On February 4th, Snopes.com ran an article under the “news” section which called creationism, or a view of a literal flood and young earth, a “fully fledged conspiracy theory.” This is a company (Snopes) that Facebook has used for several years to shut down what they call ‘misinformation.’
The author of the article, chemistry professor Paul Braterman, who describes himself as an “anti-creationist,” claimed in the piece that creationists — those who embrace the seven-day creation story as it’s outlined in the Bible — “go to great lengths to demonize the proponents of evolution.”
Particularly frustrating to Bratemen is the notion that the earth is 10,000 years old or less. Braterman bemoaned the fact that 40% of Americans, according to a 2019 Gallup survey, believe in the creationist view of the origin of humanity, which is that we are descended from the first humans God created, Adam and Eve, “within roughly the past 10,000 years.”
“Such beliefs derive from the doctrine of biblical infallibility, long accepted as integral to the faith of numerous evangelical and Baptist churches through the world,” he wrote. “But I would argue that the present-day creationist movement is a fully fledged conspiracy theory.”
Ken Ham, founder of the apologetics ministry Answers in Genesis, pushed back against Braterman’s writing, describing the retired professor as “an ardent atheist” who has actively worked to block the teaching of creationism in schools, primarily in the U.K.
Ham said Braterman “has an agenda against Christians,” noting he went to great lengths to link all Christians with those who espouse the QAnon conspiracy theory as well as the relatively small number of fringe radicals who stormed the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6.
“That’s typical of what these people do,” the AiG founder explained. “They try to demonize Christians by aligning us with groups that we have absolutely nothing to do with at all.”
The decision by Snopes to republish the article (which first appeared in The Conversation) is actually them doing exactly what they say not to do: passing on false information. “Why would I ever trust Snopes again?” Ham asked. “Why would I ever trust their fact checking?” That’s easy. Don’t.
Where is This Heading?
For the nearly 40% who do believe the Bible, we must understand what this is. The editorial board of Snopes.com and this particular author who works with theconversation.com both disagree with the Bible. In this article, they claim those who believe the Bible as “dangerously opposed to science.”
This places creationists in the category of dangerous people who, if allowed to believe these things, will hurt the world — similar to climate change skeptics, and those who are unwilling to get a COVID vaccine or wear a woke mask.
Notice carefully where that places the Bible-believing Christian. If you believe the Bible—which describes God’s work as supernatural—including a literal six-day creation around 10,000 years ago, then you are dangerous to your neighbor. This author does not say (yet) what he believes ought to happen to you; however, this is part of a rising opinion among the ungodly that to disagree with them should not be allowed.
The logic is similar in many ways to some in the Critical Race Theory debate:
To not publicly denounce white privilege (which, ironically, is a conspiracy theory itself) in one form or another is to accept it. No denouncement means you are for it.
In a similar way, to question (or deny) any part of “science” means that you hold to conspiracy theories.
Again, to believe something different is simply not allowed – even dangerous to mankind.
Therefore, if you believe in creationism, you probably hate all science and want people to die. Why? Because to believe in creationism is simply science denial. If you are going to deny ‘science’ then you put yourself in a position to hurt your fellow man.
Understand where this goes logically… if you are labeled as a dangerous conspiratorialist then they can put pressure on social media sites to kick you off of social media, since what you believe is dangerous to others around you. And it won’t end there.
Faithful Unto Death
As Paul wrote, “But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come” (2 Tim 3:1). He further writes:
Yes, and all who desire to live Godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. 13 But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14 But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them,15 and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2 Tim 3:12-17)
We, as followers of Jesus Christ who believe the Bible, must understand that people will not always like us. Jesus taught His disciples that people will hate them as they hated Him (John 15:18).
As Paul told Timothy, “continue in the things which you have learned…” We must obey the Bible. To obey it means seeking to live by it in every way possible, as consistently as possible, and as graciously as possible. We allow the Bible to instruct us, make us aware of places where we mistakenly live according to the world and not God, correct our behavior, and help us live a disciplined, God-honoring life. The Bible must be our guide for what we believe and how we live as those who bear image of Jesus Christ. We are ambassadors of His on this increasingly hostile earth.
As Paul wrote in Colossians,
“Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one” (Col 4:5-6).
Those of us who wish to win the world for Christ must be prepared to come into conflict with it in the process. As we engage those with whom we disagree and who do not know the Bible or accept its teachings, we must be very wise. We must speak with grace.
Just because we are treated a particular way does not mean we should treat them in the same manner. Instead, we must graciously speak truth regardless of how they treat us. When we respond as Paul suggests in Colossians, then we—as Christians—will be known by our unity and love (John 17:20-26) – even to those who disagree with us.
Biblical truth alone is enough to offend those who do not follow Christ; we do not want to add to this complexity by an ugliness of spirit that fails to reflect the Lord that we serve.
Walk with the King, and be a blessing.
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“Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 3:12—15).
