Do creationists lie to promote their beliefs?

Question

Lawnerd asked a question about Richard Dawkins being 'stumped' by an interviewer over an apparently simple question. See Lawnerd's question here:
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20070531061558AA97NrG&r=w#N8VNJXPdMmvQBnHGZOfS

And yet this has been exposed as a fraud years ago. The footage was actually edited to give a fraudulent impression. Here's Dr. Dawkins telling the story:
http://www.skeptics.com.au/articles/dawkins.htm

For this fraud to keep going, people who KNOW it's a fraud must be propagating it. Why would creationists lie? Is their case so weak they know that can't win on facts?

Tootsie & David N: I'm well aware of the distinction between an honest mistake and a lie. My question was simply whether, in the light of *this* premeditated, lying fraud, it's fair to assume that such dirty work is endemic to the Creationists' case. The answers here suggest it is.

CD

Answer 1

Absolutely.

The Dawkins video is a total misrepresentation.

At the Dover PA trial the judge slammed the creationist witnesses for lying. Blatant lies that a 6 year old could see through.

see: http://www.ydr.com/search/ci_3330089


All the creations arguments why evolution is invalid have been addressed years ago. Some creationist sites even have a list of arguments NOT to use. Most creationist sites go right ahead and still use them. (IDiots who post these arguments here are repeating the lie, but probably through ignorance. The web site authors however know better, but prefer to lie.)

And of course let's not forget Dr. Dino. Lies about his credentials, currently in prison for fraud and tax evasion. (i.e. lying to people, and lying to the government.)

Answer 2

Yes, you are absolutely right. I say this honestly as someone who used to be a young-earth creationist, and who is still a Christian. Both the young-earth creationists, and the proponents of intelligent design, lie consistently and willfully. There is no other explanation why, after scientific errors, misrepresentations of fact, and outright lies are shown for what they are, they continue to appear.

To be fair, in some cases the people in question may not be aware that they are doing it, but it is still no excuse. If you want to talk about science, you have to be well informed and read up-to-date sources. Reading decade-old creationist literature and assuming it is right because it supports your presuppositions is not only bad science, it is bad religion too.

I have an account of my own experiences and an interaction with a dishonest creationist on my blog at http://blue.butler.edu/~jfmcgrat/blog/

Thank you for making this point. No religion is served well by dishonesty, and hopefully more Christians will get that they are being lied to. Two books that are really helpful are Ashley Montagu (ed.), Science and Creationism, and Ken Miller, Finding Darwin's God.

Answer 3

Sadly yes, although to be fair many either don't believe they are lying, or are honestly unaware of it.

The most common lies are what they claim are evolutionist arguments, but are really straw man arguments. Men came from monkeys, evolution is random and relies solely on chance are two of the most prevelant.

Claims such as "Darwin recanted" or "All homonid fossils have been proven fakes like the piltdown man" are untrue, but continue to be spread whether in good faith or not. Similarly variations on the "Watchmaker Analogy" are regurgitated, despite being effectivedly rebutted years ago.

Answer 4

Creationists rely on two things... lies... and ignorance.

In either case, the facts are not presented. The moment the facts ARE presented, one of two things happens...

1. The Creationist realizes he has been seriously misinformed, and ceases to be a Creationist.

2. The Creationist runs away quickly and clears the thoughts from his head, never to dwell on them again.

Number 2 is by far the most common occurence.

(Edit _ I Luv Analyzing the Bible... your avatar and name is one of the most clever I've seen in quite a while :)

Answer 5

Thank you for posting Dawkins' thorough explanation.

And to answer you question - yes. Yes creationists do lie.

Scientists occasionally lie too - the difference is, the process of peer review will always show them to be liars.

That's why science works, and 'faith' does not.

Answer 6

Unfortunately, yes. Some uninformed believers in creation do lie, and so do many scientist lie about evolution.
The lie is what we must attack-on both sides of this argument. I believe many "honest" people would be surprised if we could just cut the "crap' and present the facts.

Answer 7

Creationists believe firmly in the bible and that is the truth, it's the basis for their belief. The bible says God created, they share God created, as their message. Is that a lie? NO, they believe it's the truth.
Lie= Noun
1. A false statement deliberately presented as being true; a falsehood. 2. Something meant to deceive or give a wrong impression.
So, my answer to your question is NO, as a whole, NO, and by definition the answer is NO.
There's a bad apple in every bunch...though.

Answer 8

Perhaps this person doesn't know its a fraud. People are easily deceived. To accuse an entire belief system of lying based on one single person's post is way past ignorant. Since the concept of accusing all creationists of lying to promote their cause, kinda puts you in the same boat you're accusing them of, doesn't it? Isn't this your own brand of propaganda? Isn't it true that only one individual creationist sited this particular fraud, possibly in error, yet you're stating in your question, " Do creationists lie to promote their beliefs?" Talk about the pot calling the kettle black. I'm not a creationist, but gotta tell you, its propaganda like this that gives people like you the title of hatemonger.

Answer 9

You can not make generalizations based on the actions of one person. Just as you can not make assumptions about what the actions of one person will be based upon statistics and generalizations.

I would guess that most cases of "bending the truth a bit" come, not when a person is arguing their own case but, when they attempt to DISPROVE the opposition's case.
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Answer 10

Creationists are also involved in tax frauds besides spreading lies in schools.

Just goes to show their nature of work, their greed for money instead of knowledge.