the and the people engaged in the argument.argument.




““Christians are nothing but bigoted Christians are nothing but bigoted troglodytes.”troglodytes.”

““Jews! They the cause of all the Jews! They the cause of all the problems in the world!”problems in the world!”

““But you are an atheist!”But you are an atheist!” ““Ha! He’s a creationist.”Ha! He’s a creationist.”




Ad hominem, Ad hominem, in Latin, means “to the in Latin, means “to the man.”man.”

Calling people “names” [to the man] Calling people “names” [to the man] is often a way of distracting attention is often a way of distracting attention away from the issue at hand.away from the issue at hand.



Every person is biasedEvery person is biased

People tend to believe what they People tend to believe what they believe for a variety of reasons.believe for a variety of reasons.

Every man views facts based upon a Every man views facts based upon a philosophy of the facts.philosophy of the facts.




An owner of a business will tend not to An owner of a business will tend not to believe facts that may hurt his business.believe facts that may hurt his business.

Scientists may favor certain theories in Scientists may favor certain theories in order to secure or increase their funding.order to secure or increase their funding.

A Christian may disregard a passage of A Christian may disregard a passage of Scripture that conflicts with his Scripture that conflicts with his “theological position.”“theological position.”

An evolutionary scientist may neglect An evolutionary scientist may neglect evidence that shows problems with the evidence that shows problems with the theory of natural selection.theory of natural selection.




Since all arguments will be flavored Since all arguments will be flavored by the inbred bias of the arguer, it by the inbred bias of the arguer, it most imperative that the arguments most imperative that the arguments themselves be examined more themselves be examined more carefully.carefully.

Recognize the bias but move to an Recognize the bias but move to an analysis of the argument, not the analysis of the argument, not the person making the argument.person making the argument.



““Let’s build a straw man.”Let’s build a straw man.”

In a debate, an opponent’s position is In a debate, an opponent’s position is often distorted in order demolish the often distorted in order demolish the argument.argument.




Christians often make crazy (aka. foolish) Christians often make crazy (aka. foolish) arguments in defense of the Bible or of arguments in defense of the Bible or of faith.faith.

The stereotype thus created in the minds The stereotype thus created in the minds of many is that Christians are Bible-of many is that Christians are Bible-bashing, fundamentalist idiots.bashing, fundamentalist idiots.

This stereotype is often invoked by This stereotype is often invoked by evolutionists when an argument is framed evolutionists when an argument is framed in terms of “Science vs. the Bible.”in terms of “Science vs. the Bible.”




The main problem with Darwinism is The main problem with Darwinism is that it fails to produce positive that it fails to produce positive evidence that natural selection evidence that natural selection creates new species (plants and creates new species (plants and animals) starting from simple animals) starting from simple organisms. organisms.




To divert the discussion from this To divert the discussion from this issue, they build a straw man edifice issue, they build a straw man edifice as a diversionary tactic.as a diversionary tactic.

““To believe in Genesis creation To believe in Genesis creation account is contrary to scientific account is contrary to scientific evidence!”evidence!”



““Will you please beg the question?”Will you please beg the question?”

When a conclusion of an argument is When a conclusion of an argument is implicitly or explicitly assumed in one implicitly or explicitly assumed in one of its premises, then you are of its premises, then you are “begging the question” (“begging the question” (petitio petitio principiiprincipii).).




Our team is the outstanding team in Our team is the outstanding team in the conference because it is the best the conference because it is the best team in the conference. team in the conference.




The evidence for the existence of The evidence for the existence of God is far from plain because if it God is far from plain because if it were plain everybody would believe were plain everybody would believe in Him.in Him.

The conclusion assumes that the The conclusion assumes that the evidence is far from plain.evidence is far from plain.




Biblically, if the God of Christianity Biblically, if the God of Christianity does exist, the evidence for Him does exist, the evidence for Him must must be plain. be plain.

The reason why “everybody” does The reason why “everybody” does not believe in God is that people not believe in God is that people suppress the truth in suppress the truth in unrighteousness (Romans 1:18-20).unrighteousness (Romans 1:18-20).




Question: What evidence proves that life Question: What evidence proves that life evolved from nonliving molecules?evolved from nonliving molecules?

Answer: Don’t reject this theory because Answer: Don’t reject this theory because of your religious bias.of your religious bias.

This answer This answer assumes assumes the truth of the point the truth of the point in dispute.in dispute.

The answer is actually stating that the The answer is actually stating that the evidence is so overwhelming that to evidence is so overwhelming that to question it must mean that you have some question it must mean that you have some sort of bias.sort of bias.



