Adults Say The Oddest Things

Art Linkletter was a radio and TV host for many years. On one radio program, and later on his TV show House Party, he would interview children and then air the unedited candid responses. Those interviews later became the basis of a TV program hosted by Bill Cosby called, "Kids Say The D* Things".

(I use D* in place of the title because I am uncomfortable with the word. It feels like a curse word in disguise, so I will avoid it in this post).

For those of you who did not live through the 50s and 60s, and also missed the 1998-2000 highlights version of the show, here is a snippet:





As it turns out, adults say the most odd things as well.These days it seems that many of these amazing remarks are aimed directly at Christians, and it seems as though they originate from the same people who proclaim the need for tolerance and keeping an open mind.

I found two amazing examples recently that I thought I would share.

The first example is compliments of the Fearless Witness blog.

In a recent post, Fearless Witness summarizes a running dispute between Ray Comfort and the self-proclaimed atheists who follow his blog (appropriately titled, Atheist Central). For a few years Ray has been saying that atheists believe "nothing created everything," to which many of the atheists who follow his blog forcefully react that he is making this belief up, taking comments out of context, or is once-again demonstrating his complete lack of knowledge for the finer things of science.

Then, along comes world-famous physicist Stephen Hawking to proclaim,

"Because there is a law such as gravity, the universe can and will create itself from nothing." He continues, "Spontaneous creation is the reason there is something rather than nothing, why the universe exists, why we exist."

In summary, 'nothing created everything.'

The responses from those who post at Atheist Central are fine examples of adults saying the oddest things. Suddenly,

"If he [Hawking] said that "nothing created everything," then there is science behind the statement. I haven't done the research, nor have I read it. However, I am certain that you [Comfort] know nothing about the science in question, and your opinion on Hawkins' work is worthless."

In other words, if a Christian says that atheists believe nothing created everything, they are simpletons. If a scientist says it, then it is a revelation that is both profound and unchallengable. In my minds-eye, I can see Art Linkletter's eyebrows go up as an amazed look appears on his face as if to say, 'Oh, those crazy adults!'

Example number two is from the blog by Al Mohler, president of the Southern Baptist Seminary.

Near the end of his recent post on Francis Collins and the sanctity of human life (which is well worth a full read), Dr. Mohler points out that Christians are frequently ridiculed as being backward, anti-scientific, or stuck in the era of the pre-civilized; even when they agree with the beliefs of non-Christians. In this particular case, Francis Collins is ridiculed by others in his field of specialty simply because he is a self-proclaimed Christian.

Dr. Mohler summarizes,

In other words, when we are told that we have to accept and embrace the theory of evolution in order to escape being considered intellectually backward, remember the opposition to Francis Collins. It just doesn’t work. When Collins’ elevation to the NIH post was announced, evolutionary scientist P. Z. Myers lamented, “I don’t want American science to be represented by a clown.”

This is the predicament of those who argue that evangelicals must accept some form of theistic evolution — the guardians of evolution still consider them clowns.

Yet another Catch-22 directed toward Christians: if you don't believe what we believe, you're uneducated; if you agree with us but you also believe in the Savior you may have some education but you're considered a buffoon anyway.

(I will leave a discussion of theological problems espoused by Francis Collins to others. Read Dr. Mohler's blog for some insight into this topic.)







As Christians we need to understand that fallen mankind is blind to the truth. When they attack us, it is a symptom of rebellion. The best response is to lovingly share the gospel and pray for opened eyes.

We must remember:

The fool has said in his heart, "There is no God," - Psalm 53:1

...and that we were once just as they are.

So, the lesson I take from these examples is to not fall prey to the world's enticement. Do not think that if only we agree with them, accept their view of the world... then we can get along. It does not work.

Non believers do not object to your view of science, they object to Christ and His unique offer of salvation through repentance and faith, and that can make them say the oddest things.