Reasons to Believe - on Ray Comfort's new DVD "Evolution vs Go

[~candice~]

I got this in my email today, from RTB (Reasons to Believe).

 

Your thoughts?

 

A Review of Evolution vs. God

By Dr. Jeff Zweerink

 

Today’s post represents a departure from the norm. It’s a “reason to be cautious” in sharing reasons for faith in Christ. A number of Christians are promoting evangelist Ray Comfort’s new DVD, Evolution vs. God. Although the video contains some valid content, its questionable treatment of science and scientists—with an attack mindset and a goal to make scientists look stupid—causes me to advise extreme caution. Bluntly, I see this video as counter to our evangelistic mission. I cannot think of one biblical example where Jesus ridiculed nonbelievers who held erroneous views—although he harshly rebuked the religious leaders who were supposed to guide people toward Him.

 

 

****

 

 

Evolution vs. God, a new DVD from Christian evangelist Ray Comfort that claims to “debunk evolution,” releases this Wednesday, August 7. The DVD’s Facebook page tells viewers who accept evolution to “prepare to have your faith shaken.” Hearing considerable buzz in the Christian community about this video, I decided to watch it and offer some comments. I was looking for two specific things: (1) does the film persuasively debunk evolution? and (2) does it present an accurate portrayal of the scientific community, specifically of those who embrace evolution? Unfortunately, Evolution vs. God does neither. In fact, it may well damage Christian outreach to scientists. 

Evolution Debunked?

Thus begins the promotional trailer for Evolution vs. God. The film promises to discredit Darwinian evolution in a way that persuades even evolutionary scientists at the most prestigious universities. The film shows Comfort, the founder of Living Waters, talking with various people about the evidence for evolution (these clips fill about 25 minutes of screen time).

Imagine visiting some of the world’s most prestigious universities, interviewing top evolutionary scientists, atheists, and holding their feet to the fire until it’s clear that there is no evidence for Darwinian evolution, that it’s not scientific.

Given the trailer’s claim, I expected to hear responses from some top scientists. Instead nearly 75 percent of the interviews are with students in various majors. Only four of the interviewees are university faculty members (two from UCLA and one each from USC and the University of Minnesota, Morris). Often the students fumble over Comfort’s cunning questions, and yet a number of articulate answers did emerge. The faculty members provide far more detailed and thorough answers. However, Comfort dismisses any reply that fails to meet his contrived criteria.

Based on the interviews shown, Comfort’s questioning raises no real doubts in the mind of the scientists, and I saw little to indicate that those students who lacked clear answers change their mind based on the interview questions. In my perspective, the video does an ineffective job of “debunking” evolution.

Scientists Portrayal?

The interviews with the scientists appear to present an accurate, but incomplete, perspective of their views. However, the overall video creates a distorted impression of evolution and evolutionists, especially due to the inclusion of the students’ less articulate answers. Thus, the film seems to lead to the conclusion that those who believe in evolution:

1. cannot articulate the theory in any understandable fashion;
2. do so based on little to no evidence; 
3. accept evolution only so they can follow their animal instincts without accountability;
4. actively deceive others into believing evolution; and
5. do science simply by dreaming things up.

This portrayal, while it may hold true for some individuals, is far from an accurate depiction of the majority of scientists. For example, if item three were true, then we could not account for the fact that some mature, Bible-believing Christians such as Francis Collins, Darrell Falk, and Deborah Haarsmaalso believe in some form of evolution. Make no mistake, I disagree with these fellow Christians about evolution. However, what I know of them and of their character gives me no reason to associate them with this depiction.

A Glaring Problem

The biggest intellectual issue I have with Evolution vs. God lies in its definition of faith. It seems that Comfort’s main intention is to show that just as Christians have faith in God, so scientists have faith in evolution—with no observable evidence to buttress this belief. This is far from an accurate depiction of biblical faith.

Christians define faith as reasonable trust in a demonstrably reliable authority. Ultimately, God is that authority. We know of His reliability through His two revelations—Scripture and creation. Science is one of the main tools we use to understand His creation and to demonstrate His trustworthiness.   

