Creationist Ken Ham: ‘Atheist TV’ Is Evidence Of Intolerance To Christians
Creationist Ken Ham, the founder of Answers in Genesis, is not very pleased with the premiere of Atheist TV this week, the world’s first atheism-based television network. On his blog, Ham writes, “Atheists are increasingly becoming more active and intentional in preaching their religion of godlessness. I’ve always found it fascinating how they think their purpose is to impose their message that there is no purpose onto people!”
Atheists feel the same way about evangelicals. Spot the difference (there is none):
“It is incredible that atheists spend so much time, effort, and money arguing against Someone that they don’t even believe exists!,” he writes. “Where are all their books, websites, and magazines that argue against the mythical Easter Bunny? This is because they do know God exists but they are suppressing the truth in unrighteousness.”
Atheist TV offers its content free-of-charge, delivering it through Roku, a streaming video service that brings Internet programming to customers’ TV sets, according to The Blaze.
Ham claims the initiative is evidence of “the growing intolerance towards Christianity in particular — and other religions.”
Apparently, only one opinion should be tolerated.
Won’t someone think of the children?
He adds, “Sadly, this new TV channel is not just targeting adults with a hopeless message of godlessness, but they are also trying to indoctrinate children into an atheistic worldview.”
The indoctrination of children by evangelicals is probably what Ham meant to point to.
“Laws of logic shouldn’t exist in a completely random materialistic universe that the atheists believe in — and yet they do!,” he added. I have no idea what that means in reference to the topic but I’m sure it’s totes important. I’m sure it could be applied to his theory that the world is only 7,000 years-old and humans coexisted with Dinosaurs, though.
H/T: LL’s own RJ Carter with thanks.
Ron Jackson August 2nd, 2014 at 7:06 pm
These right wing bible thumping pimps are starting to see their grip on the masses is slipping,and there is nothing they can do about it.
tiredoftea August 2nd, 2014 at 8:28 pm
The masses money, it’s the money.
donschneider August 4th, 2014 at 10:43 am
Religious “holdings” (Real Property) and religiously generated income should be taxed as “Personal incomes and Personal Real estate property immediately ! Then watch the televangelists and bible thumpers head to the exits and the unemployment lines.
Obewon August 2nd, 2014 at 7:08 pm
Functional illiteracy are Ham’s morally and fiscally bankrupt hallmarks. Good luck denying all of the religious GOP TV propaganda airing 24/7 since last century.
The top three religious broadcasters — Christian Broadcast Network, Trinity Broadcasting Network and Daystar Television “Church” — are worth more than a quarter of a billion dollars combined, according to available records but donate a meager 5% of income primarily to friends and family!
“Churches have avoided virtually any scrutiny whatsoever from the federal government’s tax authority.”-Re nepotist scam artists Marcus and Joni Lamb, founders of Daystar, also host their own show, as seen in this screenshot from their network. With $233 million in assets, Daystar is the largest religious television network in America that also calls itself a tax exempt church. -Expenses that included $572,154 in sponsorship and expenses for a Christian NASCAR driver named Blake Koch6; a $2.3 million loan to the Rev. Frank Harber, Lamb’s former special assistant and golfing buddy, to start a church that defaulted on the loan! http://www.npr.org/2014/04/01/282496855/can-a-television-network-be-a-church-the-irs-says-yes
Dwendt44 August 3rd, 2014 at 12:51 am
The tax dodge is worth over $70 Billion loss in taxes federally, and those are conservative figures.
At the local level, property taxes and special favors by utilities and public services is likely worth nearly as much.
fantagor August 2nd, 2014 at 7:11 pm
The word “godless” amuses me. It’s supposed to convey shame upon the person so labeled, but actually it’s a compliment of the highest order as it denotes a rational mind vs. one perverted by fairy tales. Moreover, Ham is just as godless as every atheist, meaning there aren’t any, regardless of how much he pretends there are. Imaginary friends are normal for kids. At his age, it’s grounds for committal.
