Creationist Ken Ham is feeling "drained" after his nearly three-hour debate with "Science Guy" Bill Nye Tuesday night, though he said he's encouraged that the high-profile face-off sparked worldwide interest in further exploring and contesting evolutionary theory.
"I think what goes over in your mind is, 'Should I have said that, should I have said this? I wish I wouldn't have said that,'" Ham reflected to TheBlaze after the debate.
But aside from normal self-assessments about his performance, Ham said he's encouraged overall by the widespread attention the subject is getting.
Creation Museum head Ken Ham speaks during a debate on evolution with TV's "Science Guy" Bill Nye, not shown, at the Creation Museum Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2014, in Petersburg, Ky. (AP/The Courier-Journal, Matt Stone)
"You know what, you just type in 'Ken Ham, 'Bill Nye' on the Internet -- people all over the world just blogged and eyeballs and chat rooms all talking about this issue," he said. "I think the one great thing that can come out of this is it causes people to discuss these issues."
Ham, the head of the Creation Museum in Petersburg, Ky., cited a husband and wife who were followed by a local news outlet as they went to the debate. The two, who embrace evolution, said afterward that while their views hadn't changed on the matter, hearing Ham made them want to further explore the issue.
"That to me -- if that happened -- I say the debate is worth it," he said.
Ham said the event also provided an example of how two people with diametrically opposed worldviews can come together to discuss their disagreement with class.
"I hope that last night even set an example for people on how you can debate a very contentious issue, but with great respect for each other," he added. "I didn't want to attack him personally. I wanted to talk about the importance of the issue."
Ham said, however, that there were a few moments in which be believes Nye "attacked Christians," though the overall tone of the debate was one of respect.
After the debate, Ham said that both he and Nye agreed that they would be able to hold mutual respect for one another -- and maybe even a friendship -- despite their vast differences.
TV's "Science Guy" Bill Nye stand speaks during a debate on evolution with Creation Museum head Ken Ham, Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2014, at the Petersburg, Ky. museum. (AP/Dylan Lovan)
In fact, both men signed autographs for one another after the debate concluded.
Ham, founder of the Christian group Answers in Genesis, has long argued that creationists have been shut out by establishment scientists and organizations like the American Civil Liberties Union, which he believes stymie discussions about humanity's origins.
As for Ham's outlook moving forward, he's hoping that more Christians actually study evolution and consider teaching the theory to their children.
Creation Museum head Ken Ham, right, speaks during a debate on evolution with TV's "Science Guy" Bill Nye, at the Creation Museum Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2014, in Petersburg, Ky. (AP Photo/The Courier-Journal, Matt Stone)
"I think every Christian should teach their kid about evolution," he said. "The more they know about it, I think they will understand it's just not true."
For a recap and to watch the nearly three-hour debate, go here.
Watch: TheBlaze Editor-in-Chief Scott Baker discusses this story with TheBlaze Faith editor Billy Hallowell:
