Creationist Ken Ham was rather unhappy with the Tri-State Freethinkers distributing copies of author Hemant Mehta’s book The Young Atheist’s Survival Guide on the last day of classes in the Boone County school system in Kentucky. According to Mehta, his book is not anti-Christian and it simply offers some guidance to young atheists but Ham has been trying to portray otherwise by quoting unrelated excerpts from the author’s blog that criticize various issues related to religion.
Ham criticized Mehta for attacking Answers in Genesis and ranted about the remarks Mehta made about Ham’s nonsensical theories.
“Creating a child-friendly version of Noah’s Ark with the intention of convincing kids the story is true is detestable. Instead of opening kids’ minds with science, Ark Encounter is attempting to turn them against evidence in favor of faith. It seems like Ken Ham just wants to take children’s minds, minds that are malleable and easily persuaded, and warp them before they’re old enough to know better. He’s like a Christian version of Joe Camel,” quoted Ham from Mehta’s critique.
In an attempt to justify his stand against the distribution of Mehta’s book, Ham said, “His book the students will receive (if they want one) is made in a supposed effort to make atheists out to be “friendly” people, who are just wanting what they consider to be the “best” for the culture. However, if after reading this book from a “friendly” atheist, students go to atheist blogs and websites such as the author’s, they will often read blasphemous statements and ad hominem attacks that are rife through atheist writings.”
After reading Ham’s statement, Mehta stood by what he had earlier said about the creationist, highlighting the difference between friendly people and agreeable people. Like Mehta, many other non-believers have gone on record to suggest Ham’s beliefs are bad for society, harmful to children and unscientific.
On his blog, Mehta explained that atheists are only taking advantage of the opportunity that the Gideons introduced by distributing copies of the Bible in public schools. In addition, he said, if Ham does not appreciate this new development, all he needs to do is persuade the Gideons to go away. Non-believers believe that creationists like Ham will have to support the distribution of atheist books in public schools if they want students to receive the Bible as well.
Ham also said, “Certainly there is freedom of religion in this country, so atheists are free to hand out their religious books to students. However, parents and students need to be warned that the ultimate motive of these secularists is to eliminate Christianity from people’s thinking. Their message is a negative one — and it’s ultimately one of hopelessness and purposelessness.”
Mehta responded to that comment by saying not everyone thinks like Ham and defending the concept of atheism instead.
“The atheist message isn’t negative at all. It’s a beautiful thing to cast aside your faith because you found beauty in reality. It’s powerful to learn that we’re alive today through the process of evolution over billions of years and that we have overcome incredible, mind-boggling odds to make it to this point. It’s motivating that, since we won’t be around forever, we have to make the most of the life we have. It’s inspiring to me that I get to create my own purpose in life… Only someone who has no desire to learn what it means to be an atheist would make those kinds of accusations,” he wrapped up beautifully.