Obewon August 2nd, 2014 at 7:16 pm
Many Atheists are Diest like most of our U.S. founders were, believing in a universal collective consciousnes, and not Megyn Kelly’s GOP TV white guy in the sky. http://freethought.mbdojo.com/foundingfathers.html
mea_mark August 2nd, 2014 at 7:56 pm
Nice link.
tiredoftea August 2nd, 2014 at 8:31 pm
Atheists and Deists are two different things. Shinto is Deist, agnostic is possibly Deist.
mea_mark August 2nd, 2014 at 8:37 pm
He may be referring to self-proclaimed Atheist.
tiredoftea August 2nd, 2014 at 8:53 pm
I have no idea what that means. The Founders were highly influenced by the Enlightenment, which did ascribe a Deity. Atheists have no need for a supernatural entity to guide our affairs or set the world in motion. We are not lapsed Deists.
Obewon August 2nd, 2014 at 10:05 pm
Self-discovery leads to “Enlightenment” while many say Buddhists, etc are Atheists. Polytheist maybe more accurate in that ‘we are all one’-Buddha 2,400 years ago on quantum entanglement as very well proven today via J.S. Bell’s Theorem. http://physics.about.com/od/quantuminterpretations/f/bellstheorem.htm
tiredoftea August 2nd, 2014 at 11:10 pm
OK, so that is pretty much existential word salad.
mea_mark August 3rd, 2014 at 9:56 am
I really like that link on the three Kayas.
arc99 August 2nd, 2014 at 8:08 pm
another example of the hubris one often finds on the political right where anyone who does not buy into their notion that their ideas are immutable laws of physics is taken as an insult or even a threat
you see it even here in this forum. we have all seen the drive-by posters complaining about the lack of objectivity at this site. why they expect objectivity at a site that is proudly, explicitly and unapologetically liberal is beyond me. how dare Alan not publish pro gun stories! of course it is never mentioned, that RKBA sites never publish pro gun control stories.
welcome to America Mr. Ham. when and if Atheist TV advocates curtailing or suspending your Constitutional religious freedoms, then you might have a point. otherwise, Atheist TV is no different than HinduTV or BuddhistTV. Just another way of looking at the cosmos which happens to differ from your way.
Dwendt44 August 2nd, 2014 at 9:02 pm
At least they, Atheist TV, is reality based, not a fictional fairy tale, like Ham’s Creationist scam.
Tommy6860 August 2nd, 2014 at 8:08 pm
“but they are also trying to indoctrinate children into an atheistic worldview.”
People are born atheist, they are also born without hate, racism. Everything else is taught, that includes indoctrination. I’m trying to figure into what branch of atheism he think people are being indoctrianted.
tiredoftea August 2nd, 2014 at 8:32 pm
It’s his fear of losing wallets to another organization.
anthonyadams August 3rd, 2014 at 4:33 pm
He says that as he promotes indoctrinating children into a religious worldview of fear, judgment, bigotry and hate toward others….especially others who are not a clone of them.
arc99 August 2nd, 2014 at 8:15 pm
I wonder if he would pitch a fit if there was a SatanTV. At least they would be admitting that the God of Abraham exists. There is already an excellent theme song which might be available for the right price.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l482T0yNkeo
AC/DC – Highway To Hell
William August 2nd, 2014 at 8:26 pm
Well?
What about the things that offend atheists?
fancypants August 2nd, 2014 at 8:28 pm
anything the gop supports on a daily basis ( mostly religion )
Carla Akins August 2nd, 2014 at 8:30 pm
Projection much? Atheism is no threat to Ham’s belief. If you replace Atheist with Christian, it would be dead on.
NW10 August 2nd, 2014 at 8:47 pm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fxdt_f0hwUg
Jeanne Rhodes-Moen August 2nd, 2014 at 8:58 pm
and how many ‘Christian’/evangelical tv stations are there out there? and how many regular stations carry televangelists Sunday morning? If they are so freaking threatened by a single, internet TV station for atheists, then they must not be very confident in their own faith!
Dwendt44 August 2nd, 2014 at 9:01 pm
There are three major religious networks, and a couple dozen stations and many more programs on most satellite and many cable systems.
Jeanne Rhodes-Moen August 2nd, 2014 at 9:18 pm
I know there are several on our cable system…. plus you have people still carrying things like 700 Club even though the guy is more senile than Reagan ever was!
