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Dr. Hovind's $250,000 Offer
Author: Dr. Kent Hovind
Formerly $10,000 offered
since 1990
I have a standing offer of $250,000 to anyone who can give
any empirical evidence (scientific proof) for evolution.* My
$250,000 offer demonstrates that the hypothesis of evolution is
nothing more than a religious belief.
Observed phenomena:
Most thinking people will agree that..
- A highly ordered universe exists.
- At least one planet in this complex universe contains an
amazing variety of life forms.
- Man appears to be the most advanced form of life on this
planet.
Known options:
Choices of how the observed phenomena came into being..
- The universe was created by God.
- The universe always existed.
- The universe came into being by itself by purely natural
processes (known as evolution) so that no appeal to the
supernatural is needed.
Evolution has been acclaimed as being the only process
capable of causing the observed phenomena.
Evolution is presented in our public school textbooks as a
process that:
- Brought time, space, and matter into existence from
nothing.
- Organized that matter into the galaxies, stars, and at
least nine planets around the sun. (This process is often
referred to as cosmic evolution.)
- Created the life that exists on at least one of those
planets from nonliving matter (chemical evolution).
- Caused the living creatures to be capable of and
interested in reproducing themselves.
- Caused that first life form to spontaneously diversify
into different forms of living things, such as the plants
and animals on the earth today (biological evolution).
People believe in evolution; they do not know that it is
true. While beliefs are certainly fine to have, it is not fair
to force on the students in our public school system the
teaching of one belief, at taxpayers’ expense. It is my
contention that evolutionism is a religious worldview that is
not supported by science, Scripture, popular opinion, or common
sense. The exclusive teaching of this dangerous, mind-altering
philosophy in tax-supported schools, parks, museums, etc., is
also a clear violation of the First Amendment.
How to collect
the $250,000:
Prove beyond reasonable doubt that the process of evolution
(option 3 above, under "known options") is the only possible way
the observed phenomena could have come into existence. Only
empirical evidence is acceptable. Persons wishing to collect the
$250,000 may submit their evidence in writing or schedule time
for a public presentation. A committee of trained scientists
will provide peer review of the evidence offered and, to the
best of their ability, will be fair and honest in their
evaluation and judgment as to the validity of the evidence
presented.
If you are convinced that evolution is an indisputable fact,
may I suggest that you offer $250,000 for any empirical or
historical evidence against the general theory of evolution.
This might include the following:
- The earth is not billions of years old (thus destroying
the possibility of evolution having happened as it is being
taught).
- No animal has ever been observed changing into any
fundamentally different kind of animal.
- No one has ever observed life spontaneously arising from
nonliving matter.
- Matter cannot make itself out of nothing.
My suggestion:
Proponents of the
theory of evolution would do well to admit that they believe in
evolution, but they do not know that it happened the way they
teach. They should call evolution their "faith" or "religion,"
and stop including it in books of science. Give up faith in the
silly religion of evolutionism, and trust the God of the Bible
(who is the Creator of this universe and will be your Judge, and
mine, one day soon) to forgive you and to save you from the
coming judgment on man’s sin.
*NOTE:
When I use the word evolution, I am not referring to the
minor variations found in all of the various life forms
(microevolution). I am referring to the general theory of
evolution which believes these five major events took place
without God:
- Time, space, and matter came into existence by
themselves.
- Planets and stars formed from space dust.
- Matter created life by itself.
- Early life-forms learned to reproduce themselves.
- Major changes occurred between these diverse life forms
(i.e., fish changed to amphibians, amphibians changed to
reptiles, and reptiles changed to birds or mammals).
Answers to
Commonly Asked Questions about the $250,000 Offer
Students in tax-supported schools are being taught that
evolution is a fact. We are convinced that evolution is a
religion masquerading as science and should not be part of any
science curriculum. It has nothing to do with the subject of
science. There are at least six different and unrelated meanings
to the word “evolution” as used in science textbooks.
- Cosmic evolution- the origin of time, space and matter.
Big Bang.
- Chemical evolution- the origin of higher elements from
hydrogen.
- Stellar and planetary evolution- Origin of stars and
planets.
- Organic evolution- Origin of life from inanimate matter.
