Challenging Ben Carson to a Written Debate About Facts of Evolution from Molecular Biology

Written and collected by Zia H Shah MD, Chief Editor of the Muslim Times

Republican presidential contender Ben Carson restated his views on creationism Sunday (Nov. 1), wrapping up his weekend in Tennessee with a visit to one of Metro Nashville’s largest churches.

This is not the first time Carson has spoken about his doubts on evolution. Several national publications, including The Washington Post, BuzzFeed and others, have noted a speech from 2012 and other comments where Carson likened the big bang theory to “fairy tales” and questioned the motivation behind Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution.[1]

It seems he would say any thing which is apparently popular among the Republican base to rise in the polls.

Fully two-thirds of seventh-day Adventists (67%), the denomination that Ben Carson belongs to, reject evolution, saying that humans have always existed in their present form. This mirrors Carson’s view: The candidate has been a vocal critic of evolution, saying that it is impossible to believe in both God and evolution at the same time.[2]

As a successful Neuro-surgeon, who would be knowledgeable in molecular biology, he should know better than this.

Carson delivered two speeches Sunday at Cornerstone Church in Madison. The words from Carson, a retired neurosurgeon who’s recently surged in GOP presidential polls, sounded at times like a stump speech and a sermon.

“They say, ‘Carson, ya know, how can you be a surgeon, a neurosurgeon, and believe that God created the Earth, and not believe in evolution, which is the basis of all knowledge and all science?’,” Carson said during his second speech, referencing “progressives.”

“Well, you know, it’s kind of funny. But I do believe God created us, and I did just fine. So I don’t know where they get that stuff from, ya know? It’s not true. And in fact, the more you know about God, and the deeper your relationship with God, I think the more intricate becomes your knowledge of the way things work, including the human body.”

Charles Darwin tree of life, linking all life forms

I believe in God also but I also believe in rational understanding of our universe and our planet and millions of life forms that have existed on our planet over the millennia.

So, I invite him to a written debate about the facts of evolution in molecular biology that establish beyond any reasonable doubt that all life forms on our planet earth are linked to each other, through the process of evolution, as proposed by Charles Darwin, more than 150 years ago.

This debate is not of only academic interest, but, may also show if Ben Carson has the integrity to lead our nation at this very critical time in history.

To make it easy for him, I will even show him my hand of cards, as suggested reading and viewing below. A lot of tricks can be pulled in face to face debate and I am well aware of those.  So, realizing some of my limitations I do not want to debate face to face, rather engage in a written debate, where evidence will be the final  determinant. Let the debate begin!

I have just tweeted the challenge to him and to our 37,000 followers.  But, I know, he will ignore it as Mahatama Gandhi told us, more than 6 decades ago, about every Goliath and David fight, ‘First they ignore you, then they ridicule you, then they fight you, and then you win.’  In the mean while, every one else is learning the facts.

Reference

1. http://www.religionnews.com/2015/11/02/ben-carson-touts-creationism-during-nashville-speech/
2. http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2015/11/03/a-closer-look-at-seventh-day-adventists-in-america/

Suggested reading and viewing

Charles Darwin: An Epiphany for the Muslims, A Catastrophe for the Christians

Molecular Biology a Checkmate to Creationism