Scorn at creationism reveals a deeper problem

I’m not interested primarily in debunking evolution or expounding scientific knowledge. There are good resources such as “Evolution Impossible” by Dr. John Ashton for those with an open mind desiring to better understand the topic and why more knowledgeable scientists dismiss this theory. 

By rejecting the unproven theory of evolution, I in no way reject my degree in geology, my published thesis in geochemistry, or my work as a research assistant with Dr. Samuel Epstein at California Institute of Technology on the carbon isotope equipment he pioneered. 

I realize that though our dating equipment would place the age of the earth at millions of years on the day of creation, in reality it would only be one day old. Medically Adam and Eve would have been 20 or 30 years old when in truth they were one day old. 

What is of greater significance here is the inference that if you believe in a Creator, you are worthy to be laughed at, scorned, and incapable of contributing meaningfully to society. Behind it is the age-old assumption of an elevated elite who need to rule over the masses: who in their superiority can subject the lower beings to slavery, abuse, or death if to their advantage, as was the case with Africans in England and carried over to this country, with the Jews in Nazi Germany, and with unborn babies today. 

Our forefathers set up a different model: We are created equal by our Creator and have inalienable rights not based on education, color, creed, or age. On the other hand, if we have evolved — and use evolution as our yardstick — then some of us will be a little higher up the food chain than others and just as our dogs need us to rule over them, the inferior will need to be under the rule of the more powerful race and that could end up being a Hitler or ISIS or North Korea where we can put hundreds of thousands in concentration camps if they don’t agree with us. 

I made an effort to challenge this narrow and bigoted thinking, as well as to facetiously ask “Who is Amanda Curtis,” with the hope some people might recognize what is going on — a little like in “It’s a Wonderful Life” when George is trying to help people see the high and mighty Mr. Potter’s ultimate goal: “Don’t you see what’s happening here?” Or the “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington” message: is there some big government machinery at work here behind the scenes? 

Steve Daines, chosen by the people in a primary election, represents the values underpinning the success and development of this great nation while someone chosen by a big government committee, who will support the well-oiled machine of community organization while fitting the bill to get elected and continue to empower the advance of socialism and communism in our country is not the person I want representing me. 

I don’t want to win an argument, but rather try to expose the subtle and powerful forces promoting pride and prejudice and ultimate bondage. All the power and knowledge of this physical world fails to ultimately reckon with the even higher spiritual forces behind it all. If we miss the latter, we miss it all. We can build a great house but if the foundation is sand, it will fall. Jesus said to come to Him, hear Him, and obey Him and then our house will be built on the rock and withstand the greatest storms.

If what I believe isn’t true, what do I lose by believing it? Our wonderful, intelligent, elite class of big government will take care of things; while believing as I do is very pleasant, helps me deal with the evil of this world, and encourages me to love and help others as much as I can rather than be self-centered and narcissistic. 

But wait, will big government take care of things or botch it up as has been the case throughout history? On the other hand, if what I believe is true, those who reject it may have a pretty good life for now, but it will be the only heaven they ever know in an eternity of hell. Since I have everything to gain and nothing to lose, I hope for their sakes I am wrong although I’m so convinced I’m not, I will try to win them to our side.

Olson is a resident of Kalispell.