The Nature of Current Deceptions

As is so often the case, once one accepts certain underlying premises of a theory or truth claims, and is ignorant or closed-minded to considerations of factual counter-information which contradicts those truth claims, the arguments supporting them are overwhelmingly convincing. This is especially true when matters of religious faith are involved. Just as in the case of the Atheists’ theories of Naturalistic Evolution by the magic of progressive genetic mutations (scientifically an oxymoron) and Natural Selection, or catastrophic Anthropogenic Global Warming (now just Climate Change) caused by human emissions of CO2, and the list goes on and on, the one-sided arguments are very convincing.

Truthfully, if the obvious doesn’t alert one to the problem, probably nothing will – they are believing what they want to believe, not what the evidence will support. If one can believe that an image of a three-dimensional body can be made on a sheet of material draped over the body, but that image does not include the top or crown of the head, but instead the top of the forehead attached to the top of the back of the head, as in a very flat two-dimensional body – unless Jesus was run over by some kind of a steam roller machine before He was buried, none of the rest is of much consequence, its just a matter of faith after-all (albeit not reality-based faith). All the discussion about DNA, Carbon dating, analysis of the coloration with respect to possible materials used, is nothing but diversionary tactics – the true believer will only accept what they want to believe, discrediting all the rest to the unbelief of skeptics denying the fact of the resurrection of Christ.

While in many cases this is certainly well-intended, it is nonetheless intellectually dishonest, completely unnecessary, and has unintended consequences – such as misplaced faith in unreliable sources, such as religionists (Catholic theologians) and even more secular right-wingers (such as Michael Knowles – also a Catholic and apologist for Catholic religious beliefs including the Shroud of Turin).

It is also a tell-tale sign when the promoters of such theories and truth claims use attention grabbing hyperbole such as “This is terrifying”, a very trendy word appearing again and again especially in social media posts and You Tube videos. As in this case, “Genetic test on Jesus shroud reveals Genetic traces from China, India, Africa and Jerusalem”, an article which is largely just a resurfacing of old news as if it was startling new information which just surfaced and is terrifying and completely unexpected by the discoverers – give me a break! This appeared in the same news cycle as another similar kind of hoax using the same hyperbolic language, featuring the word “terrifying”, entitled “Scientists Finally Enter Noah’s Ark in Turkey” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6fhcAQzdhTI ). It was a YouTube video which was taken down in a few days (perhaps in part because of my own comments exposing how fraudulent it was). It began with factual information, repeating mostly what was appearing in other news sources, such as a Fox News special report, and New York Post, about the findings of a rock formation at Durupinar in Turkey, believed to be Noah’s Ark. However, it then went way beyond what was factual reporting to introduce a whole other hoax being perpetrated on the public (especially the Christian community). The claim was that a core had been drilled through the surface material and a robotic camera was inserted into what was a large cavern. Apparently the “terrifying” part was that the camera discovered something which turned out to be bones carefully arranged as if intