Bill Nye Argues Creationism Doesn't Tell Earth's Story in Debate

Donning his signature bow tie and animated personality, Bill Nye the "Science Guy" debated the origins of life with Creation Museum founder Ken Ham on Tuesday night, the Associated Press reports.

The debate was held in a Kentucky museum known for teaching that the planet is only 6,000 years old. Ham, who has built a ministry following in Kentucky, said he believes the story of creation as it is presented in the Bible.

"The Bible is the word of God," Ham said, as reported by the AP. "I admit that's where I start from."

For Nye, the story of Earth's creations starts "billions and billions" of years ago. The pop culture star and past host of "Bill Nye The Science Guy" passionately challenged the Kentucky museum's teachings, including the Bible's flood story.

"If we accept Mr. Ham's point of view ... that the Bible serves as a science text and he and his followers will interpret that for you, I want you to consider what that means," Nye said, as reported by the AP. "It means that Mr. Ham's word is to be more respected than what you can observe in nature, what you can find in your backyard in Kentucky."

The debate quickly sold out and drew the attention of the national media. Despite the contentious topic, the speakers maintained a respectful and academic tone.

Nye even brought sample evidence, a piece of limestone, ABC News reported. 

"We are standing on millions of layers of ancient life. How could those animals have lived their entire life and formed these layers in 4,000 years?" Nye asked, in reference to the Great Flood.

Nye concluded that limestone couldn't exist if "Mr. Ham's flood" really happened 4,000 years ago, according to ABC News.

Think of the Children

The debate was planned after Nye, in an online video back in 2012, urged parents to not instill religious based doubts about evolution in their young children. After Ham rebutted the video, the two agreed to meet and debate.

During the debate, Ham argued there was no harm in creationist teachings.

"I love science," Ham said, as reported by ABC News. "If we teach them the whole universe is a result of natural processes and not designed by a creative god, they might be looking in the wrong places or have the wrong idea when they are looking at the creation in regard to how you develop technology, because if they look at just random processes, that could totally influence the way they think."

"I want children to be taught the right foundation," Ham continued.

Religion and Science Not at Odds

"I just want to remind us all there are billions of people in the world who are deeply religious, who get enriched by the wonderful sense of community by their religion," said Nye, as reported by the AP "But these same people do not embrace the extraordinary view that the Earth is somehow only 6,000 years old."

Ham, however, felt that scientific testing proving Nye's claim was fallible.

"I find there's only one infallible dating method," Ham said, as reported by ABC News. "It's a witness who was there, who knows everything and told us, and that's from the word of God."

Unnecessary Debate

The AP reported that some scientists had been critical of Nye's agreement to enter a debate with a Christian minister that dismisses evolution. Because of the debate's topic, the speakers were not anticipated to change any minds.

Jerry Coyne, an evolution professor at the University of Chicago, wrote in a blog post, "Nye's appearance will be giving money to organizations who try to subvert the mission Nye has had all his life: science education, particularly of kids." Coyne argued that the Creation Museum will profit from the event.