Summary of "Extremely American" Episode: BONUS Onward Christian Soldiers: When Dinosaurs Walked With People
Release Date: August 14, 2024
In this compelling bonus episode of NPR’s "Extremely American," hosts Heath Druzen and James Dawson delve deep into the intricate relationship between Christian nationalism and young Earth creationism. Titled "When Dinosaurs Walked With People," the episode explores how the movement seeks to undermine American democracy by promoting a theocratic vision grounded in literal biblical interpretations, particularly concerning the existence of dinosaurs alongside humans.
1. Introduction to the Creation Museum
Heath Druzen and James Dawson attend the Fight, Laugh, Feast conference in Kentucky, which includes a visit to the Creation Museum in Petersburg, Kentucky. Heath introduces the museum as a central hub for young Earth creationism—a belief system asserting that God created the Earth in six days roughly 6,000 years ago, directly contradicting mainstream scientific consensus.
Notable Quote:
Ken Ham: "The biblical worldview tells us that God created a perfect world wrecked by man's sin." [00:51]
2. Exhibits Depicting Dinosaurs and Humans Together
Upon entering the Creation Museum, the hosts navigate through exhibits that portray humans and dinosaurs coexisting. Animatronic dinosaurs, such as velociraptors and brontosauruses, are displayed alongside human figures, challenging scientific evidence that separates the timelines of dinosaurs and Homo sapiens by millions of years.
Notable Observations:
- Garden of Eden Exhibit: Features models of Adam and Eve with a red snake, emphasizing the literal interpretation of Genesis.
- Dinosaur Displays: Heath notes the incongruity of dinosaurs existing alongside humans, which conflicts with established scientific timelines.
Heath Druzen: "Dinosaurs and humans... that doesn't really square with science." [06:00]
3. The Clash Between Creationism and Science
The episode highlights a critical debate between Ken Ham, founder of the Creation Museum, and Francis Collins, a renowned geneticist and former director of the National Institutes of Health.
Francis Collins:
"You can't just wish away the evidence that the universe is 13.8 billion years old and that the earth is about four and a half billion." [12:16]
Collins defends the extensive scientific evidence supporting an ancient Earth and evolutionary biology, emphasizing that rejecting this evidence hampers scientific progress and understanding.
Heath Druzen contrasts this with the creationist narrative, which claims dinosaurs were created alongside humans and survived the Great Flood only to eventually become extinct due to climate change and inability to adapt.
4. Influence of Christian Nationalism on American Democracy
The discussion extends to the broader implications of embedding creationist beliefs into public policy. Peter Enns, a biblical studies professor, warns that such integration threatens scientific integrity and democratic principles.
Peter Enns:
"There's no room for scientific curiosity. The only purpose of science is to prove the Bible is right." [24:07]
He argues that this ideology could lead to the erosion of evidence-based governance, replacing it with dogmatic policies derived from literal biblical interpretations.
5. Christian Nationalists’ Vision for America
Doug Wilson, a leader in the Christian nationalist movement, articulates the desire to establish a theocracy based on literal readings of Genesis. At the conference hosted at the Ark Encounter, Doug emphasizes the importance of believing in a young Earth as foundational to maintaining moral and societal order.
Doug Wilson:
"Are you a young earth creationist?... I would describe myself as a blamo creationist." [20:29]
He warns that without such beliefs, society may succumb to moral decay, citing severe ethical declines as a consequence of abandoning biblical principles.
6. Potential Consequences for Scientific Research and Public Policy
Heath emphasizes how rejecting scientific consensus, such as evolution and an ancient Earth, could impede crucial research and technological advancements. For instance, understanding the evolutionary basis of diseases like sickle cell anemia has led to groundbreaking treatments. Without such frameworks, medical and scientific progress could stagnate.
Francis Collins:
"Anytime government takes on a view about science that's not evidence based, I'm going to be really worried." [22:23]
7. The Broader Threat to Democracy
Peter Enns escalates the discussion by warning that a Christian nation grounded solely in biblical literalism could resemble theocratic regimes from history, where dissent is suppressed, and alternative beliefs are persecuted.
Peter Enns:
"If you have a Christian nation... you're only one step away from doing some of the things that Bible stories do, which is killing other people and taking their land, stoning people who are different." [26:19]
He underscores the urgent need to resist the encroachment of Christian nationalist ideologies to preserve democratic values and pluralism in the United States.
8. Call to Action and Future Implications
The episode concludes with a stark reminder of the ongoing ideological battle between secular and Christian nationalist forces. Heath urges listeners to remain vigilant and actively engage in local and national politics to safeguard the secular foundations of American democracy.
Heath Druzen:
"Depending on how you want your community and ultimately your country to look, now's the time to say it out loud." [27:36]
Notable Quotes with Timestamps
- Ken Ham: "The biblical worldview tells us that God created a perfect world wrecked by man's sin." [00:51]
- Francis Collins: "You can't just wish away the evidence that the universe is 13.8 billion years old and that the earth is about four and a half billion." [12:16]
- Doug Wilson: "Are you a young earth creationist?... I would describe myself as a blamo creationist." [20:29]
- Peter Enns: "There's no room for scientific curiosity. The only purpose of science is to prove the Bible is right." [24:07]
- Peter Enns: "If you have a Christian nation... you're only one step away from doing some of the things that Bible stories do." [26:19]
Conclusion
In "When Dinosaurs Walked With People," Heath Druzen and James Dawson present a thorough examination of how Christian nationalism, underpinned by young Earth creationism, poses a significant threat to scientific integrity and democratic institutions in America. Through insightful interviews and on-site explorations, the episode underscores the urgent need to address and counteract these ideologies to maintain a society grounded in evidence-based reasoning and pluralistic values.