I would give "credence" to people of any faith, including evolution of life from nothing, as long as their actions did not interfere my right to practice my own beliefs. Why would I expect someone to respect my personal beliefs if I did not extend them the same courtesy? Understand, I differentiate personal beliefs from those which are put into action in a political or coercive manner, or any other action that threatens my right of personal beliefs and to practice those beliefs as I see fit. I continue to be amused how people like you compare the concept of God to Santa Claus or a flying unicorn etc., as to the best of my knowledge, St. Nick and a flying unicorn are not generally thought of as God.
it would be more accurate if you asked Is it irrational for a grownup to believe in Santa Claus? then you comparison would be correct. is it irrational for a grownup to believe in Santa Claus? If so, how can it be rational for a man to believe in an imaginary god?
Do you think Santa Claus is God? I am confused why people think of Santa Claus as God. Conceptually, I don't remember any stories of St. Nick where he was depicted as the creator of the Universe. Was an imagination of gamma rays, before direct evidence of gamma rays a false imagination?
Okay, that is your faith, that flying unicorns created the earth and people and continue to protect those who believe in them. Fine by me. To each their own.
santa clause is on equal footing with god as far as the evidence for his existence goes. many books have been written about santa. millions of children will testify to his existence, the weather channel can track santa on radar, the post office has Santa address and millions of people write letters to santa every year. how can you doubt the existence of santa? many believe santa exists and you can not prove santa does not exist. is it rational to believe santa exists?
Since you give all beliefs equal weight, should then the belief of flying unicorns be taught alongside Intelligent Design in science classes across the country? After all, the premise of flying unicorns has yet to be conclusively disproved.
Gamma rays were also on equal footing with Santa and God as far as known existence at one time...as anyone who suggested the existence of gamma rays had no empirical data to support that claim. I am agnostic on Santa, but if you want to write to him, fine by me. Personally, I don't spend time worrying about the personal beliefs of others, if they want to believe in St. Nick, fine by me... I do wonder why the atheists are so obsessed with Santa, maybe they had bad childhood experiences...
Do you know anyone who says flying unicorns are the source of biological life? I think you are purposely misrepresenting my position about what should be taught in the public school system. I oppose the teaching of both ID and non ID, but if non ID must be taught, then I think it only fair that ID also be taught.
Is this a joke? Do you not see the evidence of the flying unicorns all around you? Do you seriously think that life on earth just spontaneously appeared? Do you think it's a result of random ignorant chance?