Secular scientists seek ban on Grand Canyon book

Duane Gish makes no bones about his belief in creationism. In fact, he believes his research in fossils is, well, dying proof that the Genesis account is true.

Gish, whose scientific work with Institute for Creation Research, Santee, Calif., has spanned more than three decades, is one of several noted scientists whose research is included in “Grand Canyon: A Different View,” a new book by longtime Colorado River tour guide Tom Vail.

In his contribution to the coffee table book, Gish’s essay examines the lack of fossil evidence of complex invertebrate in the Pre-Cambrian era. Gish said despite the sudden presence of billions and billions of the complex fossils—such as clams, snails and jellyfish—in subsequent eras, there is no evidence of any transient forms that would suggest an earlier ancestor.

“They have to have evolved from a common ancestor,” he said.

The lack of these transient forms, he said, is significant.

“That alone destroys the theory of evolution,” the scientist said.

In agreeing to contribute to the book, published by ICR, the creation scientists were hoping to offer the public a serious challenge to the longstanding thought that earth and humans are the product of evolution.

The dissemination of that information, however, is threatened after a group of evolution scientists are asking that the Vail book be removed from the natural science section of all National Park Service bookstores operating at the Grand Canyon. In December, the presidents of seven science organizations signed a letter to the park’s superintendent asking that the book be pulled because of its religious content. The National Parks Service is reviewing the book and at least one media outlet has reported that officials have determined the book will be banned because its theories fall outside of accepted science. Another option being discussed is moving the book to the store’s inspirational section.

Polar opinions
Secular scientists—who believe the Grand Canyon was carved over millions of years by slow erosion caused by the Colorado River—take umbrage with creationists, who believe it was created by a lot of water over a short period of time. The latter theory matches the Old Testament account of Noah’s ark, something secularists believe is contrary to science.

“The Grand Canyon was formed millions of years ago,” William Ausich, president of the Paleontological Society told Religion News Service. “It is the job of the national Park Service to present the best scientific information possible to the public, and the book is complete pseudoscience.”

Critics also said the presence of the book would lead the public to believe the government was endorsing religion.

The challenge from the secular science community does not surprise Gish.

“This is very, very typical of evolutionists,” he said. “This is what we would expect.”

Rapid formation
After the great flood, creationists believe large bodies of lakes were left behind. The canyon was carved they said, after water breached their earthen dams and rushed through Northern Arizona.

According to Gish and Ken Ham, president of Answers in Genesis, a creation-based organization in Kentucky, many secular geologists also believe in the short-exposure theory.

“The effort to ban the book is remarkable,” Ham said in a news release. “Although Tom’s beautifully illustrated book is low key, it still has managed to shake up the evolutionary community and its strongly held beliefs about the Grand Canyon and its supposed history for millions of years. I hope this controversy will lead many more people, including Grand Canyon visitors, to read its alternative, scientific viewpoint.”

Gish said he believes the publicity surrounding the controversy will foster public interest and discussion on the creation view.

“It will certainly draw attention to the fact that there are creationists who have their own view,” said Gish, whose training also includes scientific research at Cornell Medical College, University of California, Berkley and the Upjohn Company.

“What are they afraid of? Why don’t they let the people read it and make their own decisions,” the ICR scientist said.

Nudging the establishment
Gish said the furor over the book follows a consistent pattern of trying to silence alternative thought.

“They control our educational systems, control our science organizations, control our mass media, almost every medium available,” the scientist said. “They see it as an intrusion.

“If they do succeed in doing that, there will be an appeal. I think he’ll (Vail) win. It’s discriminatory and it is a violation of freedom of speech. It’s putting their humanistic worldview as the only possibility that is permitted.”

The Alliance Defense fund, a not-for-profit public interest law and educational organization, has sent a letter to Secretary of the Interior Gale Norton, warning that removal of the book would violate Vail’s constitutional rights.

“The NPS has upheld the constitutional rights of Mr. Vail by keeping the book in place among competing viewpoints,” wrote Dale M. Schowengerdt, litigation staff attorney for Alliance, in the Jan. 9 letter. “We encourage NPS to maintain this policy and resist pressure from groups urging censorship. NPS is certainly on solid ground by continuing to offer the book under the neutral selection policy is used in this instance.”

Regardless the outcome, Gish said he’s confident that the biblically supported view will receive increased exposure as creation scientists travel the country participating in lectures and debates.

“We have these creationist organizations which are conducting seminars and debates,” he said. “We are getting the message out, which before was not getting out. We are reaching people now that we weren’t reaching before.”

Among them are high school and college students, many of whom Gish said are eager to hear the evidence.

“Most students are glad to know there is evidence to show there is a destiny for them beyond a pile of dust,” he said. “We’re challenging the dogma. That’s what we have to do.”

Published by Keener Communications Group, February 2004

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