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Kent Hovind
Occupationevangelist
SpouseJo Hovind
ChildrenKent Andrew Hovind, Eric Hovind, Marlissa Jewell

Kent E. Hovind (born January 15, 1953) is an American evangelist and prominent Young Earth creationist who is serving a ten-year term in U.S. federal prison for 58 tax offenses, obstructing federal agents and related charges. He established the Creation Science Evangelism Ministry in 1989[1] and, prior to his incarceration, spoke frequently in private schools, churches, university debates and on radio and television broadcasts arguing for young earth creationism. Hovind is currently incarcerated at the Pensacola Federal Prison Camp at Saufley Field, Pensacola, Florida.[2]

Biography

On February 9, 1969, Hovind converted to Christianity. He holds three degrees in Christian education from unaccredited institutions (as an example, Harvard is an unaccredited institution also). He is married, and has three adult children and four grandchildren. His son, Eric Hovind, travels doing creationist presentations and debates using many of his father's arguments.[3]

Starting in 1975 Hovind became an assistant pastor and teacher at three private Baptist schools.[4] Then in the 1980s he opened a Baptist school and church at which he taught and pastored.[4] Hovind has no recognized teaching credentials nor academic degrees from accredited universities in the subjects he taught. In 1989, Hovind started his Creation Science Evangelism with no academic background in science.[5]

In the late 1990s, Hovind created his "Dr. Dino" web site and began producing articles and information as well as selling his own products — video tapes, books, fossil replicas, etc. — to a mass market. On a portion of his website, it states, "None of the materials produced by Creation Science Evangelism are copyrighted," but on the same webpage, at the bottom, it states "ALL MATERIAL (UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED) IS COPYRIGHT © 2007 CSE MINISTRY" (caps in original).[6] Moreover as for his products, each webpage at his online store reads "ALL MATERIAL (UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED) IS COPYRIGHT © 2005 CSE MINISTRY" (caps in original).[7]

Hovind formerly spoke at hundreds of churches, private schools, and other venues each year. In 2004, Hovind was interviewed on Da Ali G Show, in an episode titled "Science" from the first season of the show's U.S. run on HBO. "Ali G", played by comedian Sacha Baron Cohen, told Hovind that the fact that Hovind ate bananas proved that he was descended from monkeys and accused him of failing to flush a backstage toilet.[4] He also hosted a daily radio talk show and has established Dinosaur Adventure Land in Pensacola, Florida.

Hovind derived "substantial revenue" from these activities that appeared to be "income to [him] personally."[8] According to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Hovind "has made deposits to bank accounts well in excess of $1 million per year."[9]

Education

In 1971 he graduated from East Peoria High School in East Peoria, Illinois. From 1972 until 1974, Hovind attended the non-accredited Midwestern Baptist College and received a Bachelor of Religious Education (B.R.E.).[4] In 1988 and 1991 respectively, Hovind was awarded a master's degree and doctorate in Christian Education through correspondence from the unaccredited Patriot University in Colorado Springs, Colorado (now Patriot Bible University in Del Norte, Colorado, which no longer offers this program).[10]

Front view of Patriot Bible University in Del Norte, Colorado taken on November 22, 2006.

Hovind's casual usage of the Dr title, such as being listed in the phonebook as "Dr Hovind," has provoked academics to closely look at how Hovind presents his education and credentials.[11] Dr. Barbara Forrest, a critic of intelligent design, wrote that Hovind's lack of academic training makes it impossible to engage him on a professional level.[12] Specifically, critics of Hovind have charged that Patriot Bible University is a diploma mill, as it has unreasonably low graduation requirements, lack of sufficient faculty or educational standards, and a suspicious tuition scheme, among other issues.[5] The school's current policies allow students to attain bachelor's degrees, master's degrees and even "Doctor of Ministry" degrees in months, rather than years, for as little as $25 per month. Currently Patriot offers a monthly fee, unlike most universities, which only charge per-credit fees.[13]

Patriot will not send copies of Hovind's doctoral dissertation except with his permission.[11] All accredited doctoral dissertations are published by the associated university and made available to the public, so that other students conducting research in similar areas may use the information in the dissertation as a reference. Although one copy of the dissertation is on file at the National Center for Science Education (NCSE) the organization is not able to provide it on request because of copyright and distribution restrictions.[citation needed]

Various criticisms have been made of his dissertation, including charges of incompleteness, low academic quality, poor writing, poor spelling, and ungrammatical style.[11][14] When questioned about his education and qualification, Hovind has claimed that the arguments are ad hominem attacks.[10] Patriot Bible University has issued similar comments.[15]

Creation Science Evangelism Ministry

After receiving his first correspondence education degree, Hovind started Creation Science Evangelism Ministry (CSEM) in 1989. The ministry aims to evangelize people by teaching them a creationist perspective. Hovind reportedly earned $50,000 a year through speaking engagements and, in 2002 alone, the ministry sold more than $1.8 million in Christian merchandise.[16] This ministry does not have the proper licensing nor is it registered as a nonprofit, which resulted in legal troubles mentioned below.

As of January 2007, Eric Hovind, Kent's son, currently runs CSEM due to his father's ten year prison term.[17] Eric attended Jackson Hole Bible College[18] a only one year[19] non-accredited institution.[20] Despite Jackson Hole Bible College's Young Earth creationist doctorine, Kent Hovind disagrees with some of the material taught at the institution.[18]

Dinosaur Adventure Land

In 2001 Hovind started Dinosaur Adventure Land, a young earth creationist theme park located behind Hovind's home in Pensacola, Florida. The park depicts humans and dinosaurs co-existing in the last 4,000-6,000 years and also contains a depiction of the Loch Ness monster. The park does not explore "the Jurassic and Cretaceous eras," but rather "depicts dinosaurs as coexisting with human beings."[21] In 2004 the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry visited Hovind's dinosaur theme park and claimed the "park" is deceptive and purposely misleads visitors.[22] The Southern Poverty Law Center noted the park also "claims that a few small dinosaurs still roam the planet."[23] The venture has encountered legal issues, as the owners failed to acquire a building permit for the park (see below).

