Creation Ministries International (formerly Answers in Genesis) has an interesting list of “Arguments we think creationists should not use“. Of course, anti-evolutionists regularly engage in less than honest tactics, including quote-mining, propaganda, and outright distortions, but in this case I applaud their candor. Here are some of the notable arguments listed, many of which you have undoubtedly heard many times — next time, just point out that even one of the leading creationist groups recognizes that these are not valid. (Obviously, the spin provided on these differs from what scientists think — see the original list for their explanations).

Which arguments should definitely not be used?

• Darwin recanted on his deathbed.
• Moon-dust thickness proves a young moon.
• NASA computers, in calculating the positions of planets, found a missing day and 40 minutes, proving Joshua’s “long day” and Hezekiah’s sundial movement of Joshua 10 and 2 Kings 20.
• The Japanese trawler Zuiyo Maru caught a dead plesiosaur near New Zealand.
• If we evolved from apes, why are there still apes today?
• Women have one more rib than men.
• Archaeopteryx is a fraud.
• There are no beneficial mutations.
• No new species have been produced.
• Paluxy tracks prove that humans and dinosaurs co-existed.
• Darwin’s quote about the absurdity of eye evolution from Origin of Species.
• Light was created in transit.

What arguments are doubtful, hence inadvisable to use?

• Natural selection as tautology.
• Evolution is just a theory.
• There is amazing modern scientific insight in the Bible.
• The speed of light has decreased over time.
• There are no transitional forms.
• Creationists believe in microevolution but not macroevolution.