A Couple More Antievolution Efforts
There’s a poorly-designed and interpreted “poll” of website visitors in a press release, and an “intelligent design” book in the making.
First up, we feed via Google News Alerts that ChristiaNet, Inc. has conducted a poll of visitors to their website
asking participants to decide whether Creationism or Evolution should be taught to children in the classroom. Participants could also cast a vote in favor of both being taught or for neither choice. Voters were given the opportunity to comment about their selection. Because ChristiaNet’s Internet community consists largely of people who claim to follow the Christian faith, the results of the poll were surprising.
Out of 527 participants, 269 believed that Creationism should be taught in the classroom. This figure represents just more than half of those taking the poll. Only 14 voted for an Evolution-only approach to teaching children about the beginnings and development of mankind. Thirty-four said the topic should not be discussed in school and avoided all together. The most surprising number, however, was the 210 participants who believed children should learn both theories. This number may represent an indecisiveness about Creationism among those who claim to be Christians.
No, it indicates the cluelessness of the ChristiaNet “poll”-takers concerning what polls have previously established for demographics here in the US. The numbers in the ChristiaNet “poll” can be pretty completely explained with a strong selection effect for the polling population to be comprised primarily of Christian believers with a bit of a sample bias for literalists within that broader group. In the general population, we know that 40 to 50% of respondents have selected the “God created humans in their present form in the last 10,000 years” option, and that number has remained basically the same over several decades. The next largest group opts for, “God guided evolution” when that choice is available. 10 to 15% of the general population selects, “Evolution occurred, and God had nothing to do with the process”. That last group is almost completely absent from ChristiaNet’s website, and therefore from their “poll”.
The complete arrogance of the ChristiaNet folks when it comes to who can be counted as Christian shows through very clearly. The sort of sectarian divisiveness apparent even in the short space of their press release reinforces quite clearly that they would be inimical to even other Christians who accept both the findings of science and belief in God and Jesus Christ, not to mention having no respect for the beliefs of non-Christians, or for non-believers. And this is precisely why our country is so fortunate to have had founding fathers who recognized the risk that permitting a privileged position for those of one form of faith would cause in internal civil strife, and laid out the principles that keep the sectarian sphere out of the functions of secular government. For them, conflicts between state religion and personal religious freedom were not so far removed in time from examples of hideous excess in pursuing particular sectarian religious dogmas. We ignore the experience at our current peril of entering another period of civil unrest because of sectarian differences.
In other news, there’s another book about “intelligent design” in the making. A two page ad appeared in today’s Tennessean asking for help in getting it published.
Day of Victory!
Intelligent Design Wins over EvolutionAn answer to prayer: Just when it appeared that God may have delayed his
response to evolutionists, enter THE QUEST FOR RIGHT, a masterful
work on creation. [Notice how humble they are]Hope Ministries of Metro Atlanta, Georgia, has published this news
release in an effort to stir up kindred spirits in the Nashville area.
Our prayer is that this will fuel a grass roots effort that will
ultimately be responsible for (1) securing a publisher for The Quest
For Right and (2) the eventual addition of Intelligent Design to
science curriculums.Your city was chosen because Christians constitute some 80% of the
population and it is a major hub of publishing houses. Prayerfully read
the following information to see if you can help Hope Ministries secure
a publisher for this life-changing book.The great gulf of ambiguity that once separated Intelligent Design from
legitimate scientific discourse has been abolished. It is a fact: The
Quest For Right has accomplished that which, heretofore, was deemed
impossible: to level the playing field between forces advocating
creationism and those promoting evolution. A review:I am amazed at the breadth of the investigation – scientific history,
biblical studies, geology, biology, geography, astronomy, chemistry,
paleontology, and so forth – and find the style of writing to be quite
lucid and aimed clearly at a general, lay audience. – Rev. Mark
Roberts, Senior Pastor at Irvine (CA) Presbyterian Church and former
editor of Biblical Reference Books, Thomas Nelson Publishers.The steadfast love of God has moved heaven and earth in order to deal a
deathblow to the tenets of both biological and planetary evolution. No
longer will the Church have to stand idly by while those who oppose God
indoctrinate children against the values of their parents.Creationism has become a laughing stock.
