Posted on 03/04/2014 6:53:38 PM PST by SeekAndFind
Ken Ham of the Creation Museum has taken to Facebook to address criticism over Answers in Genesis' multimillion dollar project to build a life-sized replica of Noah's ark, explaining why the money isn't going to feed hungry people instead.
"I haven't yet seen any articles/blogs/posts directed at Paramount about the $300 million dollars (over 4 times more than the Ark project), they spent on a fictional movie only for entertainment – why aren't they being told by the same people they should be spending this money on feeding the hungry," Ham wrote in a post on Monday, referring to the upcoming Bible-inspired movie "Noah," which is being distributed by Paramount Pictures.
The Creation Museum and AiG CEO and president has criticized the upcoming Darren Aronofsky film for portraying an unbiblical account of Noah. Sources like Slash Film have said that the movie's budget is closer to $150 million.
Ham continued in his response to critics, "In fact, what about all the people who spend millions of dollars at the movie theaters to see the movies that cost hundreds of millions of dollars a year," Ham continued. "Of course, we could go on – what about the hundreds of millions of dollars Universities like Harvard have in their accounts – in fact the list is almost endless."
Answers in Genesis has been raising funds to build a giant life-sized replica of Noah's ark for several years now. Last week, it announced that $73 million has been raised for the first phase of the project.
"Several million dollars in donations and Ark boarding passes (memberships) had been raised prior to the bond offering, and most of that amount has already been used to pay for the Ark's land, secure expensive permits and licenses, clear the property, draw architectural plans, design the exhibits, etc.," the creationist group said in a statement. It is seeking to raise an additional $15 million in order to "provide additional attractions, like the special high-tech and interactive exhibits that guests have come to appreciate at our museum."
Ham and AiG have responded in the past to feedback they have received as to why they are engaging in such an expensive project rather than using the money to help poor people. In 2011, AiG posted a blog post titled "Why Build an Ark Instead of Giving the Money to the Poor?"
In the article, AiG explained that although taking care of the poor is identified as an important ministry for Christians, "Christ also made it clear that we are to make disciples of all nations."
"Frankly, we can't think of a more effective way to share the gospel with many millions of people today than by using an Ark," AiG wrote. "The Ark of Noah is a picture of salvation, which allows us to share with future visitors that Christ is our modern-day Ark of salvation. People who might not ever attend a church service will be powerfully presented with the gospel message at the Ark, where they will learn about Christ."
While Ham did not address any specific commentary against the Ark project, he noted on Monday that the negative feedback he has received has been in the form of emails, posts, comments, and blogs both from secularists and other Christians.
"So what does it all mean? Most of these people who make such accusations do so because AiG is a Christian organization, and because they know we will reach millions with the truth of God's Word. Yes – their intolerance of Christianity is showing clearly," Ham wrote. "They just can't stand a Christian group being so prominent in spreading the truth of God's Word and the salvation message."
The construction of the project is expected to begin in May.
I believe the accuser was none other than Judas himself...
“that perfume could have been sold and the money given to the poor (or found its way into my pocket)”
Yes, I suppose they don’t have bigger issues in their lives. They used to call them busibodies.
Me, I don’t worry at all what other people do with their money — as long as they didn’t use my money for something other than intended.
But no matter what, there will always be a critic standing on the sidelines, ready to pounce. It seems to be driven by maybe greed, or jealousy, or a controlling and critical personality. Maybe with a bit of self-righteousness mixed in — because they always know how it should have been handled.
Sorry, I don’t have to prove that AiG “ignored the poor.”
It’s a matter of appearances. Surely you understand that?
Sorry, they are not just another “corporation.”
They hang a lot of what they do on promoting Christianity. That brings with it a set of responsibilities that secular corporations do not have. They are indeed due more criticism if they cannot or will not do appropriate levels of funding for a project such as this.
Like I said upthread, a project in the tens of millions of dollars seems to me to be wasteful.
No worries.
sure, you are adopting the liberal philosophy that the seriousness of the charges trumps the lack of evidence. i totally get where you’re coming from.
Nonsense. Nothing at all to do with “self-righteousness.”
Do I really need to trot out the verse for you about not being a stumbling block to others?
Believe it if you want, little buddy.
We’re done.
shouldn’t be building christian palaces....
what about the vatican? all the shrines to various folks? all the money that’s made off the visitors to these places in the gift shops?
if we will begin now condemning should we not just pick on one ministy group? should we not begin to criticize all who are building these palaces and shrines?
is every “poor” person deserving of help just because they are poor? is the widow who is poor the same to you as the guy who’s poor because he won’t work?
how are you defining poor? where is your dollar cutoff number? you are obviously concerned about money so you must have a value that defines who “the poor” is.
are we including the poor in spirit here too? ones that may have their faith strengthened going through such an exhibit? ones that may go through this and come to a saving faith in Christ?
I think in this case, though, that the critics are really worried about the evangelical potential of a real size Ark. This thing is going to be visible from the junction of two major interstate highways.
Trot out whatever verse you would like.
The basis of the criticism is certainly self righteousness, assuming that the money was raised specifically for the ark project.
It is a case of “Why didn’t you spend the money on what *I* want you to?”
I’m sure that’s true. I spoke generally and shouldn’t have.
I’ll say this, as for Christians who are critical about these things, I believe many of them speak from the hurt they experienced as children who did without necessities, specifically, being hungry.
They may never get over that childhood hurt, and if some of the critics are coming at it from this perspective, I pray they’ll be healed of this hurt and come to see the ministry angle of such projects.
How much do you think it can be built for?
My criticism *does* apply to all of them. This thread and article just happens to be facilitating the discussion.
Look,
A couple of things. I don't live in the best neighborhood. There is rampant drug use, homelessness, alcoholism, prostitution, and sloth. Lots of Section 8 too.
A lot of the people that are homeless choose to be that way. They are sucking off the system because they can. I do not give to those people. I have been burned before, more than once.
I give to orgs like the Salvation Army and Sunday Breakfast Mission, and Mercury One. I write in the memo section on the check "for foodstuffs only." That way, the receiver of the money knows what it is intended for.
how are you defining poor? where is your dollar cutoff number? you are obviously concerned about money so you must have a value that defines who “the poor” is.
It's not our place to define who is "poor." We are to be responsible stewards of God's money. That's it.
are we including the poor in spirit here too? ones that may have their faith strengthened going through such an exhibit? ones that may go through this and come to a saving faith in Christ?
I understand God giving people trials to strengthen their faith - believe me. I also understand that somewhere there is a verse that basically states that we may entertain angels unawares so be careful how one conducts himself. And there is another - I think it was Jesus - who said (paraphrasing) you fed and clothed the downtrodden, it was just like feeding and clothing Me.
These last couple of verses is my motivation. 'Pod
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