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Institute for Creation Research

May 01, 2024

The Institute for Creation Research (ICR) is a creationist apologetics institute in Dallas, Texas, that specializes in media promotion of pseudoscientific creation science and interpretation of the Genesis creation narrative as a historical event.[3][4] The ICR adopts the Bible as an inerrant and literal documentary of scientific and historical fact as well as religious and moral truths, and espouses a Young Earth creationist worldview.[5] It rejects evolutionary biology, which it views as a corrupting moral and social influence and threat to religious belief.[6] The ICR was formed by Henry M. Morris in 1972 following an organizational split with the Creation Science Research Center (CSRC).[7]

Institute for Creation Research
TypeYoung Earth creationist apologetics
Established1970
FounderHenry M. Morris
ChairmanRichard Bliss
PresidentRandy Guliuzza
Academic staff
8 full time[1][needs update]
Students(online classes) either about 30 or more than 50, depending on source[1][2]
Location
Dallas
,
Texas
,
United States
Websitewww.icr.org

Its work in the field of creation science has been rejected by science, but has been significant in shaping creationist thought in the United States by introducing creation science through fundamentalist churches and religious schools, and by engaging in public debates against supporters of evolution.[8][9] The ICR also offers unaccredited graduate level programs in Biblical Apologetics, including a minor in Creation Research.[10] The ICR also operates the ICR Discovery Center for Science & Earth History museum in Dallas, Texas.[11]

History edit

 
Institute for Creation Research in Santee, CA

The origins of the ICR can be traced to the Creation Science Research Center set up by Henry M. Morris, along with Nell and Kelly Segraves, at the Christian Heritage College (now San Diego Christian College) in 1970. However, the Segraveses and Morris disagreed on the focus of the center, with the Segraveses favoring political and promotional activities, whilst Morris favored educational and scientific efforts. This led to the breakup of the center in 1972, with the Segraveses taking control of the center and severing ties with the university, with Morris reorganising the remaining staff into the Institute for Creation Research.[12]

The ICR defined its work in terms of three ministries: research, writing and speaking. Historian of science Ronald L. Numbers states that "[d]espite its name, the institute for years conducted little research outside the confines of its modest library" and cites (founding member) Duane Gish as "explain[ing] apologetically in 1978, [that] the staff devoted much of its research effort to scouring the scientific literature for references favorable to creationism." Numbers does note that it engaged in a number of archaeological and geological expeditions, including two in search of the mythical Noah's Ark, with geologist Steven A. Austin, working as an "off and on" visiting scientist until taking a full staff position in 1979, single-handedly conducting most of its non-literary research.[13] Influential scientific creationist Walter E. Lammerts complained that "[t]he main trouble is that Henry looks at this whole thing as a sort of 'missionary' effort rather than a scientific one."[14] It maintained tax-exempt status as a religious institution carrying out "non-scientific research."[15]

In the early 1980s, the ICR severed its ties with Christian Heritage College to downplay its religious connections and portray itself as secular scientific institution.[15] Ken Ham, a speaker and former high school science teacher in Australia,[16] once worked for the ICR producing a series of seminars "Back to Genesis".[17] In 1994 Ham left ICR to found what would become Answers in Genesis (AiG).[17] Currently, at least one ICR staff member is also on staff at AiG.[18]

In 1985, the ICR helped Turkey's education minister Vehbi Dinçerler, introduce Islamic creationism in Turkish high schools.[19]

In 1987, the ICR's statement of belief was cited in the U.S. Supreme Court ruling of Edwards v. Aguillard. Justice Lewis F. Powell Jr. wrote that "If no valid secular purpose can be identified, then the statute violates the Establishment Clause."[20] He continued noting information on ICR and Creation Research Society including "a review of their goals and activities sheds light on the nature of creation science."[21] He then explained, "the intent of the Louisiana Legislature was to promote a particular religious belief" and the court ruled that teaching creationism was unconstitutional.[21]

In 1992, the ICR opened the Museum of Creation and Earth History. When the ICR moved from Santee, California to Dallas, Texas, the ICR sold the museum to the Life and Light Foundation, a non-profit ministry run by Tom Cantor, in 2008.[22]

With the Creation Research Society, ICR released statements in 2005 about the RATE (Radioisotopes and the Age of The Earth) project, providing a young-Earth creationist perspective on dating techniques like radiometric dating. RATE claimed that evidence supported over 500 million years of radiometric decay at today's rates but that it also supported a young earth. It speculated that nuclear decay rates must have accelerated by a factor of approximately one billion on the first two days of the Creation week and during the Flood. Non-affiliated experts who have scrutinised the claims have unanimously rejected them as flawed, noting that the integrity of science was compromised in favor of a message affirming the reliability of the Bible.[23][24][25][26] RATE was chaired by Larry Vardiman and included Steven A. Austin, John Baumgardner, Steven W. Boyd, Eugene F. Chaffin, Donald B. DeYoung, Russell Humphreys and Andrew Snelling.[27]

 
The ICR Discovery Center for Science & Earth History is a young Earth creationist museum run by ICR in Dallas, Texas.