““Let’s test it.”Let’s test it.”

Some theories can be tested (by Some theories can be tested (by observation and experiment) while observation and experiment) while others cannot be empirically shown others cannot be empirically shown to be either true or false.to be either true or false.

Remember, some scientific Remember, some scientific statements are mere assertions, statements are mere assertions, conjectures, or speculations (there is conjectures, or speculations (there is no supporting evidence).no supporting evidence).




There are multiple universes.There are multiple universes. Our universe came into being when a Our universe came into being when a

scientist in another universe made scientist in another universe made an experiment.an experiment.

Carl Sagan, “The Cosmos is all there Carl Sagan, “The Cosmos is all there is, or ever was, or ever will be.”is, or ever was, or ever will be.”

Introduction to the film series Introduction to the film series CosmosCosmos




Be careful how you state your Be careful how you state your position.position.

State your position in a testable, not State your position in a testable, not in a un-testable fashion.in a un-testable fashion.




Un-testable: I believe in creation merely Un-testable: I believe in creation merely and only by faith, no matter what the and only by faith, no matter what the evidence says.evidence says.

Testable: Evidence indicates that living Testable: Evidence indicates that living organisms are information-centric.organisms are information-centric.

These organisms work because they These organisms work because they consist of interrelated and interconnected consist of interrelated and interconnected parts that plainly speak to design and parts that plainly speak to design and intelligence. intelligence.




The Bible reveals that the Creator is a The Bible reveals that the Creator is a rational, intelligent being.rational, intelligent being.

Thus, if we accept the Bible to be true, Thus, if we accept the Bible to be true, then we would expect His creation to then we would expect His creation to reflect intelligence, coherence, reflect intelligence, coherence, interconnectedness, and design.interconnectedness, and design.

We can test for this design.We can test for this design. The Bible reveals to us the true nature of The Bible reveals to us the true nature of

the Designer.the Designer.




Testable Darwinism: Originally, Testable Darwinism: Originally, Darwin asserted that fossil hunters Darwin asserted that fossil hunters would eventually find transitional would eventually find transitional forms (they have not) and that forms (they have not) and that animal breeders would create new animal breeders would create new and distinct species (they have not).and distinct species (they have not).

Darwinism, in its original form, can Darwinism, in its original form, can be proved to be false by lack of be proved to be false by lack of evidence.evidence.




Un-testable Darwinism: Naturalistic Un-testable Darwinism: Naturalistic evolution is science and any evolution is science and any alterative to naturalism is religion.alterative to naturalism is religion.

Hence, naturalistic science is Hence, naturalistic science is true by true by definition.definition.



““What do you mean?”What do you mean?”

The words “science” and “evolution” The words “science” and “evolution” are often used in contradictory ways.are often used in contradictory ways.

Logical fallacy of equivocation: When Logical fallacy of equivocation: When the definition of a word changes in the definition of a word changes in an argument.an argument.




Dog breeding is a powerful evidence Dog breeding is a powerful evidence of evolution.of evolution.

Charles Darwin (1809-1882), Richard Charles Darwin (1809-1882), Richard Dawkins (1941-), and Francis Crick Dawkins (1941-), and Francis Crick (1916-) have all asserted this “fact.”(1916-) have all asserted this “fact.”

Dog breeding, in fact, is an evidence Dog breeding, in fact, is an evidence of adaptation within a given gene of adaptation within a given gene pool (the dog gene pool).pool (the dog gene pool).




Evolution, by definition, means that Evolution, by definition, means that all living things are the accidental all living things are the accidental products of a purposeless universe.products of a purposeless universe.

Contrariwise, dog breeding is a Contrariwise, dog breeding is a process that is guided by process that is guided by intelligence.intelligence.

To say that dog breeding is a To say that dog breeding is a powerful evidence of evolution is an powerful evidence of evolution is an equivocation.equivocation.




When someone talks about When someone talks about evolution, make sure that the word is evolution, make sure that the word is defined first!defined first!

Be on the alert to note when the Be on the alert to note when the definition “moves” (equivocates) in a definition “moves” (equivocates) in a discussion (and it will). discussion (and it will).




1995 Position Statement of the American 1995 Position Statement of the American National Association of Biology Teachers.National Association of Biology Teachers.

““The diversity of life on earth is the The diversity of life on earth is the outcome of outcome of evolutionevolution: an unsupervised, : an unsupervised, impersonal, unpredictable and natural impersonal, unpredictable and natural process of temporal descent with genetic process of temporal descent with genetic modification that is affected by natural modification that is affected by natural science, chance, historical contingencies science, chance, historical contingencies and changing environments.”and changing environments.”



