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It is hard enough to be a Young Earth Creationists without having a main proponent of the belief being convicted for cheating the government out of money.
Earlier this year, I told you about how Dr. Dino (Kent Hovind) believed that his Dinosaur theme park could be considered a mission and that he could avoid paying taxes because the people that worked at his park were not employees but missionaries.
Slice of Laodicea reports that he was found guilty on 58 counts of tax evasion and that he faces a sentence of up to 288 years in jail (his wife was found guilty on 44 counts and faces up to 225 years).
There are certainly two different ways to look at this– and at least two different way this will be interpreted by the faithful:
The one way is that Dr. Dino is being imprisoned for the faith. They will say that he was out there trying to do the Lord’s work and that he is wrongfully charged and that we should all pray for his release. He may become a martyr of sorts to certain people.
The second that I can see is that he will be seen as someone who broke the law. People will not have that much pity on him because he knew the law and could not expect to use “a trick” to get around paying taxes.
Whichever way you take it, this has given Young Earth Creationists a bad name, since he was one of the vocal proponents– having his own video series, etc. I didn’t always agree with what he said, and Answers In Genesis told us to listen to him with caution, but you have to admit that this is a blow in the skeptics minds as to the character of those who believe like we do.
My parents were just telling me that on one of the news programs they covered a story in Turkey, where they’ve discovered a people group that walks on all fours. Yep. And the evolutionists are so excited: does this mean that in evolution we will revert back into animals? Yippee! Dad said that they even showed the people walking, and their arms in most instances were long enough that they walked like primates. Weird.
I’m no expert, but I believe in the “young earth” as it dates from Adam. To explain myself: In Gen. 1, some say there is a gap of time between verses 2 and 3, using all sorts of scriptures from Isaiah to Ezekial to show that the earth existed as a sort of playground universe for the angels until the fall of Lucifer. So they believe the earth could be very old depending on how much time went by between God creating the earth in verses 1 and 2, and then the “recovered” earth which begins the days of creation in verse 3. It’s not a popular theory among contemporary Christians, but I’m really finding the study of it exciting!
I’m definitely not a person that agrees with the gap theory. For one thing, wouldn’t that mean that there was death before the fall?
I’m still investigating the gap theory, and so far only by reading the OT scriptures, not much extra commentary. In my limited understanding, ;O), if indeed there was a gap, it doesn’t change the fact that the first death was after the fall. So I’m not sure what you mean? Like I said, I’m feeling it out.
My opinion of Hovind was already as low as it could be, but don’t worry I don’t see his corruption as a reflection on people like you; however I do find your willingness to accept his transparently bad and dishonest science as a reflection on you.
Looks like his jail sentence is a sizeably fraction of the total age of the Earth!! about 3%!!
I think I made it clear that I did not always agree with his beliefs and “science” but I did agree on the historical question of who created the world, approximate time frame, and Creation vs. Evolution.
The IRS has no juristiction over churches or groups affiliated with.
According to IRS Code § 508(c)(1)(A): Special rules with respect to section 501(c)(3) organizations.
(a) New organizations must notify secretary that they are applying for recognition of section 501(c)(3) status.
(c) Exceptions.
(1) Mandatory exceptions. Subsections (a) and (b) shall not apply to—
(A) churches, their integrated auxiliaries, and conventions or associations of churches.
This is referred to as the “mandatory exception” rule. I do think that he was wrongfully accused. Since the beginning of this country the “church” has not been subject to taxes.
The First Amendment clearly places the church outside the jurisdiction of the civil government: “Congress shall make NO LAW respecting an establishment of religion, nor prohibiting the free exercise thereof.”
Religion cannot be free if you have to pay the government, through taxation, to exercise it. Since churches aren’t taxable in the first place, why do so many of them go to the IRS and seek permission to be tax-exempt? (to achieve the 501c3 status)
That is what Kent Hovind was standing on; the first amendment.
I agree that churches are tax exempt; however, I can’t go so far as to say that this is freedom of religion. We’re free to practice whatever religion that we choose, but it is the state that has the right to tax people or to give exemptions. Currently, since it is in the state’s best interest to have people that are religious because they are better citizens (and the way that we were founded– by Christians), there is a a tax exemption that can be applied for.