In 2007, the institute relocated from Santee, California, to Dallas, Texas.[28] Morris, who died the previous year, said the move was intended to give the ICR a central national location, Dallas' proximity to a major airport, and a larger population for their ministry.[29] For FYE 2007, the Institute had net assets of $7,613,461.[30] In 2009, the ICR had a revenue of $8,042,283 with net assets of $9,857,656.[30]

On September 2, 2019, the ICR opened the ICR Discovery Center for Science & Earth History museum in Dallas, Texas.[11]

Morris's son, Henry M. Morris III, died on December 12, 2020. The younger Morris had been ICR's CEO.[31]

Research and publications edit

In a 1995 review of work published by ICR researchers, Douglas J. Futuyma writes, "Neither in the creationist literature nor in the scientific literature have I found any reference to professional research by these individuals in genetics, paleontology, taxonomy, anatomy, or any of the other fields most relevant to the study of evolution." He found their work most often published instead by an overtly religious publishing house, Creation-Life Publishers.[32]

Master Books edit

Master Books is a division within Creation-Life Publishers, another enterprise Morris helped to found. It serves as the publishing arm of the Institute for Creation Research, and specializes in theology and creation science works. Master Books' anti-evolution books are in wide distribution, promoted by most of the large creationist organizations as well as the ICR.[33]

School and accreditation edit

In June 1981, the ICR received formal state approval in California to offer degree programs in science.[34] In 1988, the ICR sought re-approval. A five-person committee from the California Department of Education sent to evaluate ICR's degree program found its graduate school consisted of only five full-time faculty and some courses were videotaped rather than professor-led instruction. The committee failed to grant re-approval by 3–2 vote, a move the ICR attributed to "religious intolerance" rather than criticisms of the quality of education it provided.[6] This resulted in California's State Superintendent of Public Instruction barring the institute from granting master's degrees in science, which encompassed their existing graduate degree programs in the teaching of biology, geology, astrogeophysics and science.[35]

ICR filed a lawsuit against California's State Superintendent, Bill Honig, and was awarded a settlement of $225,000 permission to continue its program until 1995, so long as it continued to teach evolution alongside creationism.[36] The original agreement expired in 1995, and California Bureau for Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education (BPPVE) granted the ICR religious exemption from postsecondary school requirements in California.[37]

In 1982, the ICR received accreditation from the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools (TRACS), a private fundamentalist creationist schools accreditation agency.[38] TRACS was officially recognized as an accreditor by the US Department of Education in 1991. Following the ICR's move to Dallas, in November 2007, TRACS terminated its accredited status.[39] Texas does not recognize TRACS' accreditation.[29]

The ICR's relocation to Texas required Texas state approval or accreditation by a regional accrediting agency, in this case Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS).[40] In 2007, the ICR applied for a temporary state certification there which would have allowed the institute to operate while it pursues accreditation through SACS.[41] In December 2007, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) received an advisory committee recommendation to allow the ICR to start offering online master's degrees in science education.

The Board originally planned to decide on the issue at their January 2008 meeting.[40] At the time it applied, ICR graduate school had approximately 30 to 50 students, most teachers from private Christian schools or home-schoolers, and four full-time faculty.[1][2][42]

After seeking the advice from an independent panel, the Chairman of the Texas Board requested information about the research conducted by the faculty, how an on-line program would expose students to the experimental side of science, and asked why "[t]heir curriculum doesn't line up very well with the curriculum available in conventional master of science programs."[43] Subsequently, the ICR asked the THECB to delay its decision until their next meeting to give them time to respond.[43] Inside Higher Ed reported "lobbying — by scientists against the institute, and by others in its favor — is going strong."[44]

The Dallas Morning News obtained some of the messages sent to the board and published a number of examples and summaries that illustrated how intense the debate had become.[45] Following the response from the ICR to the Board, Steven Schafersman, of the Texas Citizens for Science, reported that the ICR sent out "prayer requests" and is currently arguing a creationist derived distinction of science in their application for approval.[46]

On April 23, 2008, education board's Academic Excellence and Research Committee unanimously voted against allowing the ICR to issue science degrees citing "the institute's program is infused with creationism and runs counter to conventions of science that hold that claims of supernatural intervention are not testable and therefore lie outside the realm of science."[47] On the following day the full Board unanimously voted against allowing the ICR to issue science degrees. The decision was "based the recommendation on two considerations:

  1. ICR failed to demonstrate that the proposed degree program meets acceptable standards of science and science education.
  2. The proposed degree is inconsistent with Coordinating Board rules which require the accurate labeling or designation of programs … Since the proposed degree program inadequately covers key areas of science, it cannot be properly designated either as 'science' or 'science education.'"[48]

The ICR said it would appeal the decision saying the Education Board was guilty of "viewpoint discrimination".[49] Instead, in April 2009, the ICR sued the THECB in federal court for imposing "an unconstitutional and prejudicial burden against ICRGS's academic freedom and religious liberties" and asked for the ability to award science degrees.[50][51] In June 2010, a judge ruled in favor of the Texas Higher Education saying the ICR "is entirely unable to file a complaint which is not overly verbose, disjointed, incoherent, maundering and full of irrelevant information."[52] The judge concluded, "The Court simply comes to the conclusion, which is inescapable, that the [THECB] decision was rationally related to a legitimate state interest."[53][54] In the September 2010 ICR newsletter, Henry Morris III, the ICR's chief executive officer, wrote "ICR's legal battle is over" after the Judge ruled in favor of the Texas Board.[55]

In 2010, the ICR board of directors voted to close the ICR Graduate School and open a School of Biblical Apologetics, offering a Master of Christian Education degree with Creation Research being one of four minors.[55][56] The ICR noted that "Due to the nature of ICR's School of Biblical Apologetics — a predominantly religious education school — it is exempt from licensing by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.[55]

Criticism edit

Scientific criticism edit

Young-earth creationism is rejected by nearly all scientists, including most scientists who hold to the Christian faith,[57][58] with more than 45 science organizations having criticized creationism as not science.[59] Professor Massimo Pigliucci, a professor of ecology and evolution at the State University of New York at Stony Brook, has criticized ICR for professing to present the same science as that taught in secular universities while at the same time requiring students and faculty to sign a statement of faith to ICR's fundamentalist religious mission, most notably in affirming conformity in all its work to Biblical doctrine. Pigliucci notes that any research conducted within the ICR's policy framework is prescribed at the outset by Biblical literalism, and thus antithetical to the methods and framework used by scientists.[60] As examples, Pigliucci cites ICR scientist Harold Slusher resorting to non-Euclidean and non-Einsteinian explanations of light travel to reconcile the vast distances light travels in space with the brief timescale given in young earth creationism, and the association adopted by the ICR between the second principle of thermodynamics and the Bible's account of the fall of Adam. Pigliucci further claimed that "some of the historical claims found in the ICR museum are also stunning and show how easily ideology gets the better of accuracy."[60]

