Sensationalism sells!
Editorial
by Carl Wieland
‘Loch Ness monster captured!’ screamed the headline, with a photo showing
a diver clutching the neck of something looking like a plesiosaur. This particular
mass-circulation US tabloid often has similar ‘sensational’ reports
which occasionally seem pro-creationist. Not surprisingly, some people seeing it
for the first time write and ask why we don’t seem interested in investigating
such reports—after all, each story has photos and testimonials.
But if one were to take the ‘evidence’ in this particular publication
at face value then one would also have to accept, for example, the photographic
‘proof’ that Abraham Lincoln’s partially decomposed corpse was
recently revived for a few minutes (‘where am I?’) by a secret wonder
drug, that the fossilized bodies of Adam and Eve were found in Colorado (minus one
rib and including fossilized apple tree, from memory), and that (backed by a ‘genuine
photo’) a dolphin had seemingly evolved human legs. Stories of alien activity
mingle with such gems as a giant snapping turtle terrorizing a town for months,
amid ads for all sorts of occult phenomena.
Obviously these are not the sorts of things which would be believed by most Bible-believing
Christians. However, there are claims, circulating widely, of alleged science/archaeological
discoveries spectacularly supporting the Bible, which are also proving that sensationalism
sells, even among Christians. Supporting photography and ‘testimonials’
are as common as in the tabloid paper discussed, but nothing ever seems to really
materialize apart from a stream of books, tapes and videos. The hard evidence is
either not available or is never submitted to experts (Christian or otherwise) for
open, critical scrutiny.
Unfortunately, a Christian audience is especially vulnerable when claims are couched
in spiritual jargon. Surely someone professing the name of Christ would not deliberately
mislead? However, as prominent evangelical cult-busting ministries will generally
verify, this is unfortunately all too common. Their experience indicates that often
the line is blurred between fantasy and reality in some of these seemingly sincere
tellers of amazing stories—they may even have convinced themselves.
Despite frequent humble, self-deprecatory statements, the real message is often
‘I’m so special that God has chosen me to reveal these things to the
world, which is why they (including everybody who fails to accept the “evidence”?)
are out to get/discredit me’. Tales of persecution and hardship are all too
often used to justify the absent or scanty nature of the evidence. ‘They’
may have confiscated it, or it is still ‘over there’ in some tantalizing
form, like buried treasure.
Those who raise serious questions are usually (often ever-so-gently) portrayed as
‘dupes’ or agents of Satan. Such powerful, neo-cultic thought patterns
generate not only funding but fiercely loyal defenders, including some who join
in the active propagation of the ‘evidence’. These are just as much
unwitting victims as anyone else. Others cash in on the ‘controversy’
because, quite simply, sensationalism sells.
Claims of divine guidance (and sometimes accounts of spectacular miracles equalling
anything recorded in the Old Testament) make it seem even more ‘unspiritual’
to challenge these accounts. However, if upon investigation one finds (as we have
done in the past) that some aspects of particular stories turn out to be clearly
fabricated, it would seem legitimate not to give any credence to ongoing claims
from the same source.
We appreciated a compliment made by a pastor recently who was introducing one of
our speakers to his congregation. He said in essence ‘You can trust these
people—I know that they avoid the sort of sensationalism that would “sell
better” in some quarters. And they’ve actually scientifically debunked
some of the more sensational claims you hear floating around.’
That doesn’t mean that we never print mistakes or never need correction. It
also doesn’t mean that every scientific proposal we have commented on favourably
at some stage will necessarily stand the test of time. But it does mean that we
try very hard to be accurate and trustworthy—and to stay clear of dubious
claims.
Christians are called on to believe—but that means believing God’s Word,
not uncritically believing everything we hear or read, no matter how sensationally
it appears to bolster our faith.
In fact, the exciting evidence for creation and the Creator is already quite sensational.
And what could be more sensational than the incredible news that this Creator was
made flesh, dwelt among us, and paid the penalty for the sin of those who believe?
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