Dwendt44 August 3rd, 2014 at 12:44 am
The ABC Family channel was originally the CBN, Christian Broadcast Network. Totally Christian programing 24/7. Pat Robertson sold it for many millions and assurances that he’s still get his three/four times a day hour for his propaganda as well as a yearly ‘telethon’ for fund raising/profit making.
Anomaly 100 August 2nd, 2014 at 9:28 pm
I recently moved to Virginia. There are sooo many evangelical shows/stations here.
fancypants August 2nd, 2014 at 9:45 pm
bible thumper capitol of the nation
Congrats !
Anomaly 100 August 2nd, 2014 at 9:47 pm
Thanks! Oh wait…
fancypants August 2nd, 2014 at 10:05 pm
Did you say thanks ?
http://youtu.be/bX84vNqbOnc
Judgeforyourself37 August 4th, 2014 at 10:30 am
When I lived in NJ my husband and I had some great friends with whom we would play pinochle nearly every Saturday night. We had great times and a lot of needed laughs. They were kind, generous people who were very good to us, a couple with two kids and who had very little. They attended our church and she had a beautiful voice and sang in the choir, but we never discussed religion.
They moved back to their home state of VA, my husband obtained a better job in a distant state, and I returned to my former profession, nursing. The gentleman remained being an infrequent church goer, whereas, she went 180 out from where she seemed when we knew them in NJ, and is a full fledged Evangelical, who speaks in “religion.” A good person, still kind and generous to those in need. but oh, my just don’t venture into speaking with her regarding religion. She feels that everything that happens, good or bad, is “God’s will.” st
Most right wing Christians are really good people, at heart, but they do seem to be threatened by a more progressive outlook, such as a former Episcopal bishop, named Spong. Spong is very accepting of anyone who is kind to others, even though they may not espouse Christianity. He is adamant that anyone who is LGBT was born as being LBGT and is certainly no sinner. Sadly, this is against the teachings of right wing Christians.
Anomaly 100 August 4th, 2014 at 11:22 am
I’m a Christian but of the leftist variety. However, I come from a family packed with evangelicals. They’re all good people but I just don’t share their spiritual or political beliefs.
burqa August 8th, 2014 at 11:36 pm
I am too, Christian, liberal, in Va. with some evangelicals in my family and community. With family and friends, we have understandings about topics that are off limits and everyone gets along fine.
There is nothing wrong with associating with people who have different spiritual or political beliefs. Alan is very good on this topic when some right-winger calls in and says he won’t associate with libruls.
Years ago I got involved with some local political issues and got some good work done with a honcho in the GOP. While our opinions on several national issues differed, we found a lot of common ground on local issues and one of his strongest allies was a Democratic Party chairman.
One thing I like is when people can work across the aisle on issues of common interest. I think we would be better off if both sides focused more on trying to find agreement.
One of my fave local issues when we had such a thing was when we established the Thurman Brisben Homeless Shelter. There was a lot of opposition, that fortunately did not prevail. Those who worked to get it done spanned the political spectrum and there were ministers of different faiths working together as well as white and blue collar workers and people of different races all working together. It was a beautiful thing to see what people can do when motivated to do good.
Anomaly 100 August 9th, 2014 at 8:33 am
Soo many people warned me about moving to Virginia, but coming from an all Conservative family, I didn’t really let it bother me. I moved here a couple of months ago and I must say the people are the most honest, caring people I’ve ever met. One of my closest friends here is Republican and her husband is a preacher. They’re extraordinary people, always helping others and expecting nothing in return. We do have common ground on several issues politically: gun safety is one of them. They’re not into the gun thing at all. I don’t mind guns, but Open Carry is obnoxious.
The electrician who worked on my house when I first got here had no idea that I was an evil librul. He kept talking about liberals as if they were the anti-christ. Then he asked me what I do. “I’m a liberal blogger.”
We both started laughing.
burqa August 8th, 2014 at 11:41 pm
I remember Spong, is he still alive?
The Berrigans used to ruffle some feathers back in the day…..
Dwendt44 August 2nd, 2014 at 8:59 pm
Much like ‘Creationism’, Ham is wrong about most everything else too.
Atheism is not a religion, it’s the absence of religion. And you don’t need a god to have a purpose in life.