The University of Kansas announced that it would offer a course in
Creationism and other Religious Mythologies. Creationism would be
grouped with the Indo-European concept of the world supported by four
elephants standing on the back of a huge turtle swimming through space.
Paul Mirecki, the department chairman of religious studies exclaimed
with disdain, “The KU faculty has had enough. Creationism is mythology!
Intelligent Design is mythology! It’s not science!” Mirecki sent an
e-mail to members of a student organization in which he referred to
religious conservatives as “fundies” and said a course depicting
intelligent design as mythology would be a “nice slap in their big fat
face.” – MSNBC. Although Mirecki later canceled the class, he was
accosted and beaten by two men who had been offended by his name calling.The American Museum of Natural History joined the fray by opening an
exhibit honoring Darwin. Several hundred artifacts, specimens, and
documents once belonging to the infamous naturalist are on display.
There are also interactive displays and films expounding the importance
of Darwin’s contribution to modern biology. The exhibit represents a
thumb in the eye to every Christian.God has intervened.
The Lord has heard the cries of His people and responded with a
scientific resource on creationism that will stop these onslaughts
against Christianity. The Quest For Right turns the tide by
providing an authoritative and enlightening scientific explanation of
natural phenomena that will ultimately replace the Darwinian view.
For example, the investigation dismantles the hocus pocus responsible
for the various absolute radioisometric dating techniques by which rocks
and other materials are supposedly dated. Absolute-“perfect, complete,
definite; without a prospect of being incorrect.” On these incalculable
formulae and they are incalculable – rest the science council’s claim
that the earth is of great age, accreting some 4.6 billion years B.C.Upon publication of The Quest For Right, the council’s choice of
the superlative absolute will be assessed to be a scurrilous invective,
an “abusive, offensive, even vulgar, connotation.” After all, who would
question an absolute? It is a matter of record that these dating systems
are the tools by which evolutionists have attempted to rip apart the
validity of historical documentations, specifically, that the account of
creation as recorded in the Bible is mythology. The Quest For
Right has changed all of that: the scientific record of creation has
stood undaunted against these attacks and has proven to be an invaluable
asset to the in-depth investigation.The obstacle to teaching ID in the classroom
There are at least 20 states, including Kansas, that are considering
legislation which would add Intelligent Design to science curriculums.
Eventually every high school will come under the rulings. The only
obstacle is the lack of a resource based on verifiable science.Prior to The Quest For Right, proponents of Intelligent Design
ran up against a seemingly impregnable barrier. Perhaps Mr. Michael
Novacek, the senior vice president and provost for American Museum of
Natural History said it best: “A theory can’t only criticize another
theory; it has to offer something in its place. What [Intelligent
Design] offers in place of evolution is not science because it calls on
a creator.”Against the backdrop of a nation embroiled in debate and legal battles
over whether Intelligent Design or evolution, or both, should be taught
in the classroom, The Quest For Right proclaims a “Day of
Victory!” The extensive investigative effort is not only better at
explaining natural phenomena, but also may be verified through testing.
As a result, creationism will no longer be considered a “matter of
faith” and, hence, will not violate the so-called constitutional
separation of church and state. Intelligent Design is true science that
will have a long-term sustainability, replacing the downtrodden doctrine
of evolution.More than an academic resource
The Quest For Right is not only an academic resource designed for
the public schools, but also contains a wealth of information on
pertinent subjects that seminarians need to know to be effective:
geology, biology, geography, astronomy, chemistry, paleontology, and
in-depth Biblical studies. The nuggets from the pages of Biblical
history alone will give seminarians literally hundreds of fresh ideas
for sermons and teachings. The ministry resources contained in The
Quest For Right serve as invaluable aids that will enrich graduates
beyond their highest expectations.A call to arms
The Quest For Right is all new from the get go and is destined to
make headlines that will,reverberate within the halls of academia
throughout the world. However, we need your help to secure a publisher.
