Jamal AndressBill Nye the Science Guy was back in the spotlight Tuesday debating one of the oldest and most controversial questions there is: Where did we all come from?
At the Creation Museum in Petersburg, Ky., the former kids' TV show host debated all the age-old questions with the founder of the museum, Ken Ham. (Via PBS / "Bill Nye the Science Guy")
"There is actually a book out there that tells us where matter came from. ... The first sentence of that book says, 'In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.'"
"The question I have for you, though, fundamentally, what can you prove?" (Via YouTube / Answers in Genesis)
Ken Ham's beliefs align with the Bible and the idea of creationism, which says all life was created by God. Bill Nye the Science Guy is obviously pushing the concept of evolution. (Via The History Channel)
But the debate between these two started long before they took the stage in Kentucky.
In 2012, Bill Nye starred in a Big Think video that currently has more than 6 million views where he urges parents who believe in creationism to not pass it on to their kids.
And as you might imagine, the response to his video was quick. Ham responded to Nye's popular video in a matter of days.
Along with dismissing Nye's claim, he also said, "In fact Bill Nye doesn't even really understand science. ... Bill Nye himself is actually not a scientist. He studied mechanical engineering." (Via Creation Museum)
And so the debate was born. It was announced in early January and was actually met with some backlash for the Science Guy.
"The National Center for Science Education told CBS News it finds such debates counterproductive, in part because, quote, 'For a scientist to engage in a formal on-stage debate with a creationist is to legitimize the creationist position.'" (Via CBS)
But Nye argues any publicity is good publicity. "I think to call attention to this belief system has value. ... The guy challenged me to a duel; what am I going to do?" (Via The Huffington Post)
As for the winner or loser of the debate, it's hard to say who came out on top. But one observer believes the more important fact is that the debate happened in the first place.
"[The debate] proved that people can come together and have a respectful conversation about something that people are very passionate about." (Via NBC)
