Answers in Genesis

File:Answers in Genesis logo.gif

AiG's logo

Answers in Genesis (AiG) is a non-profit Christian apologetics ministry with a particular focus on Young Earth Creationism, and a literal or plain [1] interpretation of the first chapters of the Book of Genesis.

Answers in Genesis believes that "the scientific aspects of creation are important, but are secondary in importance to the proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ as Sovereign, Creator, Redeemer and Judge," and that "[t]he doctrines of Creator and Creation cannot ultimately be divorced from the Gospel of Jesus Christ." [2]

The organization had offices in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, the United Kingdom, and the United States. In 2006 all but the US and UK branches became known as Creation Ministries International. AiG and CMI employ staff of Christian evangelicals, some of whom have earned doctorates from secular universities in various sciences, including biology, geology, and astrophysics. In 2000, its quarterly magazine, Creation [3], had subscribers in 140 countries, with 60,000 copies of each issue produced. [4] In September 2004, its website, which is available in English and a number of other languages, had 35,000–47,000 visits per day. [5]

History

Answers in Genesis was started in Australia in the late 1970s by John Mackay, Ken Ham, and others who believed that the established Christian church's teaching of the Bible was being compromised in the face of ever-increasing attacks by secularists. The organisation was then known as Creation Science Educational Media Services, which later merged with the Creation Science Association to become the Creation Science Foundation (CSF).

In 1978, a separate Australian organisation started by Dr. Carl Wieland began the magazine Ex Nihilo, from the Latin phrase Creatio ex nihilo meaning "Creation out of nothing". Soon after, CSF took over production of Ex Nihilo, later renaming it Creation Ex Nihilo, and eventually simply Creation. In 1984, CSF started the Ex Nihilo Technical Journal for more in-depth analysis of creation issues. It was later renamed Creation Ex Nihilo Technical Journal then simply TJ, now the "Journal of Creation." It is a refereed journal, reviewed by scientists in the creationist community. [6] Its underlying philosophy is Scriptural, as opposed to empirical:

TJ is dedicated to upholding the authority of the 66 books of the Bible especially in the area of origins. All members of the Editorial Team adhere to the Answers in Genesis (AiG) Statement of Faith and most papers will be designed to support this. [7]

In 1987, Ken Ham was seconded by CSF to work for the Institute for Creation Research in the United States, then in 1994 left ICR to found Answers In Genesis (USA). Later that year, CSF in Australia and other countries changed their names to Answers In Genesis. In February 2006, Answers in Genesis USA became independent (together with the UK office), retaining the brand name and the website. The Australian office, along with the Canadian, New Zealand and South African branches, rebranded as Creation Ministries International. CMI continues the publication of Creation and Journal of Creation and now has a website under that name.

Answers in Genesis publishes books and multimedia resources, as well as a website featuring articles and papers. In June 2006 Answers in Genesis is launching an American alternative to CMI's Creation Magazine, named Creation Answers. It will no longer be distributing the former magazine in America. Answers in Genesis is also expanding into the non-English speaking world with translations and outreach ministry.

Teachings and beliefs

Methodology

Answers in Genesis describes their biblical hermeneutical method as "plain" (or sometimes "Historical-grammatical"), rather than "literal":

Simply put, our bottom line is that the proper interpretation of Scripture is to take it "plainly", meaning "as the author intended it to be understood by the original audience". This incorporates a literal interpretation of a literal context, poetic interpretation of poetic context, etc. This is covered in depth in the article "Should Genesis be taken literally?" [8]

E.g., with Genesis, we can tell it is meant to be historic narrative because it has all the grammatical features of Hebrew narrative, e.g., the first verb is a qatal (historic perfect), and the verbs that move the narrative forward are wayyiqtols (waw consecutives); it contains many "accusative particles" that mark the objects of verbs; and terms are often carefully defined. [9]

Apologetic method

Answers in Genesis emphasizes a presuppositional rather than an evidentialist approach to apologetics. [10] This is not to say that they deny the role of scientific evidence, but that they believe that all scientists start with axioms or presuppositions, which govern how the evidence is interpreted. Thus their view is a form of critical realism.

