The Creation v. Evolution Debate Logo

When you initially saw the CE-DEBATE logo, this classic question may have come into your mind: "What does this mean?"

Well, I have undertaken to provide here an explanation for what the Creation v. Evolution debate logo stands for.

• The Creation v. Evolution Debate Logo is in the shape of a shield. The shield is a symbol of defense, which is important to keep in mind when debating (the very word "debate" comes partly from Latin "battere," "to fight"). In the past, the shield has also been used as a symbol of faith (as in the Apostle Paul's illustration of the armor of God), and as a representation of principles such as loyalty and steadfastness.

• The top of the shield has 3 points representing the 3 main categories of discussion on this site (which are science, theology, and philosophy).

• The CE-DEBATE shield is divided into 2 fields (representing the different sides of the creation v. evolution debate) with a large division between them representing the spectrum of middle ground emerging in this issue.

In debate, the distinction between defense and offense is important, as debaters should intelligently defend their beliefs without becoming defensive or offensive in their delivery, being gracious in all their interactions and giving the other sides a fair hearing. 

However, just because everyone involved in a debate does deserve a fair hearing does not mean that everyone involved in a debate is equally right. This is what makes this creation v. evolution debate forum unique. Although many online forums are dedicated to discussions of origins, many do so while being obviously aligned with a particular worldview (which is presented as the only position worth discussing, thus undermining the principle of debate), or host extremely ungracious and often vulgar dialogue that does not profit anyone involved. On the other hand, CE-DEBATE believes in giving each side of the debate a fair hearing without letting the conversation devolve into personal attacks or belittling and demeaning comments directed at a particular worldview (or the adherent thereof). CE-DEBATE does not expect people to change their beliefs based on their participation here (although possibility is out there), but hopes to expose through civil dialogue and gracious debate which arguments, doctrines, and ultimately worldviews, stand up to rigorous analysis.

The logo of an organization is supposed to represent the essence of that organization in some way, but logos by themselves are often quite arbitrary and have no inherent meaning or relationship to the organization they represent. Without the explanations provided here, the Creation v. Evolution Debate logo would be no exception. Thus, I will post some verses of scripture here that provide a good explanation of the type of online culture that CE-DEBATE hopes to cultivate, and guidelines for the discussions that this website hope to host:

"Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person."

(Colossians 4:6)

"But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect."

(1 Peter 3:15, ESV)

"...So that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ..."

(Ephesians 4:14-15)

(Formatted as a blog post on May 10th, 2018, formerly posted here).