Former teen idol Kirk Cameron has it out for Charles Darwin, and is making no apologies for his controversial (and mocked, see below) plan to distribute thousands of altered copies of 'The Origin of Species' to college students.
The 'Growing Pains' alum released a video last week announcing that on Nov. 19, he and other Creationist activists will distribute a special 'Species' with a 50-page intro that slams evolution and paints Darwin as both racist and misogynistic and explicitly highlights "Adolph Hitler's undeniable connection to the theory." Nov. 21 is the 150th anniversary of the book's original publication.
Cameron tells PEOPLE he is "proud to bring this to people's attention" and hopes his plan will curb the rise of Atheism among college kids. Watch the actor's video, left, and a critics' reaction to it, after the jump.
"Atheism has been on the rise for years now, and the Bible of the atheists is 'The Origin of Species'," Cameron says. "We have a situation in our country where young people are entering college with a belief in God and exiting with that faith being stripped and shredded. What we want to do is have student make an informed, educated decision before they chuck their faith."
He backs his beliefs by citing a study that found that in the nation's top schools, a clear majority of Psychology and Biology professors describe themselves as Atheist or Agnostic.
"No wonder Atheism has doubled in the last 20 years among 19-25 year olds," he explains in the video. "An entire generation is being brainwashed by Atheistic Evolution!"
HOLLYWOOD - SEPTEMBER 25: Actor Kirk Cameron attends the premiere of Samuel Goldwyn Films' "Fireproof" at the Fire Museum on September 25, 2008 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Stephen Shugerman/Getty Images for Samuel Goldwyn Films) *** Local Caption *** Kirk Cameron
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HOLLYWOOD - SEPTEMBER 25: (L-R) Executive Producer Michael Catt, executive producer Jim McBride, President of Samuel Goldwyn Films Meyer Gottlieb, Provident's Ben Howard, actor Kirk Cameron, Sony's Bob Rubin, Sony's Lexi Wong, and filmmaker Alex Kendrick attend the premiere of Samuel Goldwyn Films' "Fireproof" at the Fire Museum on September 25, 2008 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Stephen Shugerman/Getty Images for Samuel Goldwyn Films) *** Local Caption *** Kirk Cameron;Alex Kendrick;Ben Howard;Lexi Wong
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HOLLYWOOD - SEPTEMBER 25: Actor Kirk Cameron attends the premiere of Samuel Goldwyn Films' "Fireproof" at the Fire Museum on September 25, 2008 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Stephen Shugerman/Getty Images for Samuel Goldwyn Films) *** Local Caption *** Kirk Cameron
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HOLLYWOOD - SEPTEMBER 25: Actor Kirk Cameron attends the premiere of Samuel Goldwyn Films' "Fireproof" at the Fire Museum on September 25, 2008 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Stephen Shugerman/Getty Images for Samuel Goldwyn Films) *** Local Caption *** Kirk Cameron
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HOLLYWOOD - SEPTEMBER 25: Actor Kirk Cameron autographs the movie's poster at the premiere of Samuel Goldwyn Films' "Fireproof" at the Fire Museum on September 25, 2008 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Stephen Shugerman/Getty Images for Samuel Goldwyn Films) *** Local Caption *** Kirk Cameron
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HOLLYWOOD - SEPTEMBER 25: Actor Kirk Cameron autographs the movie's poster at the premiere of Samuel Goldwyn Films' "Fireproof" at the Fire Museum on September 25, 2008 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Stephen Shugerman/Getty Images for Samuel Goldwyn Films) *** Local Caption *** Kirk Cameron
Getty Images
HOLLYWOOD - SEPTEMBER 25: Actor Kirk Cameron attends the premiere of Samuel Goldwyn Films' "Fireproof" at the Fire Museum on September 25, 2008 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Stephen Shugerman/Getty Images for Samuel Goldwyn Films) *** Local Caption *** Kirk Cameron
Getty Images
HOLLYWOOD - SEPTEMBER 25: Actor Kirk Cameron attends the premiere of Samuel Goldwyn Films' "Fireproof" at the Fire Museum on September 25, 2008 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Stephen Shugerman/Getty Images for Samuel Goldwyn Films) *** Local Caption *** Kirk Cameron
Getty Images
HOLLYWOOD - SEPTEMBER 25: President of Samuel Goldwyn Films Meyer Gottlieb (L) and actor Kirk Cameron attend the premiere of Samuel Goldwyn Films' "Fireproof" at the Fire Museum on September 25, 2008 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Stephen Shugermam/Getty Images for Samuel Goldwyn Films) *** Local Caption *** Meyer Gottlieb;Kirk Cameron