However, there are times that an institution, to be free of the government’s rulings, must be taxed– i.e. the case of BJU vs. USA where the government told a Christian college that they must allow interracial dating and the school told the government that they would not. Regardless of the merits, the school told the country that it would not be governed from the outside, and they therefore pay taxes.
Romans 13 tells us to obey those in rule over us. In this case, getting a permit is not a sin, nor is not getting it and paying taxes. However, Dr. Hovind chose neither of these, and when confronted he didn’t seek God’s glory first and foremost, but sought to justify himself. And now all Christians are reaping the consequences.
I still don’t understand why God couldn’t have used evolution to create the Earth. The order that he created all the things in the first six days of creation coincided directly with scientific evidence. The fact that God tells us in Psalm 90:4 that one day to us is like a thousand years to us tells us he sees time different from us.
If he used evolution to create, then science would have to admit you guys have a point, and you would have to admit science has a point. And after reading all this, I’m beginning to think it’s not about finding the answer, it’s about you being right and other guy wrong.
What a waste of time.
God could have certainly used Evolution to create the Earth if He chose to. However, two glaring problems are evident if he did.
First, the order of the days in the Genesis account states that God created plants on the third day, but didn’t create the Sun until the fourth day. If each day were a thousand years (which, as you stated is simile, not actually), there would be a gap in there where you have photosynthesizing plants with no Sun.
But the bigger problem is the second. The Genesis account and New Testament scriptures clearly state that death did not enter into the world until sin came in the world. The problem here is that if you have millions of years of death before the fall, then the Bible’s wrong about death coming from sin.
And there’s the biggest problem. We can get into what “day” means examining the words in the language and context, we can get into whether there really is evidence for evolution or whether it’s just a reflection of a worldview, but it all comes down to is the Bible right about sin and death. If it’s not, then why did Jesus have to die?
Looking into creationism was one of my first steps to becoming a Christian. When I realized how deceived I had become during my whole time at school, I was very angry, but then I understood that even that knowledge is important to understand where atheists come from and to be able to refute their theories.
I have seen many interesting films about creatioism, and Hovind was in many of them – although I did not like his “wiser than God”-attitude he presented there.
If one looks for sound creationism and fear of God at the same time, I would like to recommend dr Wilder-Smith and his loving approach.
http://www.wildersmith.org/
He was one of the greatest Christian creationists. I know that his findings are sometimes outdated, but he is worth listening, anyway.
( Encouragement for Kent Hovind)
Mtt 18:21 Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? 22Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.
(To all that speak contrary to the bible, and say it is the truth)
John 9:41 Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth.
(To all that speak contrary to the bible, and say it is the truth)
John 15:22 If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloak for their sin.
(To all that promote lies in the text books)
1 Cor 8:12 But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ.
(Come to your senses all that have not the knowledge of God)
1 Cor 15:34 Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame.
(To all that speak publicly against the word of God, You will be publicly rebuked)
1 Tim 5:20 Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.
(To all that intentionally speak against the Word of God, God promises Judgment)
Heb 10:26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, 27But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. 28He that despised Moses? law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: 29Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? 30For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.
(To all that blame God)
James 1:13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither temteth he any man:
(Every man is tempted of his own sinful nature)
James 1:14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.James 1:13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither temteth he any man:
(All lusts lead to sin and sin leads to death)
James 1:15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. 16Do not err, my beloved brethren. 17Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
(For everyone who knows the truth and does contrary)
James 4:17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.
( Satan is the father of all sin. all Sin is of the devil)
1 John 3:8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning.
(It is sin not to believe in Jesus Christ/ The Word of God. All sin = Death)
Jn 8:21 Then said Jesus again unto them, I go my way, and ye shall seek me, and shall die in your sins: whither I go, ye cannot come. 22Then said the Jews, Will he kill himself? because he saith, Whither I go, ye cannot come. 23And he said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world. 24I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.
(To all that inwardly know what is truth but take the other road)
Mtt 23:27 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men?s bones, and of all uncleanness. 28Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.
( To All: God = love therefore love God)
John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
Lots of good Scripture there, d, thanks for the comment.
My position doen’t change It is Gods word, no man can change Gods word it is eternal no matter how loud the unbelievers yell it does’t change anything. They will stand before God in judgement. I pray for Kent and i stand with him. We don’t have to agree with everything except Christ. Stand up and be counted.