On January 7, 2007, the National Center for Science Education reported that Grand Canyon: A Different View, edited by Tom Vail and published by Master Books, the publishing arm of the Institute for Creation Research, and described as promoting "a young-earth creationist view of the geology of the Grand Canyon," was facing new scrutiny by Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER) in December 2006. The Chief of the Park Service's Geologic Resources Division recommended its removal on grounds that it "does not use accurate, professional and scholarly knowledge; is not based on science but a specific religious doctrine; does not further the public's understanding of the Grand Canyon's existence; [and] does not further the mission of the National Park Service".[61] A report by the National Center for Science Education, written by Chemist Karen Bartelt was critical of the ICR representatives and displays in the "museum".[62]

Criticism from old Earth creationists edit

Old Earth creationists are opposed to the ICR. Gary North opposes the ICR on the grounds that they think the second principle of thermodynamics contradicts evolution, and John W. Robbins considers the ICR's activities a "fraud".[60] The old-Earth creationist organization Answers In Creation criticizes the ICR,[63] including a critical review by Kevin R. Henke of the ICR's dating claims.[64] Henke concluded that the ICR's "research" was improperly conducted and "was unsuccessful in adequately separating the volcanic glass from the much older minerals".[64] Another creationist opponent of ICR and its doctrine is Hugh Ross, who accepts the scientific consensus of a 4.54 billion year old Earth and is critical of ICR's cosmological models as well as their attempts to solve the starlight problem.[65]

Criticism over awarding degrees edit

The ICR attracted much opposition when it sought approval (unsuccessfully) in Texas to operate a master's degree program in science education.[46] An April 2008 survey by Texas Freedom Network showed the majority of science faculties in Texas are opposed to ICR's request to issue science degrees with 185 (95% of respondents) opposed to certifying the program and 6 (3%) in favor.[66] Officials of the institute state their goal is to integrate Biblical creationism with science. Since their program is intended to prepare students who are or will become teachers, the developing program is controversial. In public statements, ICR officials said that scientific literacy would be emphasized, but science advocates critical of the ICR said the institute's true goal is to restore religious creationism to science classes in the public schools. Texas declined to accredit the ICR science program (see above).

