Evolution’s pesky flea
Sarfati’s new book rattles the cages of the atheists
by Gary Bates, CEO, CMI–US
Published: 12 August 2010 (GMT+10)
This article first appeared in a CMI newsletter in June 2010
Nearly 500 people attended the Countering the Rise of Atheism seminar in Melbourne.
In case you’re wondering about the strange title, let me explain.
A few months ago, the Global Atheist Convention called The Rise of Atheism
was being held in Melbourne, Australia. It featured heavy-hitters of the atheist/humanist
movement in the world today, including scientists
PZ Myers and Richard Dawkins.
Some months before, our Australian office asked the organizers if they would be
willing to pit the best amongst them against some of the world’s leading creationists
from CMI in a creation/evolution debate. The offer was rejected in a torrent of
insults and invectives, particularly from Myers and his followers, (read
World atheist convention rejects Australian creationist debate challenge).
So CMI decided to arrange its own conference in the same city, same weekend. Attendees
in the packed auditorium were visibly excited and motivated to see that there are
answers to the claims of such rabid antitheists. (See
Countering the Rise of Atheism.)
CMI’s conference was also the launch of a very important book by our own Dr Jonathan Sarfati, called
The Greatest Hoax on Earth? Refuting Dawkins on Evolution.
As you can glean from the title, it is a response to the recently released magnum
opus by the Oxford professor Dawkins called The Greatest Show on Earth: The Evidence
for Evolution. Dawkins’ book is touted as presenting the best evidences
for evolution—and long ages—in one volume. Jonathan’s response, in the short
time it has been released, is proving to be a sensation. Jonathan documents how
Dawkins uses fallacious and straw man arguments in an attempt to discredit creationists.
(Remember, Dawkins
is the one who suggested that teaching creation was equivalent to child abuse.)
But the main reason The Greatest Hoax? is making an impact is because it
demonstrates that creationists have a very sound grasp of the science, despite claims
to the contrary. Tony D. emailed Dr Sarfati and said (of one chapter):
“But of course you showed a consummate ease in dealing with origin of life
issues. Abiogenesis is right up your alley as a chemist and it shows. Thanks once
again for the many hours of hard work you must have put into this book for the benefit
of the saints.”
So why the flea?
When Prof. Dawkins became aware of our response, he called it the latest ‘flea’.
Dawkins is quite fond of being called ‘Darwin’s Rottweiler’ (in
Darwin’s day, evolutionary promulgator Thomas Huxley was called ‘Darwin’s
bulldog’). Dawkins’ self-image of being the ‘big dog’ of
evolution, being pestered by no more than a flea (Sarfati) displays all the arrogance
of some sort of intellectual superiority. We’ve noticed this increasingly
agitated and hostile attitude towards creationists by the followers of Dawkins and
Myers et al, and what followed on Dawkins’ blog was a ‘hatefest’
of spiteful comments aimed at Dr Sarfati, such as:
“To his credit the one thing that Sarfati does undertand [sic] is about
being stupid. He’s in a world class lead there.”
In commenting about Jonathan’s world-class chess credentials, one wrote:
“Afterwards, Bonzo the chimp took on 98 creationists simultaneously and beat
them all in 7 moves while the creationists were trying to figure out why there are
two different colors on the board and why the bishop wasn’t in charge.”
And others on his book:
“There are probably just a bunch of blank pages in there except for the first
page that says, ‘God did it’. Now wasn’t that much easier than
doing science?”
“If I dismiss this book without reading it then I am as closed minded as religious
people who refuse to read Mr Dawkins’ book.”1
These ‘new atheist’ leaders need to be held accountable for inciting
the type of hatred and anger that is being vented by their supporters.
The last comment is odd, because that’s exactly what Jonathan did—read Dawkins’
book, and refute it point by point. There were other comments much worse than this,
but I’m sure you get the point. These comments really lack any credibility,
particularly from the side that claims to have a monopoly on correctly understanding
‘science’. I believe that these ‘new atheist’ leaders need
to be held accountable for inciting the type of hatred and anger that is being vented
by their supporters. In short, rather than have calm, reasonable, rational debate,
the skeptics display all the dubious tactics of ‘playing the man’ rather
than the ball, and arguing from authority. By not dealing with the facts, and instead
attacking personalities, it amounts to no more than religious vilification. The
one ‘religion’ that is always singled out for this treatment is Christianity.
Similar criticisms of Islam, for example, would simply not be tolerated. Ironically
and logically, I suppose, it’s no problem for atheists to hurl invectives
as much as they feel, as they themselves have no logical basis for seeming morality.
However, Christians would be judged more harshly because it would not be in keeping
with Christian morality, for example.
