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Ken Ham




Kenneth Alfred Ham (b. October 20 , 1951 ) is the president of Answers In Genesis USA and Joint CEO of Answers in Genesis International. He is a well-known Young Earth Creationist .


BIOGRAPHY

Ham was born in Queensland , Australia but moved to the United States Of America in 1987 .

He has a bachelor's degree in applied science (with an emphasis on environmental biology) from the Queensland Institute Of Technology . He also holds a Diploma of Education from the University Of Queensland . Jerry Falwell , a Baptist preacher and chancellor of the Baptist Liberty University , granted Ham an honorary doctorate of literature.

He is married to Marilyn ("Mally") whom he describes as a "very, very submissive, supportive wife" and they have five children.Interview with Ken Ham by Ron Cooper {Link without Title} Two are married, and two live with them in Cincinnati . Ham has three grandchildren.

Between 1987 and 1993, Ham worked for the Institute For Creation Research (ICR), one of the oldest and most prominent American Creationist organizations. In 1994, he set up Answers In Genesis , a Christian ministry devoted to convincing people that Genesis should be taken as literally true, historically correct and scientifically accurate in every detail.


BELIEFS


A young Earth creationist, Ham believes that Dinosaur s existed at the same time as modern Human s and, among other things, cites Cave Painting s as evidence. In his public talks, he has used a photo of a Fossilized hat found in a Mine to support his claim that ancient fossils and artifacts are actually modern. Stephanie Simon, ''Their Own Version of a Big Bang'' LA Times February 11, 2006 {Link without Title}

Furthermore, Ham believes that evolutionary theory caused the rise of Humanism , Racism , Eugenics , Euthanasia , Pornography , Homosexuality , Family Breakup , Abortion , and more. He believes that accepting evolution over Genesis (including Old Earth Creationism ) constitutes a "compromise" that leads to the erosion of Biblical moral authority. Official biography on Answers in Genesis {Link without Title} Ham often holds speaking events at various churches around the nation, discussing the "relevancy of Genesis in today's world" and encouraging the religious to speak out in defense of the Bible.

Ham encourages children to "always trust God" over science when confronted with teachings that contradict what is recorded in the Bible.


"Boys and girls," Ham said. If a teacher so much as mentions evolution, or the Big Bang, or an era when dinosaurs ruled the Earth, "you put your hand up and you say, 'Excuse me, were you there?' Can you remember that?"

The children roared their assent.

"Sometimes people will answer, 'No, but you weren't there either,' " Ham told them. "Then you say, 'No, I wasn't, but I know someone who was, and I have his book about the history of the world.' " He waved his Bible in the air.

"Who's the only one who's always been there?" Ham asked.

"God!" the boys and girls shouted.

"Who's the only one who knows everything?"

"God!"

"So who should you always trust, God or the scientists?"

The children answered with a thundering: "God!"



RADIO PROGRAM

''Answers…with Ken Ham'' is a radio program that is broadcast daily on over 1000 radio stations worldwide.Radio listing from Answers in Genesis {Link without Title} Each 90 second broadcast features commentary by Ken Ham and presents opinions expressed on the Answers in Genesis website. Archives of past broadcasts are available. An extended BB radio interview with Ken Ham is archived in the external links, below.


CONTROVERSY AND CRITICISM


His arguments have not gained the acceptance of any mainstream scientific organization. In particular, No Answers In Genesis lists specific criticisms of Ham's teachings on science.

Advocates of Creationism , such as Ham, have been criticized for presenting children with a False Dichotomy between God and science/evolution. This was a prominent statement in the 2005 opinion in '' Kitzmiller V. Dover Area School District ''.Kitzmiller v. Dover decision {Link without Title}

One particular criticism is that Ham seeks to debunk evolutionary theory by asking, "were you there"? Kenneth Ham, ''Were You There?'' Critics, Talk.origins in particular, answer this question with a three pronged reply explaining "yes, because "there" is here. Events in the past leave traces that last into the present, and we can and do look at that evidence today." Secondly, "if this response were a valid challenge to evolution, it would equally invalidate creationism and Christianity, since they are based on events that nobody alive today has witnessed." And lastly, "A more useful and more general question is, 'How do you know?' If the person making a claim can not answer that question, you may consider the claim baseless (tentatively, as someone else may be able to answer). If the answer is subjective -- for example, if it rests on the person's religious convictions -- you know that the claim does not necessarily apply to anyone but that person. If you can not understand the answer, you probably have some studying to do. If you get a good answer, you know to take the claim seriously." Index to Creationist Claims, Claim CA221[http://www.talkorigins.org/indexcc/CA/CA221.html


EDUCATION, AWARDS, AND HONORS



BIBLIOGRAPHY


  • ''A is for Adam'' (1995, ISBN 0890512078) (Children's book)

  • ''Creation Evangelism for the New Millennium'', retitled ''Why Won't They Listen'', ISBN 0890513783 ( Online chapters )

  • ''Did Adam Have a Belly Button?''

  • ''Did Eve Really Have an Extra Rib?''

  • ''D is for Dinosaur'' (1991, ISBN 0890511934) (Children's book)

  • ''Dinosaurs of Eden'' (2000, ISBN 0890513406) (Children's book)

  • ''The Great Dinosaur Mystery Solved! A Biblical View of These Amazing Creatures''

  • ''One Blood—the Biblical Answer to Racism'' (with Don Batten and Carl Wieland, 1999, ISBN 0890512760)

  • ''Refuting Evolution'' by Jonathan Sarfati (Ham wrote the foreword) (1999, ISBN 0890512582)

  • ''The Lie: Evolution'' (ISBN 0890511586)

  • ''The Revised & Expanded Answers Book'' (ed. Don Batten ; co-authors Jonathan Sarfati and Carl Wieland ) {Link without Title}

  • ''Walking through Shadows—Finding Hope in a World of Pain'' (with Carl Wieland, 2002, ISBN 0890513813)

  • ''What Really Happened to the Dinosaurs?'' (with Dr. John Morris)



NOTES AND REFERENCES



EXTERNAL LINKS


Official and Pro-Ham



Critical of Ham