References edit

  1. ^ a b c Hacker, Holly (December 15, 2007). "Creation college seeks state's OK to train teachers". Dallas Morning News. Retrieved January 4, 2008.
  2. ^ a b Eileen E. Flynn, Scott (December 15, 2007). "Creationist institute seeks certificate to operate master's program in Texas". Austin American-Statesman. Retrieved January 7, 2008.[permanent dead link]
  3. ^ William F. Williams (2013). Encyclopedia of Pseudoscience: From Alien Abductions to Zone Therapy. Routledge. p. 190. ISBN 978-1135955229.
  4. ^ Michael D. Gordin (2012). The Pseudoscience Wars: Immanuel Velikovsky and the Birth of the Modern Fringe. University of Chicago Press. p. 137. ISBN 978-0226304434.
  5. ^ "Young Earth Creationism". National Center for Science Education. Retrieved April 29, 2020.
  6. ^ a b Numbers 2006, p. 318
  7. ^ Numbers 2006, pp. 313–315
  8. ^ Larson, Edward J. (2006). Evolution. Modern Library. p. 368. ISBN 978-0812968491. OCLC 70826907.
  9. ^ Numbers 2006, pp. 316–317
  10. ^ "ICR concedes defeat over its graduate school". National Center for Science Education.
  11. ^ a b Panicker, Jobin (April 19, 2019). "Inside the Dallas Museum Where Faith Meets Science". Retrieved May 1, 2020.
  12. ^ Numbers 2006, pp. 313–315.
  13. ^ Numbers 2006, p. 315
  14. ^ Numbers 2006, pp. 315–6
  15. ^ a b Flank, Lenny (2007). Deception by Design: The Intelligent Design Movement in America. Red and Black Publishers. p. 70. ISBN 978-0979181306.
  16. ^ Trollinger, Susan L.; Trollinger Jr., William Vance (2016). Righting America at the Creation Museum. JHU Press. p. 9. ISBN 978-1421419534.
  17. ^ a b Numbers 2006, p. 400
  18. ^ Andrew Snelling biography, Answers in Genesis
  19. ^ Songün, Sevim (February 27, 2009). "Turkey evolves as creationist center". Hurriyet Daily News. Retrieved March 17, 2009.
  20. ^ "Edwards v. Aguillard: Justice Powell, with whom Justice O'Connor joins, concurring. I". Supreme Court of the United States. June 19, 1987. Retrieved October 17, 2008.
  21. ^ a b "Edwards v. Aguillard: Justice Powell, with whom Justice O'Connor joins, concurring. Part B". Supreme Court of the United States. June 19, 1987. Retrieved October 17, 2008.
  22. ^ Murashko, Alex (September 25, 2011). "San Diego Creation Museum: New Human Anatomy Exhibit Evidence of Creato". Christian Post. Retrieved November 7, 2016.
  23. ^ Isaac, Randy (June 2007). "Assessing the RATE project" (PDF). Perspectives on Science and Christian Faith. 59 (2): 143–146. Retrieved October 3, 2015.
  24. ^ Henke, Kevin R (June 20, 2010). "Dr. Humphreys' Young-Earth Helium Diffusion "Dates": Numerous Fallacies Based on Bad Assumptions and Questionable Data". TalkOrigins.com. Retrieved October 3, 2015.
  25. ^ Ward, Michael. . University of South Dakota. Archived from the original on April 6, 2016. Retrieved February 28, 2016.
  26. ^ Loechelt, Gary (March 18, 2009). "A Response to the RATE Team Regarding Helium Diffusion in Zircon". American Scientific Affiliation. Retrieved October 3, 2015.
  27. ^ "The RATE Project". Institute for Creation Research. Retrieved January 2, 2017.
  28. ^ "ICR seeks to grant degrees in Texas". National Center for Science Education. December 21, 2007. Retrieved January 3, 2008.
  29. ^ a b Schafersman, Steven (January 6, 2008). . A Report by Texas Citizens for Science. Archived from the original on January 20, 2008. Retrieved January 9, 2008. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  30. ^ a b "Charity Navigator Rating for ICR". Charity Navigator. Retrieved July 1, 2008.
  31. ^ "In Loving Memory of Dr. Henry M. Morris III". www.icr.org. December 12, 2020. Retrieved December 13, 2020.
  32. ^ Futuyma, Douglas J. (1995). Science on Trial: The Case for Evolution. Sinauer. pp. 8–9. ISBN 978-0878931842.
  33. ^ Scott, Eugenie (2004). Evolution vs. Creationism: An Introduction. Westport Connecticut-London: Greenwood Press. ISBN 0313321221. OCLC 54752786.
  34. ^ "Creation Theory Goes to a Graduate School : State-Approved Institute Teaches Bible-Based Beliefs and Attempts to Shoot Down Evolution". February 19, 1986. Retrieved April 29, 2020.
  35. ^ Sandra Blakeslee (December 8, 1988). "California Bars Degrees at Creationist School". New York Times. Retrieved November 26, 2007.
  36. ^ Delos B. McKown (1993), The Mythmaker's Magic, Prometheus Books
  37. ^ Guide to California Colleges and Universities-Institute For Creation Research, Retrieved on 2007-11-26
  38. ^ "Evolution debate on full display – Creation Museum in Santee". Retrieved April 29, 2020.
  39. ^ (PDF). Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 11, 2008. Retrieved January 9, 2008.
  40. ^ a b Jaschik, Scott (December 17, 2007). "Creationist College advances in Texas". Inside Higher Ed. Retrieved January 4, 2008.
  41. ^ Ludwig, Melissa (December 19, 2007). . San Antonio: Express News. Archived from the original on February 7, 2008. Retrieved January 3, 2008.
  42. ^ "Texas-Based Creationism Institute Seeks to Offer Science Education Degree". Fox News. December 19, 2007. Retrieved January 9, 2008.
  43. ^ a b "Decision on ICR's graduate school deferred". National Center for Science Education. January 17, 2008. Retrieved January 17, 2008.
  44. ^ Inside Higher Ed's News, Inside Higher Ed, January 25, 2008.
  45. ^ "Creationist institute's master's science degree proposal creates debate," Dallas Morning News, January 23, 2008.
  46. ^ a b Schafersman, Steven (January 15, 2008). . Texas Citizens for Science. Archived from the original on January 19, 2008. Retrieved January 17, 2008.
  47. ^ . Austin American-Statesman. April 22, 2008. Archived from the original on June 8, 2008. Retrieved May 9, 2008.
  48. ^ "ICR fails to obtain certification in Texas". National Center for Science Education. April 24, 2008. Retrieved May 9, 2008.
  49. ^ "Creationist school fights ruling". Houston Chronicle. June 2, 2008. Retrieved November 26, 2007.
  50. ^ "ICR sues THECB". National Center for Science Education. April 2009. Retrieved November 26, 2009.
  51. ^ "Institute for Creation Research Graduate School v. Paredes et al". National Center for Science Education. April 2009. Retrieved November 26, 2009.
  52. ^ . Dallas Morning News. June 22, 2010. Archived from the original on June 26, 2010. Retrieved June 22, 2010.
  53. ^ "The Institute For Creation Research Gets Slammed, Rejected By Federal Judge". Houston Press. June 22, 2010. Retrieved June 22, 2010.
  54. ^ Ludwig, Melissa (June 22, 2010). "Court rules against creationism degree". San Antonio Express-News. Retrieved June 22, 2010.
  55. ^ a b c "ICR concedes defeat over its graduate school". National Center for Science Education. September 1, 2010. Retrieved September 2, 2010.
  56. ^ Ashcraft, Chris (2010). "Fighting the Dragon" (PDF). Journal of Creation. Retrieved January 22, 2013.
  57. ^ As reported by Newsweek: "By one count there are some 700 scientists (out of a total of 480,000 U.S. earth and life scientists) who give credence to creation-science, the general theory that complex life forms did not evolve but appeared 'abruptly'," in "Keeping God out of the Classroom (Washington and bureau reports)", Larry Martz & Ann McDaniel, Newsweek CIX(26): 23–24, June 29, 1987, ISSN 0028-9604
  58. ^ "Creationism claims to be based on scientific rigour. In reality the methods employed by creationists are of three types: purely dogmatic assertions; distorted use of scientific quotations, sometimes illustrated with magnificent photographs; and backing from more or less well-known scientists, most of whom are not specialists in these matters".. Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. Archived from the original on March 7, 2014. Retrieved November 20, 2011.
  59. ^ "Statements from Scientific and Scholarly Organizations". National Center for Science Education. 2008. Retrieved September 6, 2008.
  60. ^ a b c Pigliucci, Massimo (2002). Denying Evolution: Creationism, Scientism, and the Nature of Science. Sunderland, Massachusetts: Sinauer. p. 46. ISBN 0878936599.
  61. ^ "Renewed concern about creationism at Grand Canyon National Park". National Center for Science Education. January 7, 2007. Retrieved January 19, 2007.
  62. ^ Bartelt, Karen (1998). "A Visit to the Institute for Creation Research". National Center for Science Education. Retrieved August 15, 2019.
  63. ^ Answers In Creation. . Archived from the original on January 11, 2012. Retrieved October 18, 2008.
  64. ^ a b Kevin R. Henke, Ph.D. . Answers In Creation. Archived from the original on January 11, 2012. Retrieved October 18, 2008.
  65. ^ Hugh Ross and Russell Humphreys (August 2002). . Reasons to Believe. Archived from the original on August 27, 2008. Retrieved November 6, 2008.
  66. ^ "Survey shows overwhelming opposition to ICR certification". National Center for Science Education. April 24, 2008. Retrieved May 9, 2008.

