"pete has already won. A bunch of smart and educated people are taking him seriously."

Pete can't lose. He is comfortable in his beliefs, and the way he presents them is unwavering. In many ways, he has the easiest approach to the world. Remember, his position is only an extreme version of what we debate in vain with others who espouse religious views that do NOT deny evolution.

Those of us who 'know' the flaws in his assumptions & reasoning are only honing our own arguments.... and at the same time, Pete is solidifying HIS positions. Religious beliefs are not the only sort that can be debated like this.... in the past we have had set-tos about aliens, Astrology, reincarnation, out-of-body experiences....etc. I assume that there are those who have managed to convince themselves that the Holocaust "didn't really happen".

Humans are interesting AS the only animal which is able to 'believe' things.... and to reflect on our own thought processes. That very ability means that in the billions of people now living, there are astounding things that are accepted as 'fact' that others cannot comprehend HOW they can think that way.

It keeps us busy trying to make sense of it all...Pete is just ahead of most of us in having less to cope with. Right, Pete? ☺

I have tried in my ways to explain my points... and others have done it their ways.... and between us, we have left a pretty good set of examples for those who stumble on this thread in the future-- if they to dare to read much of it.

It makes little difference to me if Pete holds to his 'unusual' beliefs.... but it IS important in the USA these days that some Conservatives are trying to get their religious positions into school textbooks and into state laws. That requires serious effort to combat.

I believe in "freedom of religion"... but 'freedom OF religion' also implies freedom FROM religion for those who wish it. As far as I can tell, Pete is not insisting that WE believe as he does.