According to the IRS, Hovind's theme park and merchandise sales earned more than $5 million USD from 1999 to March 2004.[24] About half that income went to employees who were salaried or were paid hourly wages that worked set hours and signed up for vacations and sick leave. The government believes that grew to the point of earning $2 million a year.[25]

File:Kent Hovind Booking Photo.jpg
Photo of Kent Hovind when he was booked into Escambia County Jail on November 2nd, 2006

Kent Hovind has had several contacts with law enforcement, including charges of assault and battery, falsely declaring bankruptcy, making threats against federal officials, filing false complaints, failing to get necessary building permits, and various tax-related charges. He has been convicted of federal tax and related charges and is currently serving a 10-year sentence for these.

Assault and battery

In 2002, he was charged, but not convicted, with one count of felony assault, one count of misdemeanor battery, and one count of burglary with assault/battery.[26] In December 2002, the charges were dropped by the alleged victim, Hovind's employee. Cite error: A <ref> tag is missing the closing </ref> (see the help page).

Property taxes and zoning ordinance

Hovind was charged on September 13, 2002, for failure to observe county zoning regulations with respect to Dinosaur Adventure Land.[22] Despite arguments that the owners did not need a permit due to the nature of the building, the park was found in violation of local regulations.[27]

On June 5, 2006, Hovind pled nolo contendere as charged to three counts: constructing a building without a permit, refusing to sign a citation,[28] and violating the county building code.[29] Hovind was ordered to pay $225.00 per count. The plea brought to an end the 5-year criminal (misdemeanor) court battle over a $50.00 building permit. In June 2006 Hovind complied with the county law.[30] Hovind estimates he spent $40,000 in legal expenses on this case.[citation needed] On June 19, 2006, the delinquent 2003-2005 property taxes/penalties for Dinosaur Adventure Land were paid in the amount of $10,402.64.

Federal civil tax matters, bankruptcy, and renouncing citizenship

Hovind's Creation Science Evangelism ministry is not listed as a tax-exempt Code Section 501(c)(3) charitable, educational or religious organization by the Internal Revenue Service[31] nor is it considered a church by people who work there.[32][33] Instead, Hovind's various educational and religious activities are run through an organizational structure which, according to the United States Tax Court, appears to be "based on various questionable trust documents purchased from Glen Stoll, a known promoter of tax avoidance schemes."[8] The Tax Court has concluded that Hovind used these trust documents as well as other fraudulent means to conceal the ownership and control of his activities and properties.[8]

Hovind was originally reported to the IRS by Pensacola Christian College senior vice president Rebekah Horton in the mid 1990s, after she learned of Hovind's anti-tax stand. "'We know the Scriptures do not promote (tax evasion),'" Horton said in testimony against Hovind during his 2006 trial, "'It's against Scripture teaching'.... Horton believed it was the college's duty to report the misleading doctrine. 'I didn't want to see innocent people get led astray,' she said. Pensacola Christian College then decided its students no longer were permitted to work with Creation Science Evangelism".[34]

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In 1996 Hovind unsuccessfully filed for bankruptcy to avoid paying federal income taxes. Hovind was found to have lied about his possessions and income.[35] He claimed that as a minister of God everything he owns belonged to God and he is not subject to paying taxes to the United States on the money he received for doing God's work.[36] The court ordered him to pay the money and upheld the IRS's determination that Hovind's claim "was filed in bad faith for the sole purpose of avoiding payment of federal income taxes." In the ruling, the judge called Hovind's arguments "patently absurd." The judge also noted that "the IRS has no record of the debtor ever having filed a federal income tax return," although this was not the court's reason for denying the bankruptcy claim.

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On May 13, 1998, Hovind and his wife attempted to evade responsibility for any promises, debts, or legal agreements made prior to April 15, 1998, by filing a document called "Power of Attorney and Revocation of Signature"[37] with the Escambia County Clerk of Courts. The document reads, in part: "I/we do hereby revoke and make void... all signatures on any instruments...". The Hovinds claimed they had signed government documents "due to the use of various elements of fraud and misrepresentations, duress, coercion, under perjury, mistake, 'bankruptcy'."[37]

In the document, the Hovinds argue that Social Security is essentially a "Ponzi scheme."[37] The Hovinds referred to the United States Government as "the 'bankrupt' corporate government" and said they were renouncing their United States citizenship and Social Security numbers to become "a natural citizen of 'America' and a natural sojourner."[37] In 2002 Hovind was again delinquent in paying his taxes, and unsuccessfully sued the IRS for harassment.[38] The Hovinds referred to their home state of Florida as "the State of Florida Body-Politic Corporation."[37] Judges and the IRS did not appear to honor this as a legally relevant document in future decisions.[38]

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In 2004, IRS agents raided Hovind's home and business to confiscate financial records.[39] IRS agent Scott Schneider said Hovind's businesses had neither business licenses nor tax-exempt status. The Associated Press quoted Schneider as saying "Since 1997, Hovind has engaged in financial transactions indicating sources of income and has made deposits to bank accounts well in excess of $1 million per year during some of these years, which would require the filing of federal income taxes."[40] On June 3, 2004, the IRS filed notices of Federal tax liens of $504,957.24 against Hovind and his son and their businesses due to previous legal maneuverings to evade taxation by moving property between himself, his son, and other legal entities.[41]

