February 4th, Snopes.com ran an article under the “news” section which called creationism, or a view of a literal flood and young earth, a “fully fledged conspiracy theory” of likes of QAnon, the myth of a stolen election, claiming climate change is bogus, claiming COVID-19 does not exist, and that Obama’s birth certificate was a forgery.
Snopes.com added a note: “This content is shared here because the topic may interest Snopes readers; it does not, however, represent the work of Snopes fact-checkers or editors.” However, the fact that they republished it means first, that it represents the views of their editorial board, and second, they proclaim creationism as nothing more than a conspiracy against science or a myth.
Notice their headline:
In the US today, up to 40% of adults agree with the young Earth creationist claim that all humans are descended from Adam and Eve within the past 10,000 years.
This means that Snopes.com claims that up to 40% of Americans believe in conspiracy theories, specifically that they believe the Bible literally.
Notice specifically how the article describes those who believe in creationism:
Such beliefs derive from the doctrine of biblical infallibility, long accepted as integral to the faith of numerous evangelical and Baptist churches throughout the world, including the Free Church of Scotland.
…
I fear that the creationist conspiracy theory will not be so short-lived. It is driven by a deep-seated power struggle within religious communities, between modernists and literalists; between those who regard scripture as coming to us through human authors, however inspired, and those who regard it as a perfect supernatural revelation. And that is a struggle that will be with us for a long time to come.
The author of the article, Paul Braterman, writes often against creationism as an evolutionist. His biographical information reads:
He is now interested in sharing scientific ideas with the widest possible audience, and was involved in successful campaigns to perusuade both the English and the Scottish Governments to keep creationism out of the science classroom. He is a regular contributor to 3 Quarks Daily, and blogs at Primate’s Progress.
His professional goal is to keep creationism out of the classroom. He has been actively fighting anyone who believes in creationism for years, calling creationism a conspiracy theory since 2013.
Understanding the Times
For the nearly 40% who do believe the literal Bible, we must understand what this is. The editorial board of Snopes.com and this particular author who works with theconversation.com both disagree with the Bible. In this article, they claim those who believe the Bible as “dangerously opposed to science.”
What does it mean when you are “dangerously opposed?” It can mean anything. This places all creationists in the category as dangerous people who if allowed to believe these things will hurt world safety in similar ways as climate deniers, and those who are unwilling to get a COVID vaccine or wear masks.
Notice carefully where that places the Christian who believes the Bible: if you believe the Bible as literal, which describes God’s work as supernatural – including a literal six-day creation around 10,000 years ago, then you are dangerous to your neighbor. This author does not say yet what he believes ought to happen to you; however, this is part of a growing consensus among scientists that to disagree with them is essentially not allowed.
The logic is similar in many ways to some in the Critical Race Theory debate:
To not publicly deny white supremacy in one form or another is to accept it. No denial means you are for it.
In a similar way, to deny any part of “science” means that you hold to conspiracy theories.[1]
Those who would hold to the Snopes.com position and that of Paul Braterman believe they must do two things: 1) debunking, which is to fight against disinformation, and 2) pre-bunking, which is to teach others about how wrong these other positions are before someone can get to them and convince them of the conspiracy. The goal is to inoculate someone from hearing the conspiracy and even beginning to think it might be truthful. Simply, it is not truthful because of the claim of the group of scientists who together agree that their view must be the only view. Again, to believe something different is simply not allowed – even dangerous to mankind.
They claim science deniers commonly do five things and they must help fight the disinformation. Deniers have these five things in common: 1) they hold to some kind of conspiracy theory, 2) they refer to fake experts, 3) they cherry-pick specific examples, 4) they hold impossible expectations of what science can deliver (like truth rather than just simply a theory), and 5) misrepresent those with whom they disagree and argue against logical fallacies (create straw men).
If you read the Snopes.com article, Braterman argues all five of these issues inside the article against creationism and loudly proclaims it as a dangerous denier.
Therefore, if you believe in creationism, you must hate all science and want people to die. You may not know that is what you want yet, because creationism is a lower level denial, but you are on the path. Why? Because to believe in creationism is simply science denial. If you are going to deny science, then you put yourself in a position to hurt fellow mankind.
Understand where this goes logically… if you are labeled as a dangerous conspiracy theory, then they can put pressure on all social media sites to kick you off of social media since what you believe is dangerous to others around you.
Walk Wisely with Awareness
What does this mean for daily living?
If nothing else, it means as Paul wrote, “But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come:” (2 Tim 3:1). He further writes:
12 Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. 13 But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14 But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them,15 and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2 Tim 3:12-17)
We as followers of Jesus Christ who believe the Bible must understand that people will not like us. Jesus taught His disciples that people will hate them as they hated Him (John 15:18).
We must do at least two things then as passionate followers of Jesus Christ.
Learn the Bible and Live by Its Teachings
As Paul told Timothy, “continue in the things which you have learned…” We must obey the Bible. To obey it means seeking to live by it in every way possible, as consistently as possible, and as graciously as possible. We allow the Bible to teach us, make us aware of places where we can believe according to the world and not God, correct our behavior, and help us live a disciplined, God-honoring life. The Bible must be our guide for what we believe and how we live as those who seek to live in the image of Jesus Christ as ambassadors of His.
The Bible Must Guide Our Conversations with Those in the World
As Paul wrote in Colossians, “Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one” (Col 4:5-6). As we engage those with whom we disagree and who specifically do not know the Bible or accept its teachings, we must be very wise. We speak with grace. Just because we are treated a particular way does not mean we should treat them in the same condescending ways. Instead, we must graciously speak truth irregardless of how they treat us. When we respond as Paul suggests in Colossians, then we as Christians will be known by our unity and love (John 17:20-26) – even to those who disagree with us. Biblical truth alone is enough to offend those who do not follow Christ; we do not want to add to this complexity by an ugliness of spirit that fails to reflect the Scriptures as well.
KevinCarson.com | Wisdom for Life in Christ Together
After sixty plus years of academic ministry from high school to graduate school, it never ceases to amaze me how illogical is the thinking of many who oppose Christianity. If it were not spiritual warfare, writers/publishers of the bent of this article would never win a hearing. There are many very competent scientists who are creationist. My heart surgeon, whom I would consider a scientist, is highly respected in the university community as such. I hold four graduate degrees. Two in theology, two in counseling and a post-doc certificate in gerontology. Several of my professors in the latter program were either creationist or were non-Christians who held to intelligent design. Romans 1:18ff is the only explanation for the traction such an article gains.
To any reader who read my response to this post, please pardon my pre-proofreading posting. I was distracted by a birth wish call and hit the post comment button prematurely.