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HOLLYWOOD - SEPTEMBER 25: (L-R) Provident's Iyan Bruce, Provident's Michael Now, Sony's Steve Orkin, Sony's Bob Rubin, actor Kirk Cameron, Sony's Bob Rubin, Sony's Lexi Wong, Sony's Marc Rashba and Lisa Jean attend the premiere of Samuel Goldwyn Films' "Fireproof" at the Fire Museum on September 25, 2008 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Stephen Shugermam/Getty Images for Samuel Goldwyn Films) *** Local Caption *** Kirk Cameron;Steve Orkin;Ben Howard;Lexi Wong
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The 50-page intro, written by evangelist author Ray Comfort, will present a "balanced view of Creationism with information from scientists who actually believe God created the universe." Those scientists include Albert Einstein and a host of thinkers whose lives predated 'The Origin of Species,' such as Isaac Newton and Nicolaus Copernicus.
His plan has quickly ruffled feathers among academics, who blast his claims that evolutionary theory is not compatible with Christianity. Cameron's campaign has also been met with spoof videos galore, including a popular rebuttal by YouTube user ZOMGitsCriss, who splices up the original video with counterpoint-by-point arguments. Her 'Origin of Stupidity' has received over 4 times more views than Cameron's.
The actor's faith, of course, is nothing new. He became a born-again Christian 20 years ago while still playing Mike Seaver on the ABC hit 'Growing Pains' and has since made a name for himself as the go-to actor for evangelical films, namely the massive 'Left Behind' series.
He resides near Los Angeles and has six children with his wife of 20 years, Chelsea Noble.
When asked by PEOPLE what he would do if his own kids ended up believing in evolution: "Could I accept it? Yeah sure," he says. "I accepted a lot of things that are not true before I was able to sit down and listen to more then one side and think things through the issues. I would sit them down and tell them that I was happy that they were thinking about this stuff, now let's look at all of the information and see if we don't come to a better conclusion. If after that, they still come to the same conclusion, so be it."
"now let's look at all of the information and see if we don't come to a better conclusion." And he calls those who believe in evolution and not creation brainwashed. In a nutshell, he is basicly saying, "Sure, your ideas are fine but let me force my "ideas" on you and then we'll see what you think is right." I am very open minded up to the point where someone claims that what I believe is wrong and they are right.
... and this he would do to his own children who would sacrifice their own autonomy before risking disappointing him ... that's coercion! Besides, even if there is a god, does Cameron really think an omnipotent being would operate at a limited human level ... or would such a god explain things metaphorically as a parent does with a child?
the only problem with evolution is mankind is evolving for the worst we are now capable of killing millions at a time we can cheat our neighbors and not even blink this is evolution without god this is why the russian mob is so feared they have been taught there is no god for 60+ years and now many collage frofessors have been stopped teaching and started indoctrinating since the early 60's and have established thear deciples to indoctrinate our kids today know where your kids are going and who there teachers will be
duh, the flu proves evolution, every year the strain eloves into a new strain. I am tired of christians who think gods power is so limited that his intelligent design couldnt have taken amino acids and started the building blocks of life. no matter the evidence of early man or dinosaurs they got to limit god. thier faith is measured by thier limited views
I wonder why you feel any one would force you to do anything? I was thinking that we all have the power to choose. Scriptures are not forceful. If you want to know more without being forced then pray ask and then beleive what He says. No one is really forcing anything on you unless you allow them to. I do want to tell this story. I was mad at God for everything. So I refused to read His word. I was dying a spiritual death and nobody was there to help me but God. He had to show Himself to save my life because I was truly rebellious and had been hurt so much by people I was like screw church, screw mankind and God I don't believe You or in You. It was then that HE had to set me down and told me to read His Word. I was soo mad but when I did we fought and I cried and He won. All He was trying to show me was that I was mistaken about Him, me and the reason why I was alive. That He does love me, He did not want people to hurt me, and that He is still my God no matter how mad I get at Him. I am greatful that He sat my rump down to help me.