- Macroevolution- Origin of major kinds.
- Microevolution Variations within kinds- Only this one
has been observed, the first five are religious. They are
believed, by faith, even though there is no empirical
evidence to prove them in any way. While I admire the great
faith of the evolutionists who accept the first five I
object to having this religious propaganda included in with
legitimate science at taxpayer’s expense.
Even a quick review of a typical public school textbook will
show that students are being deceived into thinking all six
types of evolution above have been proven because evidence is
given for minor variations called micro-evolution. The first
five are smuggled in when no one is watching.
This deception is a classic case of bait and switch. One
definition of evolution (such as “descent with modification”) is
given and the others are assumed to be true by association. The
first five meanings are believed by faith, have never been
observed and are religious. Only the last one is scientific. It
is also what the Bible predicted would happen. The animals and
plants would bring forth “after their kind” in Genesis 1.
Many have responded to my offer of $250,000 for scientific
proof for evolution. The terms and conditions of the offer are
detailed very clearly on my web site www.drdino.com. Here are
some answers to some commonly asked questions.
- The offer is legitimate. A wealthy friend of mine has
the money in the bank. If the conditions of the offer are
met, the money will be paid out immediately. My word is
good.
- The members of the committee of scientists that will
judge the evidence are all highly trained, have advanced
degrees in science as well as many years of experience in
their field. For example: there is a zoologist, a geologist,
an aerospace engineer, a professor of radiology and
biophysics, and an expert in radio metric dating to name a
few. They are busy people and do not wish to waste time on
foolish responses. Nor do they wish to waste time arguing
with skeptics and scoffers who seem to have nothing else to
do than ask silly questions when they really don’t want
answers (so far this has been the typical response to the
offer). I will not reveal their names for this reason. Any
legitimate evidence will be forwarded to them and they will
respond. At that time they may identify themselves if they
choose. The merit of the evidence presented and the
reasonableness of their response does not depend on who they
are.
- Evidence of minor changes within the same kind of plant
or animal does not qualify as evidence and will not be sent
to the committee to waste their time. For example, doubling
the chromosome number of a sterile hybrid does not add
additional genetic information; it duplicates what is
already present in the parent plant. Because of the absence
of additional genetic information the resultant plant can't
be classified as different or new species. The plant may
differ in a number of ways - bigger, vigorous as observed in
any polyploid plants. Such easily recognizable phenotypic
changes have confused many. Some evolutionists have jumped
to the conclusion that a new species has been evolved. The
key is that no new genetic information has been added. Even
a new “species” is not proof for evolution as the offer
calls for. See the conditions of the $250,000 offer on the
web site. Some have insisted on a precise definition of the
word “kind”. The Bible defines “kind” as those that are able
to “bring forth” or reproduce. Those animals that were
originally able to reproduce were of the same kind. There
may be diversity now, 6000 years later, that could cause
some varieties of the original kind to not be able to
reproduce now. For example, I understand that rabbits from
Alaska cannot breed with rabbits from Florida yet they are
still the same kind of animal. It is obvious that a dog and
a wolf are the same “kind” of animal (they are currently
classed as different “species” yet are inter-fertile-- hmmm,
what is the precise definition of “species”?) where a dog
and a fish are not. While there may be some blurry areas
that would be worthy of research in defining the original
kinds, rather than muddy the issue with these type questions
it would be wise to focus on the obvious cases like the
dog/fish comparison. These are obviously different “kinds”
of animals. So, for the sake of clarity, prove the dog and
the fish evolved from a common ancestor. The honest
scientist would be wise to admit that no evidence exists
that could begin to prove the dog and the fish have a common
ancestor. He may believe that they are related but that is
not science and that is my point in the offer. Some believe
this type of evolution happens but it should not be
presented to innocent students as a “fact”. Further, it
certainly is not evidence that the other four definitions of
evolution have occurred.
- The idea that the majority of scientists believe in the
theory is not evidence either. Majority opinion is often
wrong and must be corrected. History is full of examples.
- Anonymous letters will be ignored.