Further reading edit

External links edit

  • Institute for Creation Research – Official website

May 01, 2024
institute, creation, research, this, article, relies, excessively, references, primary, sources, please, improve, this, article, adding, secondary, tertiary, sources, find, sources, news, newspapers, books, scholar, jstor, june, 2016, learn, when, remove, this. This article relies excessively on references to primary sources Please improve this article by adding secondary or tertiary sources Find sources Institute for Creation Research news newspapers books scholar JSTOR June 2016 Learn how and when to remove this message The Institute for Creation Research ICR is a creationist apologetics institute in Dallas Texas that specializes in media promotion of pseudoscientific creation science and interpretation of the Genesis creation narrative as a historical event 3 4 The ICR adopts the Bible as an inerrant and literal documentary of scientific and historical fact as well as religious and moral truths and espouses a Young Earth creationist worldview 5 It rejects evolutionary biology which it views as a corrupting moral and social influence and threat to religious belief 6 The ICR was formed by Henry M Morris in 1972 following an organizational split with the Creation Science Research Center CSRC 7 Institute for Creation ResearchTypeYoung Earth creationist apologeticsEstablished1970FounderHenry M MorrisChairmanRichard BlissPresidentRandy GuliuzzaAcademic staff8 full time 1 needs update Students online classes either about 30 or more than 50 depending on source 1 2 LocationDallas Texas United StatesWebsitewww icr org Its work in the field of creation science has been rejected by science but has been significant in shaping creationist thought in the United States by introducing creation science through fundamentalist churches and religious schools and by engaging in public debates against supporters of evolution 8 9 The ICR also offers unaccredited graduate level programs in Biblical Apologetics including a minor in Creation Research 10 The ICR also operates the ICR Discovery Center for Science amp Earth History museum in Dallas Texas 11 Contents 1 History 2 Research and publications 3 Master Books 4 School and accreditation 5 Criticism 5 1 Scientific criticism 5 2 Criticism from old Earth creationists 5 3 Criticism over awarding degrees 6 References 7 Further reading 8 External linksHistory edit nbsp Institute for Creation Research in Santee CA The origins of the ICR can be traced to the Creation Science Research Center set up by Henry M Morris along with Nell and Kelly Segraves at the Christian Heritage College now San Diego Christian College in 1970 However the Segraveses and Morris disagreed on the focus of the center with the Segraveses favoring political and promotional activities whilst Morris favored educational and scientific efforts This led to the breakup of the center in 1972 with the Segraveses taking control of the center and severing ties with the university with Morris reorganising the remaining staff into the Institute for Creation Research 12 The ICR defined its work in terms of three ministries research writing and speaking Historian of science Ronald L Numbers states that d espite its name the institute for years conducted little research outside the confines of its modest library and cites founding member Duane Gish as explain ing apologetically in 1978 that the staff devoted much of its research effort to scouring the scientific literature for references favorable to creationism Numbers does note that it engaged in a number of archaeological and geological expeditions including two in search of the mythical Noah s Ark with geologist Steven A Austin working as an off and on visiting scientist until taking a full staff position in 1979 single handedly conducting most of its non literary research 13 Influential scientific creationist Walter E Lammerts complained that t he main trouble is that Henry looks at this whole thing as a sort of missionary effort rather than a scientific one 14 It maintained tax exempt status as a religious institution carrying out non scientific research 15 In the early 1980s the ICR severed its ties with Christian Heritage College to downplay its religious connections and portray itself as secular scientific institution 15 Ken Ham a speaker and former high school science teacher in Australia 16 once worked for the ICR producing a series of seminars Back to Genesis 17 In 1994 Ham left ICR to found what would become Answers in Genesis AiG 17 Currently at least one ICR staff member is also on staff at AiG 18 In 1985 the ICR helped Turkey s education minister Vehbi Dincerler introduce Islamic creationism in Turkish high schools 19 In 1987 the ICR s statement of belief was cited in the U S Supreme Court ruling of Edwards v Aguillard Justice Lewis F Powell Jr wrote that If no valid secular purpose can be identified then the statute violates the Establishment Clause 20 He continued noting information on ICR and Creation Research Society including a review of their goals and activities sheds light on the nature of creation science 21 He then explained the intent of the Louisiana Legislature was to promote a particular religious belief and the court ruled that teaching creationism was unconstitutional 21 In 1992 the ICR opened the Museum of Creation and Earth History When the ICR moved from Santee California to Dallas Texas the ICR sold the museum to the Life and Light Foundation a non profit ministry run by Tom Cantor in 2008 22 With the Creation Research Society ICR released statements in 2005 about the RATE Radioisotopes and the Age of The Earth project providing a young Earth creationist perspective on dating techniques like radiometric dating RATE claimed that evidence supported over 500 million years of radiometric decay at today s rates but that it also supported a young earth It speculated that nuclear decay rates must have accelerated by a factor of approximately one billion on the first two days of the Creation week and during the Flood Non affiliated experts who have scrutinised the claims have unanimously rejected them as flawed noting that the integrity of science was compromised in favor of a message affirming the reliability of the Bible 23 24 25 26 RATE was chaired by Larry Vardiman and included Steven A Austin John Baumgardner Steven W Boyd Eugene F Chaffin Donald B DeYoung Russell Humphreys and Andrew Snelling 27 nbsp The ICR Discovery Center for Science amp Earth History is a young Earth creationist museum run by ICR in Dallas Texas In 2007 the institute relocated from Santee California to Dallas Texas 28 Morris who died the previous year said the move was intended