They believe, for example, a scientist with the presupposition of billions of years will interpret the Grand Canyon as an example of slow, drawn-out erosion. In contrast, they suggest a young earth creationist will see this as a rapid formation by catastrophic quantities of water. Answers in Genesis claims that an understanding of the legitimate biases people hold helps us to better discern between actual evidence and possibly faulty interpretations of the evidence.[11] Answers in Genesis says that neither view can be scientifically proved nor disproved, and they seek to show the evidence better fits with creation than evolution.

Answers in Genesis presents scientific arguments to support their primarily theological views of origins.[12] Many of their arguments against biological evolution are similar to those of the Intelligent design movement, whose position they do not fully agree with (such as disagreeing with the ID movement's views on the age of the Earth).

Views on cosmology and astronomy

Answers in Genesis believes that all stars and planetary bodies were likely formed around 6000 years ago, contemporaneously with Earth.[13] They dispute the big bang and inflationary theories of the beginning of the universe that require its age to be billions of years.[14]

A young universe is challenged by the distant starlight problem which presents the dilemma of how we can see light from objects millions or billions of light years away in a young universe. Some creationists have attempted to answer this with explanations involving God creating light en-route or by claiming that the speed of light was faster in the past, an argument also referred to as c-decay. Answers in Genesis rejects both of these proposed solutions[15] and prefers a model proposed by physicist and creationist Russell Humphreys.[16] Supporters of Humphreys' model, mostly young earth creationists, claim that it uses the theory of relativity to explain how billions of years could have passed in space while only a single day passed on earth. This creationist cosmology requires that our galaxy lie near the center of the universe. They believe they are supported by claims of quantized red shifts[17] which other papers on redshift surveys claim to have been subsequently falsified[18]. Thus AiG rejects the Copernican principle, similar to modern geocentrists, whose position Answers in Genesis officially rejects.[19]

Morality and social issues

Science education

Answers in Genesis does not support laws or school board standards that would force the teaching of creationism in public schools. It is their position that forcing a teacher to present the theory of creation will only result in it being distorted by those who don't believe in it.[20]. Instead of trying to change how evolution is taught in the public schools in what Answers in Genesis CEO Carl Wieland calls "top-down attempts" by "battering away at the education system, or the politicians, or the media", he would prefer to see influence driven by the "changing the hearts and minds of people within ‘God’s army’, the Church".[21] Answers in Genesis is opposed to what they consider censorship of educators who want to teach evidence they consider contradictory to the theory of evolution or why there is controversy regarding this subject.[22][23]

Life issues

Answers in Genesis takes a strong pro-life stance on abortion because they regard individual life as beginning at fertilization.[24] Thus they argue that the circumstances of the fertilization are irrelevant to its status as a human life which should be protected, so oppose abortion for rape and any other case,[25] except to save the life of the mother.[26] They are also strongly opposed to euthanasia, [27] and embryonic stem cell research, but support somatic/adult stem cell research which does not require the death of fetuses.[28]

Homosexuality

Answers in Genesis defends marriage as one man and one woman for life, based on Genesis 1:27 and Genesis 2:24, which Jesus cited in Matthew 19:3-6 and Mark 10:5-9.[29] In claiming that homosexuality is a sin, Answers in Genesis has cited writings by the Apostle Paul in Romans 1:26-27 and I Corinthians 6:9 as well as the Old Testament Law given to Israel which called for the punishment by death for those who commit homosexual acts in Leviticus 20:13. Answers in Genesis believes the punishments described in the Old Testament Law, such as Leviticus 20:13, were for the Jews up to the time of Christ and have stated that they "reject the implication that we are proposing any sort of ill-treatment of homosexuals, or rejection of the sinner, as opposed to the sin."[30]

Evolution and race

Answers in Genesis also connects belief in evolutionary theory with the eugenics and racial theories of Nazi Germany and the Holocaust, as well as Soviet Communism.[31] In dealing with Christendom's own violent history, the group claims that anyone who used the Bible to justify atrocities (such as during the Crusades, the colonization of the New World, pogroms or the burning of tens of thousands of women as witches) was clearly misinterpreting the Bible's intent (e.g., Jesus says to love your enemies and bless them that curse you - in the Antithesis of the Law).[32]

Merged with this approach is the concurrence between Answers in Genesis and some scientists that "race" is a meaningless construct, which Answers in Genesis sees as supported by scripture. Using this line of argument, Answers in Genesis argues that Creationism, along with other Biblical teachings, is the only true answer to the social problem of racism, and that evolution has (and still does) promote racism [33].

