Creationist visit

[Random Gal]

So there's a small creationist museum a few towns away from the museum where I'm working, established basically to compete with ours.

One of my coworkers and I are going to be leading a group from a skepticism society on a tour of our museum this weekend, followed by a trip up to the creationist museum where we'll be discussing the merits of their point of view (he arranged it with them in advance). Afterward, he has invited both the skeptics and the creationists to go looking for fossils with us.

Any ideas on how to get the most out of this experience?

[Ironchew]

Any ideas on how to get the most out of this experience?

Ride the dinosaurs.

[lord gibbon]

First and foremost, be calm. The fundamentalist viewpoint thrives on emotion and passion. no matter how stupid of offensive it might get, maintain an attitude of scientific dignity. Don't be afraid to express emotion, of course, but don't let it get the better of you.

I'd also recommend a little research ahead of time. Specifically, what are the primary arguments he'll be using, and how do you defeat them. Preparation and information are the best friends of science.

[Ultimate Paragon]

Don't assume your opponent will be dumb.

[Ironchew]

yeahbutseriously

You guys have already arranged to discuss the merits of the creationist point of view, so you're already giving them too much ground. Any discussion from that starting point is worthless.

Just ride the dinosaurs. If you see something funny post it to r/atheism so I can have a laugh.

[rookie]

Remember not to take it all too seriously. It's a freaking creationist museum. Go, have fun with the other skeptics. Ask lots of questions. Like almost an uncomfortable amount of questions. See if you and the other skeptics can geta running story line going.

[Nemo]

Whether they realize it or not (and I genuinely believe many creationists aren't aware of it), a good chunk of fundamentalist apologetics is designed to provoke a reaction out of skeptics so that they can claim "AHA! he really must secretly agree with us/be threatened by us". Be prepared for their questions and most common arguments (the only true way to do this is to basically be a walking encyclopedia).

Finally, I would suggest reading up on the history of science prior to Darwin, to demonstrate to the creationists that evolution/Big Bang Theory/earth not being a few generations old (yes, I know these are different fields of study) is not something that Darwin came up with ex nihilo to attack the Bible, but rather the work of many men for over a century beforehand, with many of these men being Christians who started from a position of the Bible. This is important because many creationists today argue that the only reason science points to an old earth is because scientists start with that assumption (and thus it is ok for creationists to do likewise).

[Askold]

yeahbutseriously

You guys have already arranged to discuss the merits of the creationist point of view, so you're already giving them too much ground. Any discussion from that starting point is worthless.

Just ride the dinosaurs. If you see something funny post it to r/atheism so I can have a laugh.

If one side in a debate decides to turn it into "pigeon chess" then they lose it automatically. Trying to go for an intellectual debate might not work as the Creationists may simply ignore everything you say, but you guys are supposed to be the mature side of the debate so take it seriously.

Maybe someone in the audience will change their mind.