to give the ICR a central national location Dallas proximity to a major airport and a larger population for their ministry 29 For FYE 2007 the Institute had net assets of 7 613 461 30 In 2009 the ICR had a revenue of 8 042 283 with net assets of 9 857 656 30 On September 2 2019 the ICR opened the ICR Discovery Center for Science amp Earth History museum in Dallas Texas 11 Morris s son Henry M Morris III died on December 12 2020 The younger Morris had been ICR s CEO 31 Research and publications editIn a 1995 review of work published by ICR researchers Douglas J Futuyma writes Neither in the creationist literature nor in the scientific literature have I found any reference to professional research by these individuals in genetics paleontology taxonomy anatomy or any of the other fields most relevant to the study of evolution He found their work most often published instead by an overtly religious publishing house Creation Life Publishers 32 Master Books editMaster Books is a division within Creation Life Publishers another enterprise Morris helped to found It serves as the publishing arm of the Institute for Creation Research and specializes in theology and creation science works Master Books anti evolution books are in wide distribution promoted by most of the large creationist organizations as well as the ICR 33 School and accreditation editIn June 1981 the ICR received formal state approval in California to offer degree programs in science 34 In 1988 the ICR sought re approval A five person committee from the California Department of Education sent to evaluate ICR s degree program found its graduate school consisted of only five full time faculty and some courses were videotaped rather than professor led instruction The committee failed to grant re approval by 3 2 vote a move the ICR attributed to religious intolerance rather than criticisms of the quality of education it provided 6 This resulted in California s State Superintendent of Public Instruction barring the institute from granting master s degrees in science which encompassed their existing graduate degree programs in the teaching of biology geology astrogeophysics and science 35 ICR filed a lawsuit against California s State Superintendent Bill Honig and was awarded a settlement of 225 000 permission to continue its program until 1995 so long as it continued to teach evolution alongside creationism 36 The original agreement expired in 1995 and California Bureau for Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education BPPVE granted the ICR religious exemption from postsecondary school requirements in California 37 In 1982 the ICR received accreditation from the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools TRACS a private fundamentalist creationist schools accreditation agency 38 TRACS was officially recognized as an accreditor by the US Department of Education in 1991 Following the ICR s move to Dallas in November 2007 TRACS terminated its accredited status 39 Texas does not recognize TRACS accreditation 29 The ICR s relocation to Texas required Texas state approval or accreditation by a regional accrediting agency in this case Southern Association of Colleges and Schools SACS 40 In 2007 the ICR applied for a temporary state certification there which would have allowed the institute to operate while it pursues accreditation through SACS 41 In December 2007 the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board THECB received an advisory committee recommendation to allow the ICR to start offering online master s degrees in science education The Board originally planned to decide on the issue at their January 2008 meeting 40 At the time it applied ICR graduate school had approximately 30 to 50 students most teachers from private Christian schools or home schoolers and four full time faculty 1 2 42 After seeking the advice from an independent panel the Chairman of the Texas Board requested information about the research conducted by the faculty how an on line program would expose students to the experimental side of science and asked why t heir curriculum doesn t line up very well with the curriculum available in conventional master of science programs 43 Subsequently the ICR asked the THECB to delay its decision until their next meeting to give them time to respond 43 Inside Higher Ed reported lobbying by scientists against the institute and by others in its favor is going strong 44 The Dallas Morning News obtained some of the messages sent to the board and published a number of examples and summaries that illustrated how intense the debate had become 45 Following the response from the ICR to the Board Steven Schafersman of the Texas Citizens for Science reported that the ICR sent out prayer requests and is currently arguing a creationist derived distinction of science in their application for approval 46 On April 23 2008 education board s Academic Excellence and Research Committee unanimously voted against allowing the ICR to issue science degrees citing the institute s program is infused with creationism and runs counter to conventions of science that hold that claims of supernatural intervention are not testable and therefore lie outside the realm of science 47 On the following day the full Board unanimously voted against allowing the ICR to issue science degrees The decision was based the recommendation on two considerations ICR failed to demonstrate that the proposed degree program meets acceptable standards of science and science education The proposed degree is inconsistent with Coordinating Board rules which require the accurate labeling or designation of programs Since the proposed degree program inadequately covers key areas of science it cannot be properly designated either as science or science education 48 The ICR said it would appeal the decision saying the Education Board was guilty of viewpoint discrimination 49 Instead in April 2009 the ICR sued the THECB in federal court for imposing an unconstitutional and prejudicial burden against ICRGS s academic freedom and religious liberties and asked for the ability to award science degrees 50 51 In June 2010 a judge ruled in favor of the Texas Higher Education saying the ICR is entirely unable to file a complaint which is not overly verbose disjointed incoherent maundering and full of irrelevant information 52 The judge concluded The Court simply comes to the conclusion which is inescapable that the THECB decision was rationally related to a legitimate state interest 53 54 In the September 2010 ICR newsletter Henry Morris III the ICR s chief executive officer wrote ICR s legal battle is over after the Judge ruled in favor of the Texas Board 55 In 2010 the ICR board of directors