Are you a publisher? Please contact the author. Do you either work for
or know a key person in a publishing house? Are you a politician with an
ambition to restore sanity within the classroom? If so, please bring
this information to the attention of a publisher and ask them to review
The Quest For Right. Your personal endeavor may be influential in
winning the battle for the hearts and souls of the innocents within the
classroom. No effort will be so small that it will not receive a
heavenly reward.The first chapters of The Quest For Right have been published
online for an interested publisher’s review. Photos, illustrations, and
supplementary text have been added to lend the look of a published work.
Please have the publisher contact the author, David Parsons, for the
password to unlock the treasure-trove of information. Thank you for your
help.If you are unable to help, take a moment and pray for the publication of
The Quest For Right.Contact: David and Linda Parsons
Hope Ministries, 430 Dan Place SE, Smyrna, GA 30082-2525. Tel:
770-436-0073
E-mail: author@questforright.com
Website: http://questforright.com
I’m not liking that implicit endorsement of a goon squad beating people up. But this ad’s continual casting of the progress of the manuscript being a vindication of religious beliefs may come in handy someday.
Thank you for reproducing our ad in the Tennessean. Hope Ministries is happy to announce that a major publisher has agreed to review The Quest for Right. Moreover, a second publisher is waiting in line in the event the book does not fit the criteria of the first.
Just a further note on the soon coming book The Quest for Right. The author has signed a contract and the first three volumes of the book should be out possibly late summer 2007. There will eventually be probably 7 volumes. So Intelligent Design advocates your Day of Victory is soon to come!!
Back in 1997, I was told by “intelligent design” creationism advocate Phillip E. Johnson that my mere participation in the “Naturalism, Theism, and the Scientific Enterprise” conference helped “legitimate the question”.
In 2005, I helped the plaintiffs in the Kitzmiller case demonstrate conclusively that “intelligent design” was simply “creation science” re-labeled — quite literally.
Any “day of victory” anticipated for “intelligent design” will have to depend on presenting a false history of the movement and on everyone involved failing to recognize that. While a new book may attempt the first part, it cannot guarantee the second part. I will certainly be up for assisting another set of plaintiffs in exposing the essential legal deception involved in trying to sneak narrow religious views into school curricula should it become necessary to do it again. As someone put it, “Intelligent design has had its McLean case, and now is waiting for its Edwards case.”
Just for your information Volume 1 of The Quest for Right is now available for purchase at http://www.questforright.com or tatepublishing.com and Volume 2 is on its way to the printer this week (3/17/08).
I still have not received a complimentary or review copy of the book.
AN IRONY: WHY DID DARWIN HATE A GOD WHOM HE DID NOT BELIEVE EXISTED?
The following dissertation on Darwin is lifted from Volume 1 of The Quest for Right, a series of seven books on origins based on physical science, the old science of cause and effect.
On the outset, the reader should be aware that Darwin was a self-proclaimed agnostic; he did not deny the possibility that God exists but believed it was beyond one’s mental ability to decide if there is, indeed, any divine force. Darwin, in response to an invitation to become a Patron of the Cat Show (September 18, 1872), lightheartedly referred to himself and cronies as “atheistical cats.” By definition, an atheist either does not believe in, or denies the existence of God. Regardless of the profile, agnostics and atheists alike believe that all questions concerning origins, being, and the like may be explained fully by material phenomena and logic; scientists have since added a third dimension, the orderly application of mathematics, called electronic interpretation—read the matter in detail in Volume 1.
A cultural note: a marked distinction separates men who profess to be disciples (followers) of Christ and adherents of the Bible and those who profess to be outside Christianity (called unbelievers). Regarding the current definitions of agnostic and atheist, the text of the New Testament refutes the associated attributes, specifically the possibility that man (for whatever reason) either does not believe in the existence of God or else believes it is beyond one’s mental ability to decide if there is a God. Countering the claim, the Apostle Paul, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, penned, “For the invisible things of him [God] from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they [men who ‘hold the truth in unrighteousness’] are without excuse” (Romans 1:20-22). The things God created are aptly referred to as “the glory of God.”
