""And at some point, one simply throws up one's hands and realizes that further discussion on either side is a waste of time.""

Many wise people state in the past that science and religious belief discussions ard just that, discussions-sharing personal perspectives. Only the unwise, approaches such discussions intent on converting either side to "their beliefs, or way is thinking". That approach most likely leads to frustration, and possibly unintentional loss of respect for other folks and nice people, who merely see things differently (for one reason or another).

I note that Bill D participates in the discussion, and gets his points across in a straight firward way in a most respspectful fashion. A "tip of the old sou'wester" for him in doing so, and adding to what is , at times, an interesting discussion of a potentially divisive topic.