voted to close the ICR Graduate School and open a School of Biblical Apologetics offering a Master of Christian Education degree with Creation Research being one of four minors 55 56 The ICR noted that Due to the nature of ICR s School of Biblical Apologetics a predominantly religious education school it is exempt from licensing by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board 55 Criticism editScientific criticism edit Young earth creationism is rejected by nearly all scientists including most scientists who hold to the Christian faith 57 58 with more than 45 science organizations having criticized creationism as not science 59 Professor Massimo Pigliucci a professor of ecology and evolution at the State University of New York at Stony Brook has criticized ICR for professing to present the same science as that taught in secular universities while at the same time requiring students and faculty to sign a statement of faith to ICR s fundamentalist religious mission most notably in affirming conformity in all its work to Biblical doctrine Pigliucci notes that any research conducted within the ICR s policy framework is prescribed at the outset by Biblical literalism and thus antithetical to the methods and framework used by scientists 60 As examples Pigliucci cites ICR scientist Harold Slusher resorting to non Euclidean and non Einsteinian explanations of light travel to reconcile the vast distances light travels in space with the brief timescale given in young earth creationism and the association adopted by the ICR between the second principle of thermodynamics and the Bible s account of the fall of Adam Pigliucci further claimed that some of the historical claims found in the ICR museum are also stunning and show how easily ideology gets the better of accuracy 60 On January 7 2007 the National Center for Science Education reported that Grand Canyon A Different View edited by Tom Vail and published by Master Books the publishing arm of the Institute for Creation Research and described as promoting a young earth creationist view of the geology of the Grand Canyon was facing new scrutiny by Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility PEER in December 2006 The Chief of the Park Service s Geologic Resources Division recommended its removal on grounds that it does not use accurate professional and scholarly knowledge is not based on science but a specific religious doctrine does not further the public s understanding of the Grand Canyon s existence and does not further the mission of the National Park Service 61 A report by the National Center for Science Education written by Chemist Karen Bartelt was critical of the ICR representatives and displays in the museum 62 Criticism from old Earth creationists edit Old Earth creationists are opposed to the ICR Gary North opposes the ICR on the grounds that they think the second principle of thermodynamics contradicts evolution and John W Robbins considers the ICR s activities a fraud 60 The old Earth creationist organization Answers In Creation criticizes the ICR 63 including a critical review by Kevin R Henke of the ICR s dating claims 64 Henke concluded that the ICR s research was improperly conducted and was unsuccessful in adequately separating the volcanic glass from the much older minerals 64 Another creationist opponent of ICR and its doctrine is Hugh Ross who accepts the scientific consensus of a 4 54 billion year old Earth and is critical of ICR s cosmological models as well as their attempts to solve the starlight problem 65 Criticism over awarding degrees edit The ICR attracted much opposition when it sought approval unsuccessfully in Texas to operate a master s degree program in science education 46 An April 2008 survey by Texas Freedom Network showed the majority of science faculties in Texas are opposed to ICR s request to issue science degrees with 185 95 of respondents opposed to certifying the program and 6 3 in favor 66 Officials of the institute state their goal is to integrate Biblical creationism with science Since their program is intended to prepare students who are or will become teachers the developing program is controversial In public statements ICR officials said that scientific literacy would be emphasized but science advocates critical of the ICR said the institute s true goal is to restore religious creationism to science classes in the public schools Texas declined to accredit the ICR science program see above References edit a b c Hacker Holly December 15 2007 Creation college seeks state s OK to train teachers Dallas Morning News Retrieved January 4 2008 a b Eileen E Flynn Scott December 15 2007 Creationist institute seeks certificate to operate master s program in Texas Austin American Statesman Retrieved January 7 2008 permanent dead link William F Williams 2013 Encyclopedia of Pseudoscience From Alien Abductions to Zone Therapy Routledge p 190 ISBN 978 1135955229 Michael D Gordin 2012 The Pseudoscience Wars Immanuel Velikovsky and the Birth of the Modern Fringe University of Chicago Press p 137 ISBN 978 0226304434 Young Earth Creationism National Center for Science Education Retrieved April 29 2020 a b Numbers 2006 p 318 Numbers 2006 pp 313 315 Larson Edward J 2006 Evolution Modern Library p 368 ISBN 978 0812968491 OCLC 70826907 Numbers 2006 pp 316 317 ICR concedes defeat over its graduate school National Center for Science Education a b Panicker Jobin April 19 2019 Inside the Dallas Museum Where Faith Meets Science Retrieved May 1 2020 Numbers 2006 pp 313 315 Numbers 2006 p 315 Numbers 2006 pp 315 6 a b Flank Lenny 2007 Deception by Design The Intelligent Design Movement in America Red and Black Publishers p 70 ISBN 978 0979181306 Trollinger Susan L Trollinger Jr William Vance 2016 Righting America at the Creation Museum JHU Press p 9 ISBN 978 1421419534 a b Numbers 2006 p 400 Andrew Snelling biography Answers in Genesis Songun Sevim February 27 2009 Turkey evolves as creationist center Hurriyet Daily News Retrieved March 17 2009 Edwards v Aguillard Justice Powell with whom Justice O Connor joins concurring I Supreme Court of the United States June 19 1987 Retrieved October 17 2008 a b Edwards v Aguillard Justice Powell with whom Justice O Connor joins concurring Part B Supreme Court of the United States June 19 1987 Retrieved October 17 2008 Murashko Alex September 25 2011 San Diego Creation Museum New Human Anatomy Exhibit Evidence of Creato Christian Post Retrieved November 7 2016 Isaac Randy June 2007 Assessing the RATE project PDF Perspectives on Science and Christian Faith 59 2 143 146 Retrieved October 3 2015 Henke Kevin R June 20 2010 Dr Humphreys Young Earth Helium Diffusion Dates Numerous Fallacies Based on Bad Assumptions