In deference to the biblical precept, the eternal power and Godhead (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) are clearly evidenced (seen and understood) by the things that God created and made. One only has to observe his or her surroundings; for instance, a wilderness setting with stately trees reaching skyward, colorful wildflowers dotting the meadows, wood ducks by a pool, and animals scurrying about in the underbrush, to realize the knowledge of the existence of God. There are, however, men who do “not like to retain God in their knowledge” (Romans 1:28), and cast down every thought of God. Regrettably, the course of action is not without due penalty: “Because when they knew God [everyone has known God at one time in his or her life], they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools” (Romans 1:21, 22).
In light of the foregoing scriptures, the current definitions of agnostic and atheist are wholly inept: men who hold the biblical precept to be patently false, professing either not to believe or know that there is an eternal power, are neither agnostic nor atheist, but willfully disobedient—willful, “done on purpose; deliberate.” The comprehensive assessment will be fully justified; please read on.
Concurring with the biblical principle, Darwin may be charged with being willfully disobedient, as observed in his criticism of the tenets of Christianity. Of one certainty the reader may be assured, Darwin did not speak objectively when it came to Christianity—objectively, “uninfluenced by personal feelings, prejudices or agendas.” In a bitter denial of Christianity, Darwin complained that he “could hardly see how anyone ought to wish Christianity to be true; for if so, the plain language of the text seems to show that the men who do not believe, and this would include my Father, Brother and almost all my best friends, will be everlastingly punished. And this is a damnable doctrine.” Why was Darwin so embittered? Read Revelation 20:11-15; 21:7, 8.
In order to access an online, audible Bible, and to read the biblical verses in context, go here: http://www.audio-bible.com/bible/bible.html
You may wish to bookmark the site. RealPlayer is required to listen to the Audio Bible.
Darwin once confessed to being a theist, the belief in the existence of a god or gods, in particular the belief that God both created and rules all earthly phenomena. After the publication of the Origin, Darwin charged his original belief in God to the “constant inculcation” (instruction or indoctrination) in a belief in God” during his childhood, which was as difficult to cast down as “for a monkey to throw off its instinctive fear and hatred of a snake.” With self-assurance, Darwin purposed in his heart that he would no longer retain God in his knowledge, resolving instead to become an “agnostic.” The reader is, therefore, cautioned that, whenever reading books and articles about Darwin, most, if not all, biographical authors are predisposed to depict him in a favorable light, oftentimes allowing pro-evolutionist sentiment to prejudice their work.
The Old Testament did not escape Darwin’s inflamed rhetoric; concerning the validity of biblical histories (in particular, the Genesis account of creation), Darwin pointedly declared that “the manifestly false history of the earth….was no more to be trusted than the sacred books of the Hindoos (sic), or the beliefs of any barbarian.” Thus, Darwin likened the creation of the first man, Adam (Genesis 2:7-25), to a mere fairy tale. As an alternative to the counterfactual history, he summarily disposed of both creationism and God by declaring in the Origin that, once the reader entertains the “volumne (sic) on the origin of species…light will be thrown on the origin of man and his history,” meaning that man and apes diverged from a common ancestor through the agency of evolution without the aid or influence of God—there is no God.
You will not want to miss the adventure of a lifetime which awaits you in Volume 1 of The Quest for Right.
The Quest for Right, a series of 7 textbooks created for the public schools, represents the ultimate marriage between an in-depth knowledge of biblical phenomena and natural and physical sciences. The several volumes have accomplished that which, heretofore, was deemed impossible: to level the playing field between those who desire a return to physical science in the classroom and those who embrace the theory of evolution. The Quest for Right turns the tide by providing an authoritative and enlightening scientific explanation of natural phenomena which will ultimately dethrone the unprofitable Darwinian view.
Visit the official website for additional information: http://questforright.com
Purchase the book at one of these fine stores: Barnesandnoble.com, Target.com, Amazon.com, Borders.com, Booksamillion.com, Tatepublishing.com, and many others. Hardback. In stock.
I still haven’t received a review copy of the book. I think it is bad form for the author to use my blog for free advertising and fail to respond to requests for a review copy of the book(s).
How is discussing Darwin (and botching even the historical stuff) helping out with the project of “leveling the playing field” between antievolution and science?