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On July 7, 2006, the United States Tax Court (Docket number 011894-05L) found that Hovind was deficient in paying his federal income taxes in tax years 1995-97 in the amount of $504,957.24.[8] The Tax Court ruled that the IRS had a valid, perfected lien on Hovind's property in that amount. The IRS is currently levying against Hovind's property to satisfy his unpaid tax liabilities.[8] In the Memorandum Opinion the judge noted that Hovind's defense was based on "bizarre arguments" and "some of which constitute tax protester arguments involving excise taxes and the alleged '100% voluntary' nature of the income tax."[8]

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On July 11, 2006, Hovind was charged in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida in Pensacola with twelve counts of willful failure to collect, account for, and pay over Federal income taxes and FICA taxes under 26 U.S.C. § 7202, forty-five counts of knowingly structuring transactions in Federally-insured financial institutions to evade the reporting requirements of 31 U.S.C. § 5313(a), in violation of 31 U.S.C. § 5324, 18 U.S.C. § 2 and 31 C.F.R. sec. 103.11, and one count of corruptly endeavoring to obstruct and impede the administration of the internal revenue laws under 26 U.S.C. § 7212.[42][43] Twelve of the charges were for failing to pay employee-related taxes, totaling $473,818, and 45 of the charges were for evading reporting requirements by making multiple cash withdrawals just under the $10,000 reporting requirement (a technique known as "smurfing"). The withdrawals, totaling $430,500, were made in 2001 and 2002.[43] Jo Hovind, his co-defendant wife, faced 44 charges.[44]

The government charged that Hovind falsely listed the IRS as his only creditor in his bankruptcy, filed a false and frivolous lawsuit against the IRS in which he demanded damages for criminal trespass, made threats of harm to those investigating him and to those who might consider cooperating with the investigation, filed a false complaint against IRS agents investigating him, filed a false criminal complaint against IRS special agents (criminal investigators), and destroyed records.[45]

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After being indicted, Hovind maintained his innocence. "I still don't understand what I'm being charged for and who is charging me," he said.[43] Magistrate Miles Davis asked Hovind if he wrote and spoke English, to which Hovind responded "To some degree". Davis replied that the government adequately explained the allegations and the defendant understands the charges "whether you want to admit it or not."[46] Hovind stated that he did not recognize the government's right to try him on tax-fraud charges. At first he attempted to enter a plea of "subornation of false muster," but then entered a not guilty plea "under duress" when the judge offered to enter a plea for him.[38]

At the time of the arrest, Magistrate Davis, over Hovind's protests took away his passport and the guns. However, Hovind argued that he needed his passport to continue his evangelism work. He said "thousands and thousands" were waiting to hear him preach in South Africa the following month. But Davis sided with Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle Heldmyer, who argued that "like-minded people" might secret Hovind away if he left the country. In relation to the guns, Davis said "ownership was not the issue."[43] Because of reports of weapons on the Hovind property, the indictment was originally sealed for fear that "the arrest of the defendants in this case could pose some danger to agents."[47] More than a half-dozen guns were seized at the Hovind's home, including an SKS semiautomatic rifle.[48] Also "During an IRS raid at the home, agents found cash stashed 'all over the place.' About $42,000 was seized."[48]

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Evidence produced at the trial revealed that Jo Hovind had requested financial assistance from Baptist Healthcare claiming that the Hovinds had no income. "'Dr. and Mrs. Kent Hovind do not earn salaries,' wrote Martha Harris, the trust secretary of Creation Science Evangelism to Baptist Healthcare. 'As health insurance is not provided for this couple, we would appreciate (financial assistance).'"[49] However, continues the article "Kent Hovind, a tax protester, makes a substantial amount of money" see above. "On the day the IRS searched the Hovind home, Kent Hovind withdrew $70,000 from the Creation Science Evangelism account. Half in a check; the other in cash.[50]

At the time of the indictment, Hovind's defense appeared to be that although there were 30 people working for him, all of whom received remuneration in cash, none of them were employees. According to Hovind, "Nobody's an employee, and they all know that when they come. They come, they work ... The laborer is worthy of his hire -- we try to take the purely scriptural approach. We do the best we can with helping people with their family needs. There are no employees here."[51] Hovind had also claimed that he was not liable for taxes that and his ministry did not have to "render unto Caesar" because his workers are "missionaries" not "employees".[52]

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On October 21, 2006, the trial began in which he hoped to convince a jury that his amusement park admission and merchandise sales belonged to God and cannot be taxed.[53] After the first week of testimony the trial was postponed due to a defense lawyer's illness.[54] Former and current workers, IRS agents, a bank employee, and a lawyer of a non-profit Christian organization testified in the trial. Workers testified that they had to punch time cards, had vacation and sick days; while others testified Hovind claimed he had "beat" the tax system.[55] During the trial, the judge "admonished" Hovind's attorney for wasting time and asking irrelevant questions.[56]

The trial concluded on November 1 with the defense deciding not to present a case.[57] After closing arguments were presented on November 2, the jury deliberated three hours before finding the Hovinds guilty on all counts, 58 for Hovind and 44 for his wife.[58] The Pensacola News Journal noted, "The saddest thing: Had they cooperated with the agents, they probably wouldn't be worrying about prison sentences now."[59]

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Hovind was sentenced on January 19, 2007 to ten years in prison and ordered to pay the federal government restitution of over $600,000. After his prison term finishes, he will have to serve another three years of probation. A tearful Hovind had hoped to avoid prison, telling the court, "If it's just money the IRS wants, there are thousands of people out there who will help pay the money they want so I can go back out there and preach."[60]