The Bottom Line

In Matthew 7:12, Jesus commands His followers, “[T]reat people the same way you want them to treat you, for this is the Law and the Prophets.” It’s the classic Golden Rule. Atheists could easily produce a similar video making Christians look stupid. If, as a Christian, you would find such a video objectionable, then please do not promote Evolution vs. God.

 

[Guest ninhao]

I'm not sure what Mr Comfort hopes to achieve with this movie. I have a review from the Living Waters website.

 

“How amazing that the Everest-like mountain of hard evidence for evolution might be razed to the ground in one brief 38-minute film by a man with only a high school education and a reputation for being, as Dawkins says, an idiot…And if Ray’s film does what it claims, it will mean a scientific revolution on a scale the like of which has never been seen in the history of humanity.” — Ingrid Hansen Smythe, Skeptic.com

 

Note this quote has been mined from a larger review and totally misrepresents the writer.  ( http://www.skeptic.com/eskeptic/13-07-31/ )

 

I'm not sure what Mr Comfort hopes to achieve by misrepresenting people.

 

 

[~candice~]

Right nin... no idea!

[~candice~]

Thanks Gerard.

 

I'm really not that disturbed by modern science in that I don't see it as a challenge to my faith. I am not a young earther.

 

What I do have issue with is philosophical naturalism. That is - I find it errant and wanting .

[JDavis]

Thanks for posting this Candice, I am a huge fan of RTB.   They did a great job breaking down Comforts "movie".

 

I don't know if you listen to podcast, but RTB has one called "I didn't know that" which is my favorite podcast, you might want to check it out

[InfoCentral]

What really disappoints me among those who buy into Comfort's game is how he convinces them that he's actually "disproved evolution".

 

The purpose of this movie was not to try to disprove evolution.  That would take far too long and get into areas Ray even admits he is not qualified enough to debate.  The purpose of the movie was to show 1) that people who believe in evolution do so with a certain amount of FAITH and 2) to present the gospel message.  Ray is not an apologist he is an evangelist.

 

Evolution Vs. God (movie) Edited September 10, 2013 by InfoCentral

[RobbyPants]

I'm not sure what Mr Comfort hopes to achieve by misrepresenting people.

While I'm certainly not accusing all, or even most Christians of this, there are a non-zero number that believe that it is okay to "lie for Jesus". This basically means they view it as okay to lie, if the end result is saving a soul. It's possible Ray Comfort is one of them.

All I'll say at this point is that on the "other side" of the evolution/creationism thing, Ray Comfort is seen as a joke, about at the same level as Kent Hovind.

That wouldn't surprise me, given that Ray also brought us the banana argument, the coke can argument, and the parachute argument.

[kwikphilly]

God bless you Candice!

        There is really nothing to add(for me)....my sister,I believe you nailed it in your summarization...you said it all.I was very saddened by the thought that Mr.Comfort may be the only portrayal of a Christian that one has ever seen,poor representation at best.

       I definitely will not be promoting this nonsense and thank you for making me aware of it......glory to God

                                                                                                                                                             With love,in Christ-Kwik

[InfoCentral]

I'm not sure what Mr Comfort hopes to achieve with this movie.

 

I talked to my Pastor and Elders and they are on board to distribute 1,000 copies to our local high school.  Now all we need to do is get a meeting together with all the volunteers.  Maybe even get a gorilla too.  Lol

Evolution vs God School Giveaway

 

Believe what you want about evolution, but if you truly believe Ray Comfort has accomplished something of that magnitude in a short video, well......

 

Perhaps they were actually able to provide proof and Ray cut that out.  Lol

One Frustrated Woman

[alphaparticle]

thanks for sharing this candice and I find it incredibly refreshing that not only you are a part of the site, but you are a moderator as well. This should help demonstrate to people that there are diversity of opinions about this matter, even on a relatively conservative type Christian forum.

 

What I dislike about Comfort's portrayal, aside from being inaccurate, is that it puts a false dichotomy out there, evolution *or* God. I don't see it that way and it's sad that he'd put people in that rhetorical position to choose between what seems to them to be the best supported scientific theory and belief in God as ultimate Creator. In that sense, I think he positively harms the faith and the spreading of the gospel.