Creation Science News

      By now most people who follow the creation science issue are aware of the victory by Answers in Genesis concerning the tax rebate issue with the state of Kentucky.  I have taken a few days to let this issue sink in, and to think through all the ramifications of this court decision.  This article will discuss the tax issue, and also the ark issue as a whole.

Background

      First a little background. The Ark Encounter is costing Answers in Genesis approximately $100 million to construct.  To pay for it, the city of Williamstown issued $62 million dollars in junk bonds, to be paid for over a period of 30 years, by refunding to the developer (AiG) 75% of the tax money collected within the local area, along with a 2% tax upon the paychecks of everyone working within the area. Thus, instead of the people of Williamstown (and Kentucky) receiving the tax money, it goes right back to AiG. True, one could argue that there would be no tax money in the first place if the ark had not been constructed. Then there is the issue at hand with the court battle...the tourism incentive, which could provide up to $18 million to AiG.  Again, this is tax money that is refunded to AiG.  Therefore, although AiG and Ken Ham claim that no tax money is building the Ark, in fact, up to $80 million, or 4/5ths of the cost of the ark, is indeed coming from tax money, that would have otherwise went to the city of Williamstown and the state of Kentucky.

How Answers in Genesis Won the Court Case

      When I initially heard that AiG was appealing the case, the first thing I did was look up information on the presiding judge in the case. The judge was Gregory Van Tatenhove, a Bush appointee. I quickly learned that his first college degree was earned from Asbury College (as was his wife's). Asbury is co-located with Asbury Seminary. While the college admits a wide variety of students, the Seminary has a doctrinal position, which upholds inerrancy. Based on this, I thought right away that AiG would not have appealed, had they not had a friendly judge.  AiG did not have a very good case, and the only way they would win an appeal was if they had the judge in their 'hip pocket.'  Sure enough, the judge ruled in AiG's favor. Given how bad AiG's legal position was, I would not doubt that Tatenhove is actually an AiG supporter, although there is no evidence to support this.  Kentucky's new govorner, who is clearly favorable towards AiG, decided not to appeal. If the issue was appealed, it would be an easy win for the state of Kentucky. (For those new to Old Earth Ministries, we also have had dealings with AiG's lawyers, whom they like to use to strong-arm people. Their lawyers were also pivotal in Ken Ham's hostile takeover of Answers in Genesis.)

It's a For-Profit Business

      That's right...the Ark Encounter LLC is legally listed as a for-profit business. That's how they were able to apply for the tax incentives.  Answers in Genesis created a non-profit called Crosswater Canyon, solely for the purpose of it being a holding company for the for-profit Ark.  AiG itself could not have applied for the tax incentives directly, as they are clearly a religious organization, and the tax monies could not be used to advance the cause of a specific religion.

Why Not Tell the Truth?

      It is clear that the Ark Encounter is being funded in large part due to public tax money. Yet Ken Ham and AiG vehemently deny that any tax money is being used to pay for the Ark.  The tax arrangements made by AiG, through Crosswater Canyon, are legal...so why would Ken Ham and Answers in Genesis lie about the tax money.  If they had publicly stated that tax money was being used to fund the Ark Encounter, then they would have stayed on the moral high ground...but they chose to deny the obvious. Perhaps they feared the public backlash that might result if they admitted that tax money was being used.  What can we learn from this?  When it comes to money, Ham and AiG are willing to compromise their Christian principles, and are willing to deceive people if they perceive it to be in their best interest.

Old Earth Ministries Position on the Ark

      While we agree with the historical Ark (with a local flood, however), the Ark Encounter will be filled with much young-earth propaganda that has no scientific support. It will be a tool that AiG will use to strengthen the faith of their young earth followers, but it will have limited use for evangelism due to its lack of scientific data.   

    Still, I feel as Paul did in Philippians:

the former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition rather than from pure motives, thinking to cause me distress in my imprisonment. What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in this I rejoice. (Philippians 1:17-18)

     I rejoice that Christ is being proclaimed, even though it is based on false scientific evidence, and based on a desire by a ministry to make money.  My hope is that some may still come to Christ through this tourist attraction.

     OEM's position reveals the real truth about the Ark Encounter (and the Creation Museum). Young earth creationism has steadily been losing believers. Although Ken Ham and AiG will tell you these are primarily tools of evangelism, as someone who has followed the creationism issue for many years, I can tell you that Ham likely sees these not primarily as evangelism tools...but as retention tools.  These attractions are meant to strengthen the faith of people who already believe in young earth creationism...and thus shore up the 'financial support' from AiG's core believers. 

Is there a Loser?

      Given this tax issue, and Ham and AiG's public statements about no tax money being used for the Ark, despite the public's clear understanding that he is using tax money, what is the public's view of Ham and Answers in Genesis? They clearly see Ham and AiG as liars.  One look at the many comments on social media will tell you that this issue has polarized people...most people are either 100 percent for AiG, or 100% against.  Unfortunately, by way of relation, the church loses, as those against Ham's use of tax money also see the church, and Christians in general, as guilty.  People who disagree with Ham and AiG see Christians as greedy liars who are out for as much money as they can get.  Another issue is Ham's 'rubbing it in.' By this, I mean Ham and AiG's attitude, as can be seen in their billboard campaigns, such as this one:

     This sends the wrong message. Ham and AiG are lashing out at their critics, by saying "you can't stop us." This reminds me of kids taunting other kids while playing tag..."Nah Nah, you can't catch me".  Ken, these people you are addressing are people who are probably not Christians...we are supposed to deal with them kindly, with grace.  Jesus said to turn the other cheek, instead, you are hitting right back at them.  These actions only serve to further push people away from the Gospel.  This is further evidence of Ham and AiG's true motives...it is obvious that Ken Ham and AiG's number one priority is not to grow Christianity, but to protect their own believers and keep them believing in a young earth...to the end that they continue to financially support AiG.

Bottom Line

    First, let me say to non-Christians, and anyone else reading this...Ken Ham and AiG do not represent the church...as a whole, we are better than that. Please recognize that Ken Ham and AiG are solely responsible for their behavior, and they do not have the support of the majority of Christians. Second, for Christians everywhere, we need to distance ourselves from people like Ken Ham and Answers in Genesis. For young earth believers, the two other main young earth ministries, Creation Ministries International and the Institute for Creation Research, are much better alternatives for young earth believers.  For old earth believers, both theistic evolutionists and progressive creationists, keep informed about what Ham and AiG are doing, so that we can inform people about this issue, and show them that they are not representative of all Christians.

     As the opening for the Ark Encounter nears, I hope to have the financial means to take a much more active role, so that Old Earth Ministries can use this opportunity to highlight to the media, and Christians, how the Bible supports an old earth viewpoint.  If you are new to OEM, read our about page, and please take a look around the website, and say a prayer for the work of OEM.  As always, thanks for stopping by and reading.  God Bless.