Hovind's teary-eyed court room behavior was in stark contrast to phone calls he made while in jail.[61] One conversation with Eric Hovind, Kent Hovind's son, showed the two plotted to hide a motor vehicle title and property deeds to prevent the government from collecting the property to pay for owed debt.[62]

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At a February 28, 2007 hearing, Hovind claimed, among other things, that his convictions for structuring transactions (cash withdrawals from a bank) to evade currency reporting requirements should be thrown out. Hovind contended that under the rule in a case called United States v. Davenport,[63] the crime is not the individual withdrawals, but is instead the total transaction, also known as the "unit of the crime." Hovind contended that in his case there was no "unit of the crime" "separate and distinct from the alleged act of withdrawing, and without such a separate amount to be structured [. . .] there could be no crime alleged, and no conviction on any charge in Counts 13 through 57."[64] On April 18, 2007, the court rejected the defendants's "unit of the crime" arguments, and the motions for acquittal were denied.[65][66] Jo Hovind's sentence remains to be set.[67]

According to the Federal Bureau of Prisons, Kent Hovind is scheduled for release from prison in July of the year 2015.[2]

Creationism

"The Hovind Theory"

Hovind summarizes his highly controversial version of the argument for Young Earth creationism into the self-titled “Hovind Theory."[68] He acknowledges many contributors to his theory, but claims that if it is proven false then he will personally take the blame. The theory includes a literal reading of the Biblical account of Noah: Noah's family and two of every "kind" of animal (including dinosaurs[69]) safely boarded the Ark before a minus 300° Fahrenheit (~-184°C) ice meteor came flying toward the earth and broke up in space. Some of the meteor fragments became rings and others caused the impact craters on the moon and some of the planets. The remaining ice fragments fell to the north and south poles of the earth.

The resulting "super-cold snow" fell near the poles, burying the mammoths standing up. Ice on the North and South pole cracked the crust of the earth releasing the fountains of the deep, which in turn caused certain ice age effects, namely the glacier effects. Also this made "the earth wobble around" and it made the canopy collapse that used to protect the earth and opened up the fountains of the deep.

During the first few months of the flood, the dead animals and plants were buried, and became oil and coal, respectively. The last few months of the flood included geological instability, when the plates shifted. This period saw the formation of both ocean basins and mountain ranges and the resulting water run-off caused incredible erosion — Hovind claims that the Grand Canyon was formed in a couple of weeks during this time.[70] After a few hundred years, the ice caps slowly melted back retreating to their current size and the ocean levels increased, creating the continental shelves. The deeper oceans absorbed much of the carbon dioxide in earth’s atmosphere and thus allowed greater amounts of radiation to reach the earth's surface. As a result, human lifespans were shortened considerably in the days of Peleg.

The vast majority of the scientific community rejects Young Earth Creationism.[71][72] Furthermore, the plausibility of Hovind's theory has been criticized by both scientists and other Young Earth Creationists.[73][74][75]

Hovind's ideas on evolution, and science in general, have been published in Chick Tracts, comic strips intended to convert people to Fundamentalist Christianity.[76]

Hovind's $250,000 offer

According to Hovind's website, he has offered $10,000 since 1990 to those who can "prove the theory of evolution."[77] Since at least 1999 the offer has been for $250,000[78]

Hovind has made the following offer:

I have a standing offer of $250,000 to anyone who can give any empirical evidence (scientific proof) for evolution.* My $250,000 offer demonstrates that the hypothesis of evolution is nothing more than a religious belief.[77]

Critics view this offer to be spurious because of the conditions which Hovind imposes. The winner would have to convince Hovind that not only is evolution real but that it "is the only possible way the observed phenomena could have come into existence" [5], in other words, he/she would have to think up every other possible theoretical scenario in the universe for the existence of everything in the universe and then disprove it -- leaving only evolution standing at the end for Hovind to accept it as true. Hovind also insists that evolution equates to atheism[5]even though the belief in God is arguably unrelated to evolution and the two are not mutually exclusive. The asterisk denotes the terms which he claims show significant gaps in the gradual progression predicted by the theory of evolution:

*NOTE: When I use the word evolution, I am not referring to the minor variations found in all of the various life forms (microevolution). I am referring to the general theory of evolution which believes these five major events took place without God:
1. Time, space, and matter came into existence by themselves.
2. Planets and stars formed from space dust.
3. Matter created life by itself.
4. Early life-forms learned to reproduce themselves.
5. Major changes occurred between these diverse life forms (i.e., fish changed to amphibians, amphibians changed to reptiles, and reptiles changed to birds or mammals).

This definition of evolution is very different to the one used by scientists. By the generally accepted definition of 'evolution', only item number 5 deals with the process of evolution. Items 1 and 2 fall under cosmology and astronomy, while items 3 and 4 refer to abiogenesis.[79]

Responses

Critics argue that the offer is merely a publicity stunt, that it is deliberately designed to be impossible to win because it requires the claimant to disprove all possible theories for the origin of species, no matter how ridiculous, and that it therefore reflects a fundamental misunderstanding of both science and the scientific method. Critics say that his description of evolution does not match with the scientific definition and that he conflates evolution with other unrelated issues in the description of his challenge (see Hovind's list of "five major events" above). Furthermore, it would be impossible to prove gravity under the same conditions as Hovind requires.[80] Similar issues on the burden of proof are common in most fields of pseudoscience, such as cryptozoology.