I don't know how in the world that was the best option to use that "critic video" to put in opposition to the arguments of Kirky. If the young lady has ever went to any undergraduate class, she would have remembered that as soon as you stop addressing the weakness of the opponents argument, and engage in ad hominem, you have already lost.
You use the words" forced." How is Cameron forcing anything down anyone's throat. Because he plan to distribute a book? Every day college and high school students are indoctrinated with "evolution theory." I know because I attended one of the finest universities and listened to professors tell us repeatedly that the only reason a human did anything was to pass his genes on to the next generation. They did have a bit of a time explaining adoption as the adopted child does not share any genes with the adopting parent. Act of heroism also escaped their "theories" as why would someone endanger their own gene pool to pull someone from a burning car? Any student of history knows that Hitler was greatly influenced by Darwin and that led directly to deciding that Jewish people were "inferior" and should not be allowed to pass on their genes. Even in the early to middle 30's he was killing the handicapped.
All I have to say is: Wouldn't u rather take a chance and believe in God and if there isn't a God, what do u lose...Nothing! But, if u don't believe in God and there is one, then what do u lose....ETERNITY!!
The problem isn't substances adapting to the environment.That part of evolution does exist clearly cause if you move your descendants will adapt to what they are now apart of, etc.The part of evolution that is being questioned is that of how we were created. Nobody is being limited. Maybe people need to not be so quick and shut someone off. If someone believes in an idea, obviously they want to share what they believe with you. You do have the right to accept or reject it.
I would sit them down and tell them that I was happy that they were thinking about this stuff, now let's look at all of the information and see if we don't come to a better conclusion. If after that, they still come to the same conclusion, so be it." SO BE IT????? SO BE IT? and wooly t says he is forcing with this? who is he forcing?
WOOLY T apparently you are still a monkey and havn't "evolvled" yet... how do you come up with "Sure, your ideas are fine but let me FORCE my "ideas"...... on you and then we'll see what you think is right...first of all and its not an idea...It's a religion dummy not an idea...Im praying for you, that you get some brains when you "evolve"
Well, if one truly believes the opposite of what you believe then by definition they think your beliefs are wrong. How can one say they truly believe something without thinking someone else is wrong?
The only problem is that we are right in our beliefs! People who disagree with Cameron, such as yourself, disagree because you have not found the truth yet. Non-believers spend their time telling us that we're wrong- why shouldn't we be given the same courtesy? Sort of like those who support the woman's choice to have an abortion are totally against those that believe abortion is wrong and don't believe that those opposed to abortion should be able to speak out, protest or work to change people's minds about abortion. Their beliefs to them are right and the other side is wrong. Sort of sets up the "liberal" side as not being so tolerate. Doesn't it? But that's what they are always preaching. Much like yourself it would seem!
Okay, so maybe you can help me understand the Monkey theory of evolution. So at first we were monkeys? What kind of monkeys? Where there different kind of monkeys like asian monkeys, the puerto rican monkey, lebanese monkey, african monkeys? Were we so wise even as monkeys that we seperated the regions of people to be Chinese over here, African over there, Indian over here? Did the monkeys evolve when the migration started or were they already full blown humonkeys by then? Did all the monkeys evolve at one time or did they evolve after they seen the first one evolve. When the first monkey started changing shape how did the other monkey families react? How about the monkeys that had yet to evolve? Like Grampa monkey? Was it all at the same time or did they evolve by family background? Where did those special evolving monkeys come from? Why don't they exist today and if they do where are they in the evolving process? If Darwin's theory is correct who taught the monkeys how to talk, who gave them a language and how did they automatically understand what humans do not understand today without teaching? Example: High School, College, etc...What did the monkeys eat? Did there appetite change when half of the them was a man and the other half was a monkey? Help me get the evolution? What was God's favorite evolving monkey? Did the planets evolve like that too? Did Saturn roll and roll until it landed in orbit. How about the sun did it say hey let me roll and roll until i land in a place where I can give the earth just enough sun to keep man from blowing up into a ball of ashes. And oh Mars was smart too it said and I'll just go right here and chill in orbit. Did evolution neatly organize this private little sector of life so that we human can live day to day and raise a family? Or is evolution so organized that even it needs no help like rebellious man. I know Evolution itself has a Master. It aint a monkey. His name is Jehovah. The problem is we all want to be our own boss and we dont want to be accountable esspecially after we are in college and drinking and having unauthorized relations braking our parents rules. Then our spirit is bogged down with evil and we dont know how to get rid of it or our guilty conscious without drugs, money, success, abuse or just plain getting rid of God. It is because of shame we simply deny God exist and get mad at anybody who says He does. It is simple. Don't make it so hard. Any way in the end we will all know the truth. Holla
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Former teen idol Kirk Cameron has it out for Charles Darwin, and is making no apologies for his controversial (and mocked, see below) plan to distribute thousands of altered copies of 'The Origin of Species' to college students.