What purpose does a christian have? To be a slave to a religion that doesn’t even follow their own holy book/
burqa August 8th, 2014 at 11:23 pm
Wrong about what Christians get from their faith.
But it’s fun following a crowd of bigots, isn’t it?
M D Reese August 2nd, 2014 at 9:13 pm
Atheists and non-believers are a growing segment of of our society. If one lousy TV station by and for atheists is a threat to your faith, then that’s YOUR problem, not ours. I don’t know about the rest of you, but my cable package has at least 10 openly christian channels and another 21 or so that rerun sappy “family” programs from the way-back machine as well as religious services all weekend. On balance, there are ZERO channels for atheists.
anthonyadams August 3rd, 2014 at 4:28 pm
Their religious conviction are not very strong if they feel so threated by others who do not embrace their fold.
M D Reese August 5th, 2014 at 11:53 am
Their convictions are based on lies and fantasies–I just don’t feel like coddling their fee-fees anymore.
P. A. nichols August 3rd, 2014 at 9:28 pm
I was also thinking about decades of numerous “Christian” networks and how fearful they must be of rationality that 1 measly atheist network makes them afraid. Some do believe ignorance is bliss…
M D Reese August 5th, 2014 at 11:55 am
They count on ignorance to stay in business. That’s partly what’s behind the home-school and charter school push.
P. A. nichols August 6th, 2014 at 12:52 pm
Most definitely. And even after losing every court battle on inserting creationism into public schools, home & charters are next line of attack. Bad enough they dumb down textbooks countrywide by targeting Texas’ big market.
M D Reese August 7th, 2014 at 9:54 pm
They want to use public money to do it, too.
MIAtheistGal August 3rd, 2014 at 8:24 am
Awww, someone was feeling lonely, so he had to try to make himself relevant again. What a bunch of nonsense that came out of his mouth!
anthonyadams August 3rd, 2014 at 4:27 pm
Atheists “imposing their message” on others? So he thins not that HE is doing just that? The more these radical “Christians” claim there is a war against them, the more people get turned off and oppose them. I used to be a Christian until so many Christians and their churches stopped following the teachings of Jesus. I believe in God….but not in religion.
JamesMMartin August 3rd, 2014 at 10:36 pm
Oh, boy, have we been saying this for years about the religionists, I must suppose it is turn about, fair play. Are Christians supposed to carry grudges? I don’t think Jesus would approve of this guy.
donschneider August 4th, 2014 at 10:30 am
We’ve had to tolerate flipping through myriad christian evangelical tv listings for years. We’ve had to explain to our young children growing up why these ranting preachers proclaim hatred of anyone who disagrees with them. Well now it is our good christian neighbors turn ! Of course they cannot just flip past such a single TV offering, they find it necessary, as always, to attempt to silence dissenters to their hateful cults. We are here to stay and no amount of ranting and raving by mealy mouthed hate mongers will scare us away !
burqa August 8th, 2014 at 11:18 pm
I wish them well with their venture. They have freedom of speech and it seems to be an underserved market.
Not having watched the channel, I have no opinion on the content. One hopes it is positive and uplifting and not just a bunch of cranks sitting around being anti-faith bigots, spreading the sort of false stereotypes we see in forums such as this. Ham is correct about the intolerance but some seem to think if the Right is going to harbor bigots, then the Left should harbor bigots of their own.
This is a major reason bigotry persists as it does.
The racists and Muslim-haters know they can find safe haven on the Right and the Christian-haters and Jew-haters know their form of bigotry will receive acceptance from many on the Left.
Meanwhile, both sides hurl accusations of hypocrisy at the other when one side points out the bigots on the other side.
We would be a lot better off if both sides decided to unload their bigots so the other side has a monopoly on bigotry. With criticism everywhere they go, I think a lot of bigots would figure out that hatred of this sort is just plain wrong, even if the crowd applauds.
Paul Peterson September 6th, 2014 at 9:19 pm
Why is that when non-Christians finally decide to stop putting up with the religion hoax being pushed down their throats that christians think it is intolerant? But the Christian pushing their dogma on everyone else is just “spreading the gospel” so therefore it’s a good thing. Can someone say “Double Standard”?