Clergy Letter Project a circus
by Adrian Bates
Published: 3 February 2009(GMT+10)
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The Clergy Letter Project has created a circus amongst liberal clergy
Roll up, roll up!
Yes folks, here we have the amazing spectacle of a ‘wolf in wolf’s clothing’
acting as ringmaster to a performing circus of clergy. Many readers may have heard
of the grandiose ‘Clergy Letter Project’. Simply put, it involves self-avowed
atheist and evolutionist, Michael Zimmerman, inviting churches to endorse evolution—thereby
denying biblical creation.
Incredibly, in their haste to enrol on the ‘dark side’, clergy from
liberal churches across the USA have been scrambling at this chance to pledge allegiance
to the flag of Darwinian evolution. The resulting ‘roll of dishonour’
no doubt delineates with some accuracy the spread of apostasy across the contemporary
Christian landscape. And now, no doubt seeking new worlds to conquer, Zimmerman
is casting a wider net. Reproduced below is a letter he is circulating among clergy
within New Zealand.
Dear Reverend XXX,
I am writing to you in the hope that you will join together with thousands of clergy
and congregations to demonstrate that religion and science can comfortably coexist.
Please allow me to introduce myself and explain. I am Michael Zimmerman and, in
addition to being the Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Butler
University in Indianapolis, I am the founder of an organization called The Clergy
Letter Project (www.theclergyletterproject.org).
The Clergy Letter Project was created to demonstrate that religion and science can
be compatible and to offer an alternative voice to those who claim that modern science
must be refuted if a religious life is to be lived.
For the past three years, The Clergy Letter Project has been sponsoring Evolution
Weekend—an opportunity for congregations of various faiths from all corners
of the world to discuss the compatibility of religion and science. Our events have
been remarkably successful with increased participation occurring every year. Last
year, 814 congregations representing every state and nine countries opted to participate.
I am hoping that Anglican congregations will be interested in participating in Evolution
Weekend 2009 (13-15 February 2009). This weekend will be an opportunity for groups
around the world to elevate the quality of the debate on this important subject.
Participation takes place in each local congregation with each doing what it thinks
would be most productive for its members. Some have listened to sermons (and our
web page lists more than 100 of them) while others have had lunch time discussions
or invited speakers. Anything you deem appropriate IS appropriate. I’ve taken
the liberty of attaching a flyer announcing Evolution Weekend 2009. Participation
will make it clear that despite the efforts of those Christian fundamentalists who
are attempting to pass off their religion as the norm and who are attempting to
insert that particular religion into science classrooms and laboratories, there
are many who recognize and celebrate the importance of other religious traditions.
If you are able to participate, please let me know and I’ll get you added
to our growing list (www.evolutionweekend.org).
I’m delighted to say that New Zealand seems to be having a significant presence
in Evolution Weekend 2009 with seven congregations already on board (www.evolutionweekend.org)!
On behalf of thousands of religious leaders and scientists, and our children, around
the world, thank you so very much for considering this invitation to join in our
efforts to explain the relationship between religion and science to a wider community.
I hope to be hearing from you soon.
Michael
Michael Zimmerman
Office of the Dean
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Butler University
Indianapolis, IN 46208
There is something rather sad and pathetic about this eager flock of compliant clergy.
Assuming they have some familiarity with the Holy Scriptures they must be aware
of the enduring principle that truth is never settled by weight of numbers. Just
one man, Elijah, embodied a moral majority over 400 zealous prophets of Baal. Just
one man, the apostle Paul, outweighed a crowded Ephesus stadium (another circus!)
of rioting idol worshippers. As with Luther these two men stood tall and conquered
by taking their lonely but God-glorifying stand. The fact is that in all ages, those
who reject the inspired Scriptures always seek the broad road of safety in numbers.
As for ‘atheist’ Zimmerman—consciously misquoting Shakespeare,
‘methinks he doth protest too much’.1 It is interesting to appraise his motivation vis a vis
the following truth stated in the Holy Scriptures:
‘Since the creation of the world God’s invisible
qualities—his eternal power and divine nature are clearly seen-being understood
from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.’
Roman 1:20
Taking into account this inbuilt ‘God consciousness’ that the Bible
states all men possess, Zimmerman is easily understood. Under the ‘casual
atheist’ persona is a driven man. A man on a desperate mission to orchestrate
a ‘church-choir’ of clergy big enough to expunge his own inner knowledge
of the existence of Almighty God.
Some readers’ comments:
Joe H, Canada, 04 February 2009
As a member of the clergy myself, I am greatly saddened at the number of shepherds
who are false to their calling to protect and instruct their flocks with sound doctrine
from God’s Word. Indeed, religion and science are entirely compatible, as the faithful
ministry of the scientists writing for Creation Ministries International
confirms! In fact, maybe the real problem is that the humanism preached in many
pulpits today is incompatible with Truth?
M J S, United States, 04 February 2009
That is the saddest most discouraging thing I read today. I went to the site and
saw the list of over 11 thousand pastors who had signed on. And the worst part of
it is that the evolutionists know that it is not compatible with the Bible. These
people are dupes.
Allan P, Malta, 04 February 2009
It is tragic that some churches are ready to participate in this circus of ungodly
thinking. In the UK, these are the very churches that have lost their first love
of Christ and the centrality of Biblical truth. And, as a consequence, have been
experiencing dwindling congregations and worse, churches closing down at an alarming
rate.
I hope that the CMI article: ‘Creation: Timely tool for today’s evangelist’
by: Miche Manignet will be read widely and in all churches.
Creation Evangelism is today’s answer to making the Bible relevant to people
saturated with evolutionary ideology.
Roger S, New Zealand, 6 February 2009
Thank you for your warning. I continue to be amazed, saddened and angered at how
evolution is touted as science, and at how many people accept this deception without
question. Thank you for your continuing efforts to bring greater clarity in this
area, and for your proclamation of Biblical truth.
Maurice S, United Kingdom, 6 February 2009
How does anyone who claims to be a follower of Jesus Christ allow themselves to
be diverted from the source of truth into the beliefs of an athiest?
Did Jesus believe in evolution?
I don't think so!
George M, Australia, 6 February 2009
I find it very sad and troubling that so many pastors and professed Christians appear
to be blind to the agenda and dishonest strategy of this letter which will have
the effect of compromising the Christian gospel even more than it is already.
Me thinks some of the greatest enemies of the Christian Church today are within
its own ranks. And sadly they are completely unaware of it. And they probably won't
realise it until they are completely caught up in the trap that is being so cleverly
set for them.
John B, Australia, 6 February 2009
I am at a loss to understand why there is any need at all for this so-called project
when it is patently obvious that Christianity and science ALREADY co-exist and support
each other wonderfully. It is very easy for anyone with a reasonable intelligence
and who takes the time to be well-informed to see the obvious co-relation between
science and the Scriptures.The preaching of the religion of evolution is not science
but anti-theism trying to masquerade as rational intellectualism. Evolution is both
unscientific and illogical.
Anthony B, United States, 4 March 2009
If you would like to respond to the Clergy Letter in a definitive way, may I humbly
suggest you sign the Creation Letter [http://creationletter.com], a Creationist
response to the pro-evolution Clergy Letter.
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Reference
- This is a common misquote of the actual line in Hamlet
where Queen Gertrude says: ‘The lady doth protest too much, methinks.’
Return to text.
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