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"now let's look at all of the information and see if we don't come to a better conclusion."
And he calls those who believe in evolution and not creation brainwashed. In a nutshell, he is basicly saying, "Sure, your ideas are fine but let me force my "ideas" on you and then we'll see what you think is right." I am very open minded up to the point where someone claims that what I believe is wrong and they are right.
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I wonder what the dinosaurs would say about this issue.
Thats called pride my friend You can't addmit or evev accept you're wrong , poor soul!!!
... and this he would do to his own children who would sacrifice their own autonomy before risking disappointing him ... that's coercion!
Besides, even if there is a god, does Cameron really think an omnipotent being would operate at a limited human level ... or would such a god explain things metaphorically as a parent does with a child?
the only problem with evolution is mankind is evolving for the worst we are now capable of killing millions at a time we can cheat our neighbors and not even blink this is evolution without god this is why the russian mob is so feared they have been taught there is no god for 60+ years and now many collage frofessors have been stopped teaching and started indoctrinating since the early 60's and have established thear deciples to indoctrinate our kids today know where your kids are going and who there teachers will be
I think he has his head buried in the sand.
duh, the flu proves evolution, every year the strain eloves into a new strain. I am tired of christians who think gods power is so limited that his intelligent design couldnt have taken amino acids and started the building blocks of life. no matter the evidence of early man or dinosaurs they got to limit god. thier faith is measured by thier limited views
Wooly, You ommited the rest of the paragraph: "If after that, they still come to the same conclusion, so be it."
I'm not sure if you did it intentionally or because you're biased but if you quoted the entire paragraph the point you're trying to make is wrong.
I couldn't have said it better Wooly T...
I wonder why you feel any one would force you to do anything? I was thinking that we all have the power to choose. Scriptures are not forceful. If you want to know more without being forced then pray ask and then beleive what He says. No one is really forcing anything on you unless you allow them to. I do want to tell this story. I was mad at God for everything. So I refused to read His word. I was dying a spiritual death and nobody was there to help me but God. He had to show Himself to save my life because I was truly rebellious and had been hurt so much by people I was like screw church, screw mankind and God I don't believe You or in You. It was then that HE had to set me down and told me to read His Word. I was soo mad but when I did we fought and I cried and He won. All He was trying to show me was that I was mistaken about Him, me and the reason why I was alive. That He does love me, He did not want people to hurt me, and that He is still my God no matter how mad I get at Him. I am greatful that He sat my rump down to help me.
I don't know how in the world that was the best option to use that "critic video" to put in opposition to the arguments of Kirky. If the young lady has ever went to any undergraduate class, she would have remembered that as soon as you stop addressing the weakness of the opponents argument, and engage in ad hominem, you have already lost.
You use the words" forced." How is Cameron forcing anything down anyone's throat. Because he plan to distribute a book? Every day college and high school students are indoctrinated with "evolution theory." I know because I attended one of the finest universities and listened to professors tell us repeatedly that the only reason a human did anything was to pass his genes on to the next generation. They did have a bit of a time explaining adoption as the adopted child does not share any genes with the adopting parent. Act of heroism also escaped their "theories" as why would someone endanger their own gene pool to pull someone from a burning car? Any student of history knows that Hitler was greatly influenced by Darwin and that led directly to deciding that Jewish people were "inferior" and should not be allowed to pass on their genes. Even in the early to middle 30's he was killing the handicapped.
