Ken Ham vs Bill! Bill! Bill! Bill!

I thought I was going to Kentucky to document the debate between Ken Ham of AnswersinGenesis and Bill Nye the Science Guy. But of course that plan has changed.
I so wish I knew Bill, so that I could help him prep for this. Because I know what a twisted sham creationist apologetics always are. I've watched a few of Ham's videos and his blatant distortions and deceptions are disgusting. I know why Nye is doing this, and I respect him for it. I hope he achieves his goal, and I will be there inside the madhouse to document whatever happens for the sake of posterity.

[shannonjhanlen]

I would still LOVE to see a debate between AaronRa and Ken Ham.

The destruction of Ken Ham would be just a wonderful to watch.

[Realm-of-Horror]

I think it was Matt Dilahunty who said "Scientists aren't always the best people to debate creationists, as they're used to dealing with people who are more honest". Hope Bill knows what he's letting himself in for!

[ChipArgyle]

Atheist: "I'm right, you're wrong."
Theist: "I'm right, you're wrong."
Atheist: "Prove it."
Theist: "I can't."
Atheist: "Then have your god show up and demonstrate to us that you're right."
Theist: "He won't."
Atheist: "Your god just made a fool of you."

End of debate.

[KingCrocoduck]

Topics that Ham will likely attempt to pontificate on:
-Historical VS Observational Science
-Same Evidence, Different Interpretations, Equal Validity
-Evolutionary "Hoaxes"
-Equivocation of Abiogenesis and Evolution
-Equivocation of Atheism and Evolution

[CaptIronfoundersson]

I think you're selling The Science Guy short. He's debated UFO nuts, climate change deniers, creationists, right wing religious fundamentalists, all with a friendly smile and an awesome bow tie. He may not be as aggressive as your Aron, but he's calm and collected, and he'll absolutely do his homework.

[BaudBits]

Kudos to Bill Nye for this. I only hope that he does his research on Ham and prepares for the forked tongue.  I also hope that Bill asks Ken to explain how his dismissal of 'historical science' does not apply to a book that was written down thousands of years ago when he was not there to see it or the events it claims to portray.

[Nixie]

I've been called a Legend 3 times in my life. All three very respectful compliments were wrong, they were very much appreciated but they were completely wrong. This man right here is a true legend and will go down in history books hundreds of years from now and still be talked about.

You can not beat someone with such logical thinking. Some may argue, but most will agree.

"Religion is regarded by the common people as true, by the wise as false, and by the rulers as useful." Lucius Annaeus Seneca-

[johnhirose]

I thought Bill Nye did well and better than I expected.  His general science knowledge was great!

[herschalshep]

I emailed Bill Nye and told him if he wanted to avoid Ham using his usual tactics of editing videos so it seems like he's stumped someone or make it sound like someone is agreeing with him, he should bring or wear a visible clock. It probably won't stop Ham from editing the footage, but it might at least make it a bit more obvious.

[Regrettable-Username]

I'm actually one of the homeschooled kids who used to believe in creationism thanks in a large part to AiG, but this debate made me reconsider _everything._ I looked at the real arguments of evolution, not the versions I was given in my bias school books (your videos were really useful with that, so thank you for making them) and I started looking at my faith as a whole in a new light.
Long story short - I believe in evolution now and I am no longer a Christian because he decided to do the unthinkable and debate a creationist.

[Elkator]

I think Bill did quite good. Well at least when compared to Ham. Ham didn't really do anything in that debate just kept saying his point of view.

[dangerouslytalented]

Bill Nye should bring his own video camera and make sure that what is in that tape is what he said. Send Ricky Gervais, Bill Maher, Tim Minchin, Penn Gillette, James Randi, or any other scientifically literate comedian or magician. Comedians are used to pointing out absurdities and dishonesty, and magicians can spot subterfuge a mile off. I would also include Alan Alda in this group, he runs communications classes for scientists, I would also want to put Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert in there, but they are too infamous for their  comedic disembowelling of pretty much anybody they catch in a dishonest act.

I would want Nye to be well coached in Ham's specific debating techniques. Get him to watch how Biden defeated Paul Ryan when Ryan tried the Gish Gallop on him. If Nye does manage to defeat him in his own rhetoric, then Ham is in for a really bad time.

[awesomegreenlantern]

This debate turned me from young earth creationist to atheist. Took a few years of research, but this inspired me to go out and look for answers outside the Bible. Bill Nye saved me from a lifetime of pain and misery.

[wjmackenzie]

That look on Bill Nye's face when the anchor woman tells him the 46% figure.... I could see the cartoon thought bubble pop up saying "oh shit, that's a lot of stupid".

[WildwoodClaire]

I have no doubt that Ken will attempt to baffle with bullshit, running a veritable Gish gallop marathon, hoping Nye will use up all of his time trying to address the many lies and distortions Ken spews.  And I think you are spot on about Ken's reasons for agreeing to the debate. Frankly, I'm baffled concerning Bill Nye's objectives.

[capefeather]

Honestly, I don't even care about anybody's reactions to Bill Nye himself. If even one person comes out thinking that maybe Ken Ham wasn't the obvious winner in the debate, that's a win.

Years ago, while I was still a Christian, I watched a debate between William Lane Craig and one of my university's philosophy professors. Having little experience with the nuances of religious debate, I found nothing wrong with either party's arguments, but at the same time, neither really impressed me. I became an atheist a couple of years after that. Of course, correlation doesn't imply causation, but I think that that debate actually pushed me a little toward atheism, especially after watching the big deal that my church buddies made of it at the time. The whole thing just struck me as kind of silly.

[TheBetterGame]

I've seen Bill Nye attacked by stupidity on Fox News before. He's always recognized his audience and adjusted his tactics, method of speech, and worked his way through it. I'm worried, to be sure, but not nearly as worried as you guys are. Remember, Bill Nye is a guy who's trained his entire life to speak to children. Better yet, his approach is centred on speaking to people who are hearing what he has to say, FOR THE FIRST TIME. I think he can do this.

[Zaunstar]

As you and others have mentioned here, I am definitely concerned that Bill Nye doesn't know what kind of circus he's walking into. He may be under the impression that this will be a fair, reasoned fight. Hopefully he knows what to expect, but Ham has been a professional spewer of nonsense all his life, and if Bill isn't ready, he will be made to look wrong even though he is right.

[DonMezzo]

4:29 - 4:54
This is exactly what I'm worried about. I've seen Bill talk about creationism twice (Big think and that interview from this video), I have no idea if Bill really expects honesty from a professional creationist or if he is already prepared for the tidal-wave of bullshit he'll encounter from Ken Ham.

[pyrodeity]

Cool really glad someone trustworthy is going to record the "debate".