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Author Topic:   AiG's Strategy: Indoctrinate and Isolate
Taq
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Posts: 9973
Joined: 03-06-2009
Member Rating: 5.7


(4)
Message 1 of 4 (663427)
05-24-2012 2:05 PM


Libby Anne recently wrote a "Why I am an atheist" essay over at Pharyngula. In it, she discusses how she argued against evolution but finally conceded that the evidence was on the side of evolution:
quote:
And then I went to college, where my young earth creationist views were challenged. I responded by fighting back. I argued with both students and professors, sure that I had some sort of truth they were missing. I brought out every argument I had, and went back to my creationist resources for more. As time went by, though, I found my arguments effectively refuted by arguments and information I had never been exposed to before. To my utter shock, it seemed that the evidence actually fell on the side of evolution and against young earth creationism. After nearly a year of fighting, I conceded defeat.
What happened next is fascinating, at least to me. Two creationists felt the need to comment: Dr. Georgia Purdom and Ken Ham from AiG. When I read their responses my jaw just hit the floor. They just don't get it, as Libby Anne was quick to point out. Quite frankly, they would have been better served not saying anything at all. In an attempt to explain why Libby Anne left the faith they have given away the farm, IMHO. Here are just a few excerpts from Dr. Purdom and Mr. Ham:
quote:
Libby seems to have things backwards. It’s not that we know the Bible is true because young earth creationism is true, but rather because the Bible is true we can believe what God said in Genesis about the time frame in which He created. Although she read AiG resources, attended AiG conferences, and came to the Creation Museum, I have to wonder how much she really understood what she was reading and hearing. The very idea of God creating in six literal days, 6,000 years ago, and the global flood comes from Scripture (and of course the scientific evidence confirms it)!--Georgia Purdom
So the Bible is true because the Bible says it is true, and Libby should have remembered that. Oh, and the evidence backs it up. Why not just say that the Earth is young because that is what the evidence says? I think Dr. Purdom is revealing more than she may want to with this statement.
Also, if you read Libby's response it is more than apparent that she did know her stuff, perhaps even better that Dr. Purdom does. It's not that Libby did not understand the arguments, it's that the arguments are WRONG. Creationists just can't understand that.
quote:
As we train our children, we need to do much more than just expose them to resources like those produced by AiG; we need to make sure they understand them correctly and are taught to be able to answer questions logically. . .
We can undermine a lot of what we have done if we send our children to the wrong institution (e.g., a compromising Christian college or even a theologically conservative one that does not teach them why they believe what they doand how to logically defend the Christian faith and so on).
--Ken Ham
Both Dr. Purdom and Ken Ham seem to agree on this point. The solution for creationism failing in the face of criticism is MORE INDOCTRINATION. As Libby Anne puts it:
quote:
And the solution Ken Ham and Dr. Purdom make? Double down. That’s pretty much it. Teach the same things, just more. Oh, and isolate yourself and your children from other points of view — oh the dangers of the state college or compromised Christian college!
Creationists, is this really the new strategy? When it becomes apparent that creationist arguments can not stand up to criticism is it really the right move to protect creationism from any type of criticism? Is this why creationists are fighting so hard to get evolution out of the classroom?
Edited by Taq, : No reason given.

Replies to this message:
 Message 2 by Adminnemooseus, posted 05-24-2012 9:15 PM Taq has not replied

Adminnemooseus
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Posts: 3974
Joined: 09-26-2002


Message 2 of 4 (663458)
05-24-2012 9:15 PM
Reply to: Message 1 by Taq
05-24-2012 2:05 PM


It is news, but not a debate topic
It is an interesting piece of news, but...
All I see coming out of making this an open topic, is a massive pile of snark.
Even if a real debate managed to come out of this, it would have no focus. Anything having to do with creationism would be "on-topic".
Other admins may think otherwise, but I'm not going to promote this one.
Adminnemooseus
ps: Regardless, a better topic title would be nice. Something like "Answers in Genesis responds to a "Why I am an atheist" message".

This message is a reply to:
 Message 1 by Taq, posted 05-24-2012 2:05 PM Taq has not replied

Taq
Member
Posts: 9973
Joined: 03-06-2009
Member Rating: 5.7


Message 3 of 4 (663549)
05-25-2012 12:12 PM


I changed the title and have attempted to make the post more conducive to discussion. If it is still not up to snuff that's fine, just let me know and I will reformat for the Links and Info forum.

Adminnemooseus
Administrator
Posts: 3974
Joined: 09-26-2002


Message 4 of 4 (663584)
05-25-2012 2:55 PM


Thread Copied to Theological Creationism and ID Forum
Thread copied to the AiG's Strategy: Indoctrinate and Isolate thread in the Theological Creationism and ID forum, this copy of the thread has been closed.

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