Some creationists also do not approve of Hovind's offer. Answers in Genesis said it "would prefer that creationists refrained from gimmicks like this."[81]

Hovind has said a panel of judges would decide if a claim had met his criteria, but he has refused to say who would be (or is) on that panel. He has even refused to say what their qualifications might be. Challengers who have submitted claims to Hovind have become convinced that he does not actually use a panel of judges, in spite of his promise to do so.[82]

The winter 2005 issue of Skeptic included an article titled "Doubting Dr. Dino" by Adam Kisby.[83] Kisby lays out Hovind's arguments in formal logic, and claims to show that the assumptions "God is a necessary cause of the universe" and "The universe is eternal, i.e., un-caused" lead to contradictions. Kisby sent his proof to Hovind and reports that "many weeks later I received a terse reply from Hovind in which he dogmatically rejected my proof." Hovind's reason was "the universe is evidence of a Designer - not proof there is no Designer." Thus Kisby concluded "I contend that either my proof is technically correct or Hovind's $250,000 offer is fundamentally flawed. If my proof is correct, then Hovind is constrained by the terms of his offer to release the money. On the other hand if Hovind's offer is flawed then he is morally obligated to withdraw it or modify it." (See also the Spring 2006 issue of Skeptic for criticisms of Kisby's proposed proof.[84])

Others have approached Hovind in regard to the challenge, addressing it from perspectives ranging from "large-scale evolution" and the big bang[85] to polar bears.[86]

Criticism

From creationists

Hovind has come into conflict with other young earth creationists, who believe that many of his arguments are invalid and, consequently, undermine their cause. One in particular, Answers in Genesis (AiG), has publicly criticized Hovind[87] after he had criticized AiG's article, "Arguments we think creationists should NOT use".[88] In the letter Carl Wieland, Ken Ham, and Jonathan Sarfati stated that some claims made by Hovind are "fraudulent" and "mistakes in facts and logic which do the creationist cause no good."[87] AiG also criticized Hovind for using "fraudulent claims" made by Ron Wyatt in his claims.[6] He is also criticized by Creation Ministries International (formerly AiG Australia). Their article "Maintaining Creationist Integrity"[89] responds to Hovind's criticism of the original Answers in Genesis article.

Hovind has stated that carbon dating -- a method used by scientists to estimate the age of various objects and events -- is unreliable. He has been criticized by Greg Neyman of Answers In Creation, who says that in Hovind's statements "Hovind goes on to show that he knows absolutely nothing about the science of Carbon Dating."[90] Neyman says that Hovind's claim that "scientists assume the amount of carbon-14 is constant" is wrong, and Neyman writes "there are many periods of decreasing C-14, which disproves his theory that the earth is young based on C-14 equilibrium."[90]

From mainstream critics

Hovind is known for his debates against atheists, skeptics and scientists. In May 2004 Michael Shermer debated Hovind in front of a predominantly creationist audience. In Shermer's online reflection while explaining he won the debate with intellectual and scientific evidence he felt it was "not an intellectual exercise," but rather it was "an emotional drama."[91] While receiving positive responses from creationist observers, Shermer concluded "Unless there is a subject that is truly debatable (evolution v. creation is not), with a format that is fair, in a forum that is balanced, it only serves to belittle both the magisterium of science and the magisterium of religion."[91] (see: scientific method). Others, like evolutionary biologist Massimo Pigliucci, have debated Hovind, and have expressed surprise at what they view as Hovind's ignorance of evolutionary theory.[92] Pigliucci indicated surprise at hearing Hovind try "to convince the audience that evolutionists believe humans came from rocks" and at Hovind's assertion that biologists believe humans "evolved from bananas."[93]

In Hovind's debates, he traditionally focuses on points that he claims serve to discredit evolutionary theory, physical cosmology, and geology. He also presents what he claims is evidence for a Biblical flood, a young earth, and the canopy theory. Conventional scientists working in the appropriate fields[94] as well as some young Earth creationists,[95] do not agree with Hovind's assertions.

Others criticize Hovind for his involvement with Arkansas state Representative Jim Holt's Anti-Evolution Bill in 2001 (House Bill 2548).[96] This bill "would have required that when public schools refer to evolution that it be identified as an unproven theory." Some politicians claimed this bill "would have made Arkansas a laughingstock."[97] Holt called upon Hovind as an expert who "testified for Holt before the State Agencies and Governmental Affairs Committee, alleging much of the information pertaining to evolution in our science textbooks is false."[96] As for the legislation, "Holt admitted much of the information in his bill came from Jonathan Wells' ' Icons of Evolution.' "[96]

Critics charge that Kent Hovind's creation/evolution presentations are a mix of Christian Fundamentalism and conspiracy theories.[98] The Southern Poverty Law Center has criticized Hovind because of his selling of books such as Fourth Reich of the Rich, and recommending The Protocols of the Elders of Zion (an established hoax that has been widely used as a justification for anti-Semitism).[99] The Center claimed that Hovind accuses Darwinism of having produced "Communism, Socialism, Nazism, abortion, liberalism and the New Age Movement"[99] The Center also quotes Hovind as claiming that "democracy is evil and contrary to God's law."[99] Hovind has stated that the Jews were in fact framed by the Protocols: "I love the Jews. But The Protocols of Zion [sic] was written to explain how to control the world, I mean, it lays it all out. But it’s really carefully done so that if it is ever discovered the Jews take the blame for it."[70]

The SPLC also criticized Hovind for pointing "his followers to Citizens Rule Book, popular among antigovernment 'Christian Patriots'; Media Bypass, an antigovernment magazine with strong anti-Semitic leanings; and titles by Irwin Schiff, a tax protester with multiple criminal convictions, now serving a thirteen-plus year prison term for various tax crimes.[100]

Controversial remarks

Wikiquote has quotations related to Kent Hovind.