To support this view, Answers in Genesis cites selections from early twentieth century biology textbooks (such as Hunter's Civic Biology, the textbook used in the Scopes Trial) which illustrate the close connection between theories of eugenics and theories of evolution. Although historically evolution has been used to support eugenics, scientific racism is no longer accepted by most mainstream biologists.

See also Race

Death and suffering

It is Answers in Genesis' position that God is sovereign and is in control of every event that occurs.[34] Answers in Genesis admits that tragic events such as the September 11th attacks and the Indian Ocean tsunami which killed hundred of thousands of people, while having direct connections to the actions of individual terrorists or shifting tectonic plates, are under the control of God who they believe is "the sovereign of the universe—the One who is continually upholding the entire cosmos with the Word of His power".[35]. They allege that this is a result of original sin. Answers in Genesis rejects the implications that untimely deaths and suffering are always the direct result of an individual's sins and cite passages from the Bible as examples where these were sometimes linked to a greater purpose of God.[36]

Culture and media

Answers in Genesis has accused Hollywood of using "subtle tactics" to slip in "evolutionary content". [37] Movies and television programs they have criticized for doing this include The Munsters, Lilo and Stitch, Bugs Bunny, Fantasia and Finding Nemo. [38].

Tax-exempt status

Answers in Genesis-US is a tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code in the United States of America. [39].

The website of WCPO TV has reported that in 2003, Answers in Genesis-US "did not meet all of the [Better Business] Bureau's accountability standards" (emphasis in original) [40]. Bill Wise, then CEO of Answers in Genesis, answered that this was due to a "miscommunication, understanding regarding document submittals back in August of 2002." (ibid [41]) Answers in Genesis-US is now listed as meeting each of the Better Business Bureau's 19 standards for charitable accountability [42].

The Creation Museum

In the late 1990s and early 2000s, Answers in Genesis in the United States started planning and constructing a Creation Museum in Petersburg, Kentucky, near the Greater Cincinnati International Airport, which will be used to explain Young-Earth creationist beliefs. According to Ham, "One of the main reasons we moved there was because we are within one hour's flight of 69 per cent of America's population." [43]

Amongst its various displays and exhibits, the museum is being designed to include life-size and even animatronic (animated and motion-sensitive) dinosaurs, large movie screens showing a young-earth history of the world, a technologically superior planetarium depicting creationist cosmologies and creationist interpretations of quantum physics, and a life-size model of Noah's Ark housing a conference center and hotel rooms. Dinosaurs believed by young-earth creationists to have existed in the Garden of Eden will be depicted. [44]

The expected cost of the building, interior designs, and exhibits is around US $25 million. As of November 2005, $18.3 million has been raised in donations and the museum is expected to open in the spring of 2007. [45]. Answers in Genesis' success in raising donations for the museum was contrasted with the failure of the American Museum of Natural History to find corporate sponsorship for their exhibit on the life of Charles Darwin, because, according to the Daily Telegraph, "American companies are anxious not to take sides in the heated debate between scientists and fundamentalist Christians over the theory of evolution." [46]

Awards

National Religious Broadcasters awarded Answers in Genesis (Hebron, KY) their Best Ministry Website award in 2006. [47]

Criticisms

No Answers in Genesis is a site maintained by members of Australian Skeptics led by retired civil servant John Stear for the purpose of rebutting Answers in Genesis.