All I have to say is: Wouldn't u rather take a chance and believe in God and if there isn't a God, what do u lose...Nothing! But, if u don't believe in God and there is one, then what do u lose....ETERNITY!!
i know lol what would dinos think
There may be a common denominator in all this whether we want to believe in miracles or not!
The problem isn't substances adapting to the environment.That part of evolution does exist clearly cause if you move your descendants will adapt to what they are now apart of, etc.The part of evolution that is being questioned is that of how we were created. Nobody is being limited. Maybe people need to not be so quick and shut someone off. If someone believes in an idea, obviously they want to share what they believe with you. You do have the right to accept or reject it.
I would sit them down and tell them that I was happy that they were thinking about this stuff, now let's look at all of the information and see if we don't come to a better conclusion. If after that, they still come to the same conclusion, so be it." SO BE IT????? SO BE IT? and wooly t says he is forcing with this? who is he forcing?
WOOLY T apparently you are still a monkey and havn't "evolvled" yet... how do you come up with "Sure, your ideas are fine but let me FORCE my "ideas"...... on you and then we'll see what you think is right...first of all and its not an idea...It's a religion dummy not an idea...Im praying for you, that you get some brains when you "evolve"
Well, if one truly believes the opposite of what you believe then by definition they think your beliefs are wrong. How can one say they truly believe something without thinking someone else is wrong?
The only problem is that we are right in our beliefs! People who disagree with Cameron, such as yourself, disagree because you have not found the truth yet. Non-believers spend their time telling us that we're wrong- why shouldn't we be given the same courtesy? Sort of like those who support the woman's choice to have an abortion are totally against those that believe abortion is wrong and don't believe that those opposed to abortion should be able to speak out, protest or work to change people's minds about abortion. Their beliefs to them are right and the other side is wrong. Sort of sets up the "liberal" side as not being so tolerate. Doesn't it? But that's what they are always preaching. Much like yourself it would seem!
Okay, so maybe you can help me understand the Monkey theory of evolution. So at first we were monkeys? What kind of monkeys? Where there different kind of monkeys like asian monkeys, the puerto rican monkey, lebanese monkey, african monkeys? Were we so wise even as monkeys that we seperated the regions of people to be Chinese over here, African over there, Indian over here? Did the monkeys evolve when the migration started or were they already full blown humonkeys by then? Did all the monkeys evolve at one time or did they evolve after they seen the first one evolve. When the first monkey started changing shape how did the other monkey families react? How about the monkeys that had yet to evolve? Like Grampa monkey? Was it all at the same time or did they evolve by family background? Where did those special evolving monkeys come from? Why don't they exist today and if they do where are they in the evolving process? If Darwin's theory is correct who taught the monkeys how to talk, who gave them a language and how did they automatically understand what humans do not understand today without teaching? Example: High School, College, etc...What did the monkeys eat? Did there appetite change when half of the them was a man and the other half was a monkey? Help me get the evolution? What was God's favorite evolving monkey? Did the planets evolve like that too? Did Saturn roll and roll until it landed in orbit. How about the sun did it say hey let me roll and roll until i land in a place where I can give the earth just enough sun to keep man from blowing up into a ball of ashes. And oh Mars was smart too it said and I'll just go right here and chill in orbit. Did evolution neatly organize this private little sector of life so that we human can live day to day and raise a family? Or is evolution so organized that even it needs no help like rebellious man. I know Evolution itself has a Master. It aint a monkey. His name is Jehovah. The problem is we all want to be our own boss and we dont want to be accountable esspecially after we are in college and drinking and having unauthorized relations braking our parents rules. Then our spirit is bogged down with evil and we dont know how to get rid of it or our guilty conscious without drugs, money, success, abuse or just plain getting rid of God. It is because of shame we simply deny God exist and get mad at anybody who says He does. It is simple. Don't make it so hard. Any way in the end we will all know the truth. Holla