Hovind has made controversial remarks regarding conspiracies, science, creation, equal rights, religion and government over the years. Hovind considers the King James Version of the Bible to be the inerrant word of God that must be taken literally. Because of this, he believes all findings of science will eventually be found to agree with Scripture — which he claims is a priori known to be true. He claims that evolutionists also have a priori assumptions, namely that God does not exist (or at least not one that performed special Creation), thereby distorting their own application of science.[101][102][103] Hovind maintains that biology textbooks are lying and advocates simply taking evolution out of the textbooks because he considers evolution to be a religion.[104] He has said, "I'm not trying to get evolution out of the textbooks, nor am I trying to get creationism into the textbooks. What I'm trying to do is get the lies out of the textbooks."[105]

Hovind has several conspiracy theories about the U.S. government. For example, he believes that the Laetrile actually works as a "cancer cure" and teaches that the US government is conspiring to suppress a cure for cancer.[22] On his radio program he claims that the U.S. government was behind the 9/11 attacks and that a "lot of folks were told not to come to work."[106] He also believes the Oklahoma City bombing was carried out by the government. "Did you know the Federal Government blew up their own building to blame it on the militias and to get rid of some people that weren't cooperating with the system?"[107] He also alleges that "UFOs are apparitions of Satan" and that the US government possesses UFOs.[107] Additionally, Hovind believes that the Federal Reserve, the Council on Foreign Relations, the United Nations, and various other groups are actively planning to create a one world government and that the 1993 World Trade Center attack was staged by the US Government in order to pass "anti-terrorism" legislation that restricts civil liberties. He says, "I love my country, but fear my government. And you should too."[108]

Hovind disregards all fossil evidence, claiming "no fossils can count as evidence for evolution," because "all we know about that animal is that it died," and we do not know that it "had any kids, much less different kids."[109] He also claims the Grand Canyon was not created through gradual geologic processes but rather by the Great Flood as narrated in the Old Testament.

During a debate with Farrell Till, Hovind made the following claim about Donald Johanson: "[He] found the leg bones of Lucy a mile and a half away from the head bones. The leg bones were 200 feet deeper in a deeper layer of strata. I would like to know how fast the train was going that hit that chimpanzee."[110] According to Donald Johanson, this is false, and although Hovind has been informed of this, he continues to make the claim.[111]