In June 2005, Answers in Genesis-Australia staff scientists debated a team from the Australian Skeptics online on Margo Kingston's web diary section of the Sydney Morning Herald website.[48]

Answers in Genesis has compiled a list of "scientists alive today who accept the biblical account of creation" to show that it is possible for a modern working scientist to accept creationism[49]. They use the criteria that each member of the list must have a doctorate in a scientific field. In response to this, and similar lists, the (US) National Center for Science Education's Project Steve (after Stephen Jay Gould) is a tongue in cheek list of scientists who accept evolution, whose first name is Stephen (or some derivative, such as Steven, or Stephanie). The idea being that evolution is so well accepted by mainstream scientists that even a list of Steves will outnumber any creationist list. Answers in Genesis' list currently has 154 signatories while as of February 16th, 2006 there are 700 "Steves" on the NCSE list.

Controversy over interview with Richard Dawkins

In 1998, Answers in Genesis filmed an interview Richard Dawkins, a prominent evolutionary biologist and Charles Simonyi Professor of the Public Understanding of Science at Oxford University. Extracts from the interview were included on a video From a Frog to a Prince, distributed by Answers in Genesis. The interview, which can be viewed at an Answers in Genesis web page [50], appears to show Dawkins nonplussed and pausing for 11 seconds when asked by the interviewer to name one example of an evolutionary process which increases the information content of the genome.

In an article by the Australian Skeptics [51], it was alleged that the film was carefully edited to give the false appearance that Dawkins was unable to answer the question and that the segment that shows him pausing for 11 seconds was actually film of him considering whether to expel the interviewer from the room (for not revealing her creationist sympathies at the outset). Dawkins reported to the Australian Skeptics that the interviewer shown in the finished film was not the same person as the person who had originally asked the questions. Furthermore, it was claimed that the question had been subsequently changed to make it look like Dawkins, who was answering the original question put to him, was unable to answer.

Answers in Genesis has responded in an article Skeptics choke on Frog: Was Dawkins caught on the hop?. According to their account, the raw footage shows that Dawkins, who had previously been informed of the interviewer's creationist sympathies, was asked the same question and could not answer. The video merely has the exact question, faint on the raw footage, re-stated for clarity.

Definitions, probability and natural selection

Answers in Genesis' view is that Darwinian evolution is not a theory of how life began but rather a theory of the variability in life through natural processes. Answers in Genesis focuses heavily on proving the odds of the origin of life are virtually impossible, where life is defined as the first cell.

Answers in Genesis alleges that while the idea of spontaneous generation of complex life was all but abandoned after Louis Pasteur's work, abiogenesis remains one of the key conjectures of prebiotic evolution. They calculate the probability of a cell spontaneously coming into existence as more than 1 in 10^1057800 [52] (referring to combinatorial analysis). They believe that this event is an outstandingly improbable event, which would appear to require a larger explanation than 'mere' chance.

Scientists and other critics of creationism have pointed out that the mechanisms of evolution such as natural selection can occur prior to the first cell. Selection of self replicating macromolecules, such as RNA [53],[54], cumulate small probabilities and such creationist combinatorial analysis does not account for the true possibilities of life evolving to become a cell. Probability arguments that require the abiogenesis of a cell are criticized as artificially limiting the biological and prebiotic mechanisms in the development of life.

Answers in Genesis has written at a number of articles about natural selection. [55] They state that "...It cannot be stressed enough that what natural selection actually does is get rid of information.", citing one example of natural selection removing genes for short fur in cold climates.[56] Some have mendaciously claimed that AiG overlooks that mechanisms such as gene duplication and polyploidy are examples where new information is available for the selection of new functions, but AiG has addressed this claim.[57],[58]

External links

• Answers in Genesis website
• Creation Ministries website Comprised of former Answers in Genesis offices.
• Answers in Genesis Creation Museum website
• Answers In Creation Old-earth creationist/theistic-evolution–sympathizing site allegedly demonstrating numerous errors in the work of Answers in Genesis
• No Answers in Genesis website A site explicitly critical of Answers in Genesis
• Institute for Creation Research Another young-earth organization that sometimes joins forces with Answers in Genesis but is independent and has slightly different emphases
• Barry Yeoman Creation Nation, The Independent Weekly