““I believe …”I believe …”

As we have noted, everyone, for a As we have noted, everyone, for a variety of reasons, believes what variety of reasons, believes what they they wantwant to believe. to believe.

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““Most modern biologists, having reviewed Most modern biologists, having reviewed with satisfaction the downfall of with satisfaction the downfall of spontaneous generation, yet unwilling to spontaneous generation, yet unwilling to accept the alternative belief of accept the alternative belief of spontaneous creation, are left with spontaneous creation, are left with nothing. I think a scientist has no choice nothing. I think a scientist has no choice but to approach the origin of life through a but to approach the origin of life through a hypothesis of spontaneous generation.”hypothesis of spontaneous generation.”



““One has only to contemplate the One has only to contemplate the magnitude of this task to concede magnitude of this task to concede spontaneous generation of a living spontaneous generation of a living organism is impossible. Yet here we organism is impossible. Yet here we are, as a result. I believe in are, as a result. I believe in spontaneous generation.”spontaneous generation.”

George Wald, “The Origin of Life,” George Wald, “The Origin of Life,” Scientific Scientific American, 1954:190, No. 2, 44-53.American, 1954:190, No. 2, 44-53.



Every position is ultimately and Every position is ultimately and finally a faith position.finally a faith position.

Key questions to ask.Key questions to ask.• What are the starting points for What are the starting points for

reasoning and thinking?reasoning and thinking?• What are the implications of the faith What are the implications of the faith

position of scientific naturalism?position of scientific naturalism?



Based upon this starting point, man’s Based upon this starting point, man’s rationality is a product of chance.rationality is a product of chance.

Based upon this starting point, even the Based upon this starting point, even the immaterialimmaterial laws of logic that man laws of logic that man employs in his scientific and everyday employs in his scientific and everyday life are products of chance.life are products of chance.

The rationality and purpose that man is The rationality and purpose that man is searching for are products of chance.searching for are products of chance.

Hence, from this starting point – this faith Hence, from this starting point – this faith – all of life is – all of life is unintelligibleunintelligible..


Carl SaganCarl Sagan

““I meet many people who are I meet many people who are offended by evolution, who offended by evolution, who passionately prefer to be the passionately prefer to be the personal handicraft of God than to personal handicraft of God than to arise by blind physical and chemical arise by blind physical and chemical forces over aeons from slime.”forces over aeons from slime.”

Analysis: the same passion for Analysis: the same passion for belief exists in Sagan.belief exists in Sagan.



““They also tend to be less than They also tend to be less than assiduous in exposing themselves assiduous in exposing themselves to the evidence. Evidence has little to the evidence. Evidence has little to do with it. What they wish to be to do with it. What they wish to be true, they believe is true.”true, they believe is true.”Carl Sagan, Carl Sagan, The Demon-Haunted World, The Demon-Haunted World, p. 327.p. 327.

Analysis: What Sagan accuses Analysis: What Sagan accuses others of doing, he is doing himself.others of doing, he is doing himself.



On the basis of Sagan’s starting On the basis of Sagan’s starting points, he has no justification for points, he has no justification for using reason to show that all of life using reason to show that all of life evolved merely and only by natural evolved merely and only by natural processes governed by chance.processes governed by chance.



So then, the Biblical Christian So then, the Biblical Christian embraces a faith position …embraces a faith position …



This faith position requires him to This faith position requires him to hold that Christian theism is really hold that Christian theism is really true …true …



… … and as such must be taken as the and as such must be taken as the presuppositional starting point that presuppositional starting point that makes the acquisition of knowledge makes the acquisition of knowledge in any field intelligible …in any field intelligible …



… … and must therefore point out in a and must therefore point out in a most gracious manner …most gracious manner …



… … that the efforts of men that the efforts of men committed to the faith of scientific committed to the faith of scientific naturalism are futile.naturalism are futile.


AcknowledgementsAcknowledgements

Thanks to Philip E. Johnson, Thanks to Philip E. Johnson, Defeating Darwinism by Opening Defeating Darwinism by Opening Minds Minds (InterVarsity Press, 1997) for (InterVarsity Press, 1997) for his chapter entitled “Tuning Up Your his chapter entitled “Tuning Up Your Baloney Detector.”Baloney Detector.”


Documents

Baloney Detection The Right Use of Logic and Investigative Procedure by James Nickel, B.A., B.Th., B.Miss., M.A. Copyright 2007