Crosstalk: February 9, 2018

​This weekend, February 9 through the 11, marks the 13th annual Evolution Weekend in which more than 14,000 clergy members have gone on record and denying the authority of Scripture in celebration of 'Darwin Day'. They have openly signed a letter calling the theory of evolution a foundational, scientific truth and that we cannot read the Bible literally as we would a science textbook.

Addressing this issue was Ken Ham. Ken is the president, CEO and founder of Answers in Genesis-US, the highly acclaimed Creation Museum, and the world-renowned Ark Encounter. Ken is one of the most in-demand Christian speakers in North America and is author of numerous works.

Recently, the student association at Oklahoma Central University obtained permission for Ken to speak there. Contracts were signed, but eventually the university canceled the appearance. Eventually it was discovered that a professor stirred up those involved in a campus LGBT group to put pressure on the student association. Ken believes that the student association was worried about what might happen in relation to things like safety so they felt they needed to cancel Ken's presentation.

'Evolution Sunday' began in 2006. This effort was started by atheist Michael Zimmerman through his Clergy Letter Project. It's celebrated on the Sunday closest to Darwin's birthday (February 12th) and has seen a name change to 'Evolution Weekend'.

According to Ken, the good news is that there's fewer churches signed up for 'Evolution Weekend' this year than in previous years.

The American Humanist Association has helped to lead the effort to amplify Darwin's birthday. They're part of a movement to get senators and congressmen to try and pass resolutions to honor Darwin. This would involve making each February 12th, 'Darwin Day'. The two resolutions are SR-374 and HR-699.

Ken noted that this resolution isn't simply about honoring Darwin's birthday. There are statements in the resolution against creation, others about climate change and more. So he believes there's an agenda to exalt evolution.