The one ‘religion’ that is always singled out for this treatment is
Christianity. Similar criticisms of Islam, for example, would simply not be tolerated.
It’s ultimately a spiritual battle—but the science is important
The point of highlighting this is because it demonstrates the crying need for informing
people about origins. It’s obvious that the skeptics are criticizing what
they don’t understand, often because they’ve never been exposed to alternative
information before. Sometimes a well-meaning Christian friend has given them amateur/misinformed
arguments for creation, which only hardens their stance. This is why your continued
support is vital. It changes lives by allowing our staff to produce such excellent
resources like The Greatest Hoax? (see the enclosed special sheet) and
it also allows us to continue ministry outreach so we can disseminate information
and overcome prejudice. Lyle L. understood this when he wrote of this new book:
“I couldn’t put the jolly thing down, it was FANTASTIC. … But
it’s just so WONDERFUL to see that Dawkins is rebutted so comprehensively
in this book. CONGRATULATIONS and a huge thank you to everyone at CMI who put in
the big effort to get this book out so quickly. I can’t tell you how much
of an encouragement this is to me.”
Most of all please continue to pray for all our staff, even those who answer the
phones and receive similar comments to above. Thanks for standing with us.
Readers’ comments:
Jason T., United Kingdom, 12 August 2010
The Greatest Hoax on Earth is an absolutely fantastic book. The
only problem with it is that I keep having to buy more copies as I give them all
away to atheist friends! I pray that God blesses your ministry and you continue
with your God honouring work.
Cameron M., Australia, 12 August 2010
Very much agreed. It seems that anyone with and atheist/evolutionist point of view
but not fully informed as to their own ‘arguements’ are generally unable
to respond with anything other than ridicule.
I have listened to an audio track or Professor Dawkins and have found his voice
to be seductive and I think that is the devil drawing the ill-informed deeper into
the wed of deceit. Keep up the Godly work of informing the Believers whom pass this
knowledge to those less informed!
Stephen G., United Kingdom, 12 August 2010
I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate CMI and Dr Sarfati on a tremendously
important book. Hopefully God will bless it with the result that many believers
will be strengthened in their faith and many unbelievers will come to reject the
GTE (p23) and trust in both the Living Word and the Written Word. Christ said, if
they persecute me they will persecute you also so its not surprising that atheists
are responding in such a vitriolic manner. God bless you for producing such a book
and may he continue to use it in the lives of many more.
Susan F., United States, 12 August 2010
I would like to see Dawkins put in a vacuum and let him create what God did in six
days. Considering a vacuum contains NO air to breathe, his first accomplishment
would be to create air so he could remain alive. Does this not prove that only God,
who was, and is, and is to come, could be the responsible party who created all
things from the very breath we now take each moment of our very existence? Prove
me wrong! Put him or anyone in a vacuum and let them prove they can do what God
did.
Arla M., Canada, 12 August 2010
I saw a youtube video of Richard Dawkins reponding to a question raised by someone
in the audience. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6mmskXXetcg)-The question was,
“What if you are wrong”. Richard responded that a person believes in
what they are raised to believe, and that is why they believe in what they do. Talk
about weak argumentation! Was Richard raised as a Christian? If he was, and he converted
to atheism, why would he think that no one else is as smart as him, and would question
his/her beliefs; and if he wasn’t then he admits that he is an atheist only
because he was brought up as one. There is nothing here by way of an answer that
is even remotely scientific.
Joe J., United States, 13 August 2010
After reading Gary Bates’ “Evolution’s Pesky Flea,” I’m
so glad to have added CMI to my regular monthly support list.
I started my contributions 2-3 months ago, and am now ear-marking a MINIMUM of $50
a month to this great cause. I also just finished The Greatest Hoax. FABULOUS!
I’d hate to think where we’d be today were it not for CMI.
Thank you and God bless all there!
Rebecca B., Australia, 13 August 2010
Your ministry is a powerful tool in reaching souls for Christ. I have helped many
of my friends to strengthen their faith in God and the reliability of the Bible
by referring them to your website and resources. I hope and pray that God continues
to bless you and use you to change lives. Thank you.
Bruce E., South Africa, 26 August, 2010
The irrational persecution and hatred of Christians by atheists is nothing new;
in fact, it is promised by Jesus Christ. The ardent pursuit of evolution is simply
a smokescreen for unbelief.
|
Related articles
Further reading
Reference
- <richarddawkins.net/articleComments,5420,The-Greatest-Hoax-on-Earth—a-new-flea,Jonathon-Sarfati,page1#comments>,
15 April, 2010. Return to text.
| The information on this site can change lives—former atheists tell us so. Why? Because it’s information people haven’t heard before. So keep it coming by supporting the researchers and writers at CMI.  | | |
|
