Bert Thompson, Ph.D.-Is He Hiding?
Robert Baty
Some of you, or the secret observers of this forum, may recall that Bert
Thompson, Ph.D. (Executive Director of Apologetics Press) obtained some
little notoriety a few years back when he was effective in trying to run
off a couple of professor-types (Archie Manis & Kenneth Williams) at
Abilene Christian University because of allegations they taught
evolution
It was no small feat, and much opposition was encountered in the effort.
Bert Thompson, Ph.D. memorialized the history of the effort in a little
book (1986) entitled, Is Genesis Myth? - The Shocking Story of the
Teaching of Evolution at Abilene Christian University.
On page 73, Bert Thompson, Ph.D. states:
"...one haunting question keeps nagging at me: if they refuse to answer
my letters, will not answer my questions regarding their teachings, and
are afraid to meet me in a face-to-face confrontation, is it possible -
just possible - that they have something to hid?!"
He went on to state: "I honestly think the question answers itself".
In a front page article in his own magazine, Reason and Revelation (Vol.
XV, No. 9, 1995), it is lamented that people are looking to avoid
responsibility. Bert Thompson, Ph.D. goes on to note that "Both profane
and sacred history are replete with examples of men and women who sought
to shift the blame for their own mistakes, misjudgements, or misdeeds to
someone else."
In referring specifically to Saul, Bert Thompson, Ph.D. states, "Not
only did Saul attempt to shift the blame for his error to others, but
simultaneously he attempted to explain his disobedience by suggesting
that he acted as he did for God-honoring reasons."
So, kind readers, what say ye? Applying the standards enumerated in the
above statements to the discussion of Bert Thompson, Ph.D. and his
"life's work" as discussed in this forum and the feedback pages, what
conclusions might be drawn?
Is an explanation, retraction, apology only something that Leona
Helmsley's little people (i.e. Kyle Cowden-see his July post explaining,
retracting and apologizing for his feedback page error) ) are expected
to do?
Is Bert Thompson, Ph.D. hiding? I honestly think the question answers
itself, but I am only a bumpkin from the backwoods. What say the
experts and others of Talk.Origins?
Sincerely,
Robert Baty
Honus
> Is Bert Thompson, Ph.D. hiding? I honestly think the question answers
> itself, but I am only a bumpkin from the backwoods. What say the
> experts and others of Talk.Origins?
I'd say that he sounds like just another fundy hypocrite...so, I'm not a
bit surprised by any of this.
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dr...@azsunset.com
I think you are obsessing. There are plenty of creationists in the (global
flood created) sea to mess with, why limit yourself to this guy?
In article <28232-35...@newsd-154.iap.bryant.webtv.net>,
> Is Bert Thompson, Ph.D. hiding? I honestly think the question answers
> itself, but I am only a bumpkin from the backwoods. What say the
> experts and others of Talk.Origins?
>
> Sincerely,
> Robert Baty
Daniel "Theophage" Clark
http://www.azsunset.com/~drdan
- Got Reason?
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Honus
>
> Dude,
>
> I think you are obsessing. There are plenty of creationists in the (global
> flood created) sea to mess with, why limit yourself to this guy?
I don't agree. Credibility is everything, and applies equally to both
sides. Thompson the Fundy is spreading lies about an evolutionist. I
wouldn't just sit back, and let him skate on that. If it was someone
like Karl with no influence, maybe. But not anyone that's in the public
eye.
Robert Baty
Daniel Clark mused about why I should be so concerned about Bert
Thompson, Ph.D.
I would hope this forum would not exhibit the same tendencies I have
encountered for five years. No one effectively addresses the public
issues regarding the public issues surrounding Bert Thompson, Ph.D. and
he is allowed to remain in seclusion. Rather, I become some sort of
article of interest.
I am nobody to be concerned about. I am prepared to fade back into
obscurity from whence I came. I have read the criticisms of the hobby
Bert Thompson, Ph.D. and others have been promoting. He's the one that
showed up on my doorstep and promoted various errors. It gave me an
opportunity to test the criticisms. What do you know? You guys were
right.
I searched, within my skill level, the internet and related published
materials. You guys have so concentrated on folks like Gish, Morris,
and the like, you have overlooked the guys like Bert Thompson, Ph.D. who
have romped undisciplined among their own little special interest
groups. Why shouldn't this forum (know of any better) be used to
memorialize some of the details of the public issues (within my limited
range of interest and skill) regarding the lesser light of the
"creation-science" movement?
Paraphrasing, I offer this in response to Daniel Clark:
"And there were some that had indignation within themselves, and said,
'Why was this waste of effort made? And the answer came back, He hath
done what he could."
Sincerely,
Robert Baty
dr...@azsunset.com
Okay, that's fine. I didn't mean to suggest that you shouldn't call this guy
out, just that it seemed like an obsessive thing. Give 'em hell, Robert....
Robert Baty
Goebel Music, one of the supporters and helpers in protecting Bert
Thompson, Ph.D., wrote the following in one of his much distributed
books about his effort attacking some folks he didn't care much for.
"This work was an undertaking, a proposal, program and proposition, that
I desired others to handle, to accomplish. However, with time getting
away, and with the influence of such spreading over the world so
rapidly, I accepted the encouragement of men like . . ., and undertook
the task to do what little I could (the book he came up with has over
1200 pages-RBaty). I quickly learned that which lay before me was
almost overwhelmingly insurmountable."
The analogy might clearly be made to my situation, except I haven't
received any thanks or encouragement from my fellows who aught to have
an interest in the "Truth" and discipline. Some little wrath I have
experienced.
I don't propose to know how to resolve the apparent conflicts between
"Bible and Science", although many do. I have tried to resolve some
relatively small matters with one man, and you see where it has gotten
me. I am not surprised that more complex matters remain much more in
dispute.
While some may suppose the nobler and higher ground is to limit oneself
to the issues, the truth of the matter is that the issues cannot be
separated from the men behind them, and the men (i.e. Bert Thompson,
Ph.D.) have to be dealt with.
I've about exhausted my creativity for the time being. Perhaps my
resorting to this forum will result in some "expert" development of the
facts and analysis by T.O.
If T.O. doesn't do it, who will?
Sincerely,
Robert Baty
Robert Baty
I attempted to get some information from Apologetics Press. The answer
came back today, and I offer it for your consideration:
"Mr. Baty,
Dr. Thompson has given me specific instructions that any and all e-mail
from you is to be ignored and permanently deleted from our system.
Please do not send any further communications to our offices. They will
not reach Dr. Thompson and will not be answered or read.
Charles McCowen
Manager Information Systems
Apologetics Press"
So, anybody out there in computer land having any better success in
getting straight answers from Bert Thompson, Ph.D. (Executive Director
of Apologetics Press)? Do you think it might have been something I
said?
Bert Thompson, Ph.D. - Is He Hiding? I honestly think the question
answers itself.
But I need to test my opinions in the public square. Speak up out
there.
Sincerely,
Robert Baty