and Questionable Data TalkOrigins com Retrieved October 3 2015 Ward Michael Helium Diffusion as a Creationist Clock University of South Dakota Archived from the original on April 6 2016 Retrieved February 28 2016 Loechelt Gary March 18 2009 A Response to the RATE Team Regarding Helium Diffusion in Zircon American Scientific Affiliation Retrieved October 3 2015 The RATE Project Institute for Creation Research Retrieved January 2 2017 ICR seeks to grant degrees in Texas National Center for Science Education December 21 2007 Retrieved January 3 2008 a b Schafersman Steven January 6 2008 The Institute for Creation Research and Its Quest for Official Texas Certification to Award Masters Degrees in Science Education A Report by Texas Citizens for Science Archived from the original on January 20 2008 Retrieved January 9 2008 a href Template Cite journal html title Template Cite journal cite journal a Cite journal requires journal help a b Charity Navigator Rating for ICR Charity Navigator Retrieved July 1 2008 In Loving Memory of Dr Henry M Morris III www icr org December 12 2020 Retrieved December 13 2020 Futuyma Douglas J 1995 Science on Trial The Case for Evolution Sinauer pp 8 9 ISBN 978 0878931842 Scott Eugenie 2004 Evolution vs Creationism An Introduction Westport Connecticut London Greenwood Press ISBN 0313321221 OCLC 54752786 Creation Theory Goes to a Graduate School State Approved Institute Teaches Bible Based Beliefs and Attempts to Shoot Down Evolution February 19 1986 Retrieved April 29 2020 Sandra Blakeslee December 8 1988 California Bars Degrees at Creationist School New York Times Retrieved November 26 2007 Delos B McKown 1993 The Mythmaker s Magic Prometheus Books Guide to California Colleges and Universities Institute For Creation Research Retrieved on 2007 11 26 1 Evolution debate on full display Creation Museum in Santee Retrieved April 29 2020 Accreditation Commission Meeting PDF Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools Archived from the original PDF on May 11 2008 Retrieved January 9 2008 a b Jaschik Scott December 17 2007 Creationist College advances in Texas Inside Higher Ed Retrieved January 4 2008 Ludwig Melissa December 19 2007 Institute proposes online degrees in creationism San Antonio Express News Archived from the original on February 7 2008 Retrieved January 3 2008 Texas Based Creationism Institute Seeks to Offer Science Education Degree Fox News December 19 2007 Retrieved January 9 2008 a b Decision on ICR s graduate school deferred National Center for Science Education January 17 2008 Retrieved January 17 2008 Inside Higher Ed s News Inside Higher Ed January 25 2008 Creationist institute s master s science degree proposal creates debate Dallas Morning News January 23 2008 a b Schafersman Steven January 15 2008 The Disjunctive Duality of Science Distinction Texas Citizens for Science Archived from the original on January 19 2008 Retrieved January 17 2008 Panel rejects creation institute s proposal Austin American Statesman April 22 2008 Archived from the original on June 8 2008 Retrieved May 9 2008 ICR fails to obtain certification in Texas National Center for Science Education April 24 2008 Retrieved May 9 2008 Creationist school fights ruling Houston Chronicle June 2 2008 Retrieved November 26 2007 ICR sues THECB National Center for Science Education April 2009 Retrieved November 26 2009 Institute for Creation Research Graduate School v Paredes et al National Center for Science Education April 2009 Retrieved November 26 2009 Federal judge rules against Dallas creationist group Dallas Morning News June 22 2010 Archived from the original on June 26 2010 Retrieved June 22 2010 The Institute For Creation Research Gets Slammed Rejected By Federal Judge Houston Press June 22 2010 Retrieved June 22 2010 Ludwig Melissa June 22 2010 Court rules against creationism degree San Antonio Express News Retrieved June 22 2010 a b c ICR concedes defeat over its graduate school National Center for Science Education September 1 2010 Retrieved September 2 2010 Ashcraft Chris 2010 Fighting the Dragon PDF Journal of Creation Retrieved January 22 2013 As reported by Newsweek By one count there are some 700 scientists out of a total of 480 000 U S earth and life scientists who give credence to creation science the general theory that complex life forms did not evolve but appeared abruptly in Keeping God out of the Classroom Washington and bureau reports Larry Martz amp Ann McDaniel Newsweek CIX 26 23 24 June 29 1987 ISSN 0028 9604 Creationism claims to be based on scientific rigour In reality the methods employed by creationists are of three types purely dogmatic assertions distorted use of scientific quotations sometimes illustrated with magnificent photographs and backing from more or less well known scientists most of whom are not specialists in these matters The dangers of creationism in education Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe Archived from the original on March 7 2014 Retrieved November 20 2011 Statements from Scientific and Scholarly Organizations National Center for Science Education 2008 Retrieved September 6 2008 a b c Pigliucci Massimo 2002 Denying Evolution Creationism Scientism and the Nature of Science Sunderland Massachusetts Sinauer p 46 ISBN 0878936599 Renewed concern about creationism at Grand Canyon National Park National Center for Science Education January 7 2007 Retrieved January 19 2007 Bartelt Karen 1998 A Visit to the Institute for Creation Research National Center for Science Education Retrieved August 15 2019 Answers In Creation Creation Science Rebuttals Institute for Creation Research Archived from the original on January 11 2012 Retrieved October 18 2008 a b Kevin R Henke Ph D Young Earth Creationist Dating of a Mt St Helens Dacite The Failure of Austin and Swenson to Recognize Obviously Ancient Minerals Answers In Creation Archived from the original on January 11 2012 Retrieved October 18 2008 Hugh Ross and Russell Humphreys August 2002 Exchanges Between Dr Hugh Ross and Dr Russell Humphreys Reasons to Believe Archived from the original on August 27 2008 Retrieved November 6 2008 Survey shows overwhelming opposition to ICR certification National Center for Science Education April 24 2008 Retrieved May 9 2008 Further reading editNumbers Ronald 2006 The Creationists From Scientific Creationism to Intelligent Design Expanded Edition Harvard University Press p 624 ISBN 0674023390 External links editInstitute for Creation Research Official website Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Institute for Creation Research amp oldid 1213418915, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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