References

  1. ^ Fail, Angela (October 18, 2006). "Evangelist's trial begins: Dinosaur Adventure Land owner, wife face 58 counts of tax fraud". Pensacola News Journal.
  2. ^ a b "Locate a Federal Inmate: Kent Hovind". Federal Bureau of Prisons. 2007. Retrieved 2007-04-11.
  3. ^ Hovind, Eric (April 02, 2007). "Trip to Canada and Debate". DrDino.com. Retrieved 2007-05-18. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  4. ^ a b c Escambia County Florida Clerk of the Circuit Court Affidavit 08/10/2005 A court affidavit Hovind presented containing his biography. Note: Teachers at public schools must have an accredited degree and a state teaching license, but this is not always required for religious schools.
  5. ^ a b c "Kent Hovind FAQs". talk.origins. 2006. Retrieved 2006-08-18.
  6. ^ Hovind, Kent (2006). "About Creation Science Evangelism". Creation Science Evangelism/DrDino.com. Retrieved 2007-01-04.
  7. ^ Hovind, Kent (2005). "Creation Science Evangelism Online Store". Creation Science Evangelism/DrDino.com. Retrieved 2007-03-15.
  8. ^ a b c d e f Hovind v. Commissioner, T.C. Memo 2006-143, CCH Dec. 56,562(M) (2006).[1]
  9. ^ "Biblical theme park's finances investigated". St. Petersburg Times. April 18, 2004. Retrieved 2006-08-18.
  10. ^ a b Hovind, Kent (Aug 16, 2001). "Where did you get your degree?". DrDino.com (archived). Retrieved 2007-02-24.
  11. ^ a b c "A Review of Kent Hovind's Thesis by Karen Bartelt, Ph.D."
  12. ^ Barbara, Forrest (September 1, 1999). "Unmasking the False Prophet of Creationism". National Center for Science Education. Retrieved 2007-02-19.
  13. ^ "Finance & Payments". Patriot Bible University. 2007. Retrieved 2007-05-04.
  14. ^ "Know Your Creationists: Kent Hovind", Daily Kos, December 31, 2005
  15. ^ "The Price of Truth". Patriot Bible University. 2007. Retrieved 2007-02-04.
  16. ^ Lozare, Nicole (October 31, 2006). "IRS agent testifies in Hovind trial, Case could go to jury Thursday". Pensacola News Journal.
  17. ^ Hovind, Eric (Jan 20, 2007). "New Mission Field for Dr. Hovind". Creation Science Evangelism/DrDino.com. Retrieved 2007-04-15.
  18. ^ a b Hovind, Kent (2005). "Created and Made". Creation Science Evangelism/DrDino.com. Retrieved 2007-04-15.
  19. ^ Hovind, Kent (2005). "About Jackson Hole Bible College". Jackson Hole Bible College. Retrieved 2007-04-15.
  20. ^ "Accreditation Database and Information". Council for Higher Education Accreditation. Retrieved 2007-04-21.
  21. ^ Rothenberg, Jennie. "The Heresy of Nosson Slifkin". Moment Magazine. Retrieved 2007-01-10.
  22. ^ a b c Martinez, Greg (November 2004). "A Journey to Hovind's Dinosaur Adventure Land". Skeptical Inquirer. Retrieved 2006-10-19.
  23. ^ Jackson, Camille (Summer 2004). "When Giants Roamed: A Florida theme park sells creationism — with an antigovernment twist". Southern Poverty Law Center. Retrieved 2006-10-19.
  24. ^ Fail, Angela (October 18, 2006). "Evangelist's trial begins: Dinosaur Adventure Land owner, wife face 58 counts of tax fraud". Pensacola News Journal.
  25. ^ O'Brien, Mark (November 3, 2006). "Hard to believe a man with a Ph.D didn't know of a basic tax law". Pensacola News Journal. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  26. ^ Case Number 2002 CF 004020 A
  27. ^ Rabb, William (2006-04-07). "Park could face extinction: Lack of building permits closes dinosaur museum". Pensacola News Journal. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  28. ^ (Case # 2001 MM 023489 A) Escambia County Florida Clerk of the Circuit Court Courtviewer Records Search of Kent Hovind Case #2001 MM 023489 A
  29. ^ (Case # 2002 MM 026670 A) Escambia County Florida Clerk of the Circuit Court Courtviewer Records Search of Kent Hovind Case #2002 MM 026670 A
  30. ^ (Case # 2001 MM 023489 A) Escambia County Florida Clerk of the Circuit Court Courtviewer Records Search of Kent Hovind 2001 MM 023489 A
  31. ^ "Search for Charities and Non-Profits Organizations". Internal Revenue Service. 2007. Retrieved 2007-05-19.
  32. ^ Sowder, Amy (October 19, 2006). "Workers testify in 'Dr. Dino' trial". Pensacola News Journal. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  33. ^ Fail, Angela (October 18, 2006). "Evangelist's trial begins: Dinosaur Adventure Land owner, wife face 58 counts of tax fraud". Pensacola News Journal. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  34. ^ Fail, Angela (October 20, 2006). "Christian College leader says taxes are part of religion: Hovind argues God's workers are exempt". Pensacola News Journal.
  35. ^ The Hovind Bankruptcy Decision www.talkorigins.com
  36. ^ Drach, Mike (Dec 15, 2005). "Screw the Taxman: The Weird Ideas of Tax Cheaters". Digital Journal. Retrieved 2006-11-01.
  37. ^ a b c d e Escambia County, Florida Clerks Office May 5, 1998 [2]
  38. ^ a b c Stewart, Michael (18 July 2006). "Park owner pleads not guilty to tax fraud: Evangelist says he's owned by God". Pensacola News Journal.
  39. ^ IRS Raids Home and Business of Creationist Christianity Today April 19, 2004
  40. ^ Biblical theme park's finances investigated Associated Press April 18, 2004
  41. ^ For a listing of liens search the Escambia County Clerk by last name.
  42. ^ Indictment, United States of America v. Kent E. Hovind and Jo D. Hovind, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida, Pensacola Division, case no. 3:06CR83/MCR (dated July 11, 2006; filed at 12:55 pm, July 11, 2006) (hereinafter "Indictment").
  43. ^ a b c d Stewart, Michael (14 July 2006). "Evangelist arrested on federal charges". Pensacola News Journal.
  44. ^ Stewart, Michael (1 September 2006). "Evangelist's trial postponed". Pensacola News Journal.
  45. ^ Indictment, page 8 (July 11, 2006).
  46. ^ Stewart, Michael (19 July 2006). "Creationist's fight with Uncle Sam may evolve into painful defeat". Pensacola News Journal.
  47. ^ "Kent Hovind arrested on federal charges". National Center for Science Education. July 14, 2006. Retrieved 2006-10-18.
  48. ^ a b Michael Stewart (21 October 2006). "Lawyer: Hovind detailed actions: Evangelist said he 'beat the system'". {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); Unknown parameter |pub= ignored (|publisher= suggested) (help)
  49. ^ Kent and Jo Hovind deny having income
  50. ^ Lozare, Nicole (November 2, 2006). "'Dr. Dino,' wife guilty". Pensacola News Journal.
  51. ^ Brown, Jim (July 21, 2006). "Tax-Evasion Charges Baseless, Says Ministry Leader". AgapePress. Retrieved 2006-12-18.