Rather than simply sending in scientific evidence for
evolution, some have wasted lots of their time and mine sending
letters demanding to know who is on the committee, what bank
account the money is in, asking Bill Clinton type questions
about the definition of words like “is”, etc. When I do not
respond the way they want me to they post notices on their web
sites claiming that I owe them the money or that the offer is a
sham! It is obvious they are using the Red Herring tactic to
draw attention away from the fact that they have no evidence to
support the religion of evolution. I tell everyone who inquires,
if you have some evidence, send it in, don’t beat around the
bush. Give us the best you have on the first try please to save
time.
Many have offered evidence of microevolution and assumed that
the other 5 meanings of the word are somehow magically
connected. They don’t seem to realize that they are blinded to
the obvious. Treat the $250,000 offer as a lawyer would treat a
‘who-done-it’ case. It is your job to prove that what is being
taught to our kids as fact (all six meanings of the word
evolution above), is indeed a fact. If this cannot be done then
it should be admitted that evolution is a religion but not a
science. Some say it is unfair to define evolution including the
origin of the universe. They say it only has to do with “change
in gene frequency over time.” All you need to do is read your
local textbook and see that all 6 meanings of the word are part
of what is taught as evolution theory. If these nay Sayers are
agreeing that it should not be included then they should help me
get it out of the books, if they are genuine.
Over the years I have heard many evolutionists say,
“Evolution is a theory like gravity is a theory. Don’t you
believe in gravity?” They repeat this mantra as if repetition
will make it true. Their example is silly of course. We can all
observe gravity every moment of our lives. We can do tests and
experiments to verify the theory of gravity. No one has ever
seen an exception to it. By the same token, no one has ever
observed evolution nor been able to demonstrate any evolution
beyond minor variations within the kind. To try to make
evolution science by associating it with theories like gravity
is ridiculous.
Nearly all responses to my $250,000 offer go something like
this: “Of course no one can prove evolution, can you prove
creation?” This response is what I expected and wanted. Neither
theory of origins can be proven. Both involve a great deal of
faith in the unseen. So my next logical question is: “Why do I
have to pay for the evolution religion to be taught to all the
students in the tax supported school system?” Since all
taxpayers are being forced to pay for evolution to be taught
exclusively in public schools and evolutionists have had the
last 130 years and billions of dollars in research grants to
prove their religion, the burden of proof is on them to supply
proof of their theory.
I do not have time or interest in getting involved in long
e-mail debates, but I will talk to anyone by phone or debate
with any qualified scientist (even a panel of evolutionists) in
a public forum at a university, on radio or TV, as long as there
is equal time for each position not each person. If you call,
please have a list of topics to discuss or questions to ask and
feel free to record the conversation if you like. Just inform me
that you are recording please. I hope this response is
satisfactory.
I have taught for years that evolution is nothing but a
religion mixed in with real science. Many have been duped into
believing in it. There is no evidence that any plant or animal
ever can or did change to any other kind or creature. It is time
that intelligent people the world over began to admit that the
king has no clothes! There is no evidence for changes between
kinds of animals. The Bible teaches that God made them to “bring
forth after their kind.” This is all that has ever been
observed. The same Bible teaches that everyone will face the
Creator one day to be judged for everything they have said, done
or thought. I recommend that everyone prepare for that day by
taking advantage of God’s mercy and forgiveness afforded through
the free salvation offered to any who will confess their sin and
receive Jesus Christ as their Lord. If you are interested in
learning more about becoming a Christian, please call me. I
travel a lot but always take time for calls when I am in the
office. I am most often in Wednesday through Friday at
850-479-3466. Check my itinerary on my web site for my location
if you need to talk with me while I am out speaking. If
possible, attend a seminar. Seminars are free and we always have
a question answer time for those who attend.
Sincerely,
Kent Hovind
Copyright © 2005 CSE Ministry ( http://www.drdino.com/articles.php?spec=67)
Note: Creation
Science Evangelism was started in 1989 by Dr. Kent Hovind. Kent
Hovind is one of the most requested speakers on the Creation and
Evolution topic in churches and Universities all over the world.
Dr. Hovind served as an educator for many years teaching
Biology, Anatomy, Physical Science, Mathematics, Earth Science,
and many other sciences. Dr. Hovind has debated the Creation and
Evolution controversy over 100 times all over the world, in many
large Universities, and on thousands of radio talk shows.

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