  52. ^ "Tax Evasion Charges Baseless Says Ministry Leader". WDC Media News. 7 July 2006. Retrieved 2006-10-18.
  53. ^ Fail, Angela (October 18, 2006). "Evangelist's trial begins: Dinosaur Adventure Land owner, wife face 58 counts of tax fraud". Pensacola News Journal.
  54. ^ Staff (25 October 2006). "Hovind trial resumes Monday". Pensacola News Journal.
  55. ^ Stewart, Michael (October 21, 2006). "Lawyer: Hovind detailed actions: Evangelist said he 'beat the system'". Pensacola News Journal.
  56. ^ Lozare, Nicole (November 1, 2006). "Judge admonishes Hovind attorney". Pensacola News Journal.
  57. ^ Lozare, Nicole (November 1, 2006). "Prosecutors rest case against Hovind". Pensacola News Journal. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  58. ^ Lozare, Nicole (November 2, 2006). "'Dr. Dino,' wife guilty". Pensacola News Journal.
  59. ^ O'Brien, Mark (November 3, 2006). "Hard to believe a man with a Ph.D didn't know of a basic tax law". Pensacola News Journal.
  60. ^ Stewart, Michael (19 January 2007). "10 years for 'Dr. Dino'". Pensacola News Journal. Retrieved 2007-01-20.
  61. ^ Stewart, Michael (20 January 2006). "A decade for 'Dr. Dino'". Pensacola News Journal. Retrieved 2007-01-20.
  62. ^ "Kent Hovind Jail Calls". Pensacola News Journal. January 21, 2007. Retrieved 2007-01-21.
  63. ^ 929 F.2d 1169 (7th Cir. 1991).
  64. ^ Motion [by defendant Jo D. Hovind] to Reconsider Order Denying Motion for Judgment of Acquittal, Jan. 26, 2007, docket entry 153, United States of America v. Kent E. Hovind, case no. 3:06cr83-001/MCR, United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida, Pensacola Division.
  65. ^ Order, April 18, 2007, docket entry 192, United States of America v. Kent E. Hovind, case no. 3:06cr83-001/MCR, United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida, Pensacola Division.
  66. ^ "Attorneys for Hovinds seeks acquittal on bank structuring". Pensacola News Journal. March, 1, 2007. Retrieved 2007-03-03. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  67. ^ "Judge Rodgers denies appeal from Hovind, wife on tax charges". Pensacola News Journal. April, 20, 2007. Retrieved 2007-04-20. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  68. ^ Hovind, Kent (2002). "Part 6, The Hovind Theory". CSE Ministry.
  69. ^ "Kent Hovind's testimony on Chick.com". Chick.com. Retrieved 2006-10-06.
  70. ^ a b [3] Australian Carl Marychurch's Kent Hovind website
  71. ^ poll by the Gallup organization
  72. ^ Project Steve - Establishing the Obvious William Dembski, Discovery Institute.
  73. ^ TalkOrigins on Kent Hovind
  74. ^ "The Hovind Theory". Kent Hovind.com. 2002.
  75. ^ |Creation Ministries International criticism of Hovind
  76. ^ Chick Tracts: Big Daddy? and Author Claims Some Dinosaurs Live Today!
  77. ^ a b Hovind, Kent (2005). "Hovind's $250,000 Offer". Dr. Dino.com. Retrieved 2006-10-18.
  78. ^ Archived page at DrDino.com (see bottom)
  79. ^ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNZCcTcOPV0&eurl=
  80. ^ "Hovind indirectly admits that his $250,000 Offer is impossible, and is flawed". Truth Radio. 2005-04-05. Retrieved 2006-07-14. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  81. ^ Answers in Genesis: Response to Kent Hovind
  82. ^ Is Kent Hovind A Liar Too?
  83. ^ Doubting Dr. Dino by Adam Kisby
  84. ^ Clark, G. L., et al., Doubting Dr. Dino's Doubter Forum [Discussion of Adam Kisby, Doubting Dr. Dino]. Skeptic (Altadena, Calif.) v. 12 no. 2 (2006) p. 21
  85. ^ John D. Callahan Accepts Hovind's Challenge
  86. ^ Ron Rayborne Accepts Hovind's Challenge
  87. ^ a b Maintaining Creationist Integrity A response to Kent Hovind
  88. ^ "Arguments we think creationists should NOT use". Answers in Genesis. Retrieved 2006-04-12.
  89. ^ "Maintaining Creationist Integrity". Creation Ministries International. Retrieved 2006-06-08.
  90. ^ a b Neyman, Greg (20 March 2006). "Creation Science Evangelism Rebuttal Carbon Dating". Answers In Creation. Retrieved 2007-01-24.
  91. ^ a b Shermer, Michael (May 10, 2004). "Then a Miracle Occurs: An Obstreperous Evening with the Insouciant Kent Hovind, Young Earth Creationist and Defender of the Faith". eSkeptic Online. Retrieved 2007-02-11.
  92. ^ Massimo Pigliucci. Denying Evolution: Creationism, Scientism, and the Nature of Science. (Sinauer, 2002): ISBN 0878936599 page 102.
  93. ^ Massimo Pigliucci. Denying Evolution: Creationism, Scientism, and the Nature of Science. (Sinauer, 2002): ISBN 0878936599 page 102.
  94. ^ Cassidy, Sarah (2006-06-22). "World scientists unite to attack creationism". The Independent. Retrieved 2007-02-02.
  95. ^ "Arguments we think creationsts should NOT use". Answers in Genesis. Retrieved 2007-02-02.
  96. ^ a b c Don Michael, "The Hovind connection: Check your facts, legislators." Northwest Arkansas Times. April 05, 2001
  97. ^ Wickline, Michael (July 2, 2006). "'Extremist' Holt? Well, depends on who's asked". Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. Retrieved 2006-10-19.
  98. ^ Then A Miracle Occurs... by Michael Shermer
  99. ^ a b c "Radical Religion: Creationism gets a dash of anti-Semitism". Southern Poverty Law Center. 2001. Retrieved 2006-04-14.
  100. ^ When Giants Roamed A Florida theme park sells creationism — with an antigovernment twist
  101. ^ "Evolution and Christianity Mix like Oil and Water". DrDino.com. 2005. Retrieved 2006-11-04.
  102. ^ "their position that the King James Bible contains errors and that God's Word can only be found in "originals" which no longer exist is both tragic and unacceptable to me.""Who was Cainan?". DrDino.com. 2005. Retrieved 2007-3-03. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  103. ^ "as in all cases, the King James Bible provides the best translation"Hinton, John. "The Pitch of Noah's Ark". DrDino.com. Retrieved 2007-3-03. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  104. ^ Hovind, Kent (2006). "Hovind's $250,000 Offer". Drdino.com. Retrieved 2006-10-20.
  105. ^ http://www.drdino.com video tape #3.
  106. ^ "Kent Hovind: Semitic Semantics". Kent-Hovind.com. 2006. Retrieved 2006-12-14.
  107. ^ a b "Kent Hovind: Quacky Quotes". 2006. Retrieved 2006-11-04.
  108. ^ Hovind's New World Order (Google video)
  109. ^ Hovind vs Shermer Debate
  110. ^ Bartelt, Karen (March 1994). "On the Till-Hovind Debate". The Real News. Retrieved 2006-11-04.
  111. ^ "A Case Study in Creationists' Willingness to Admit Their Errors". talk.origins. June 12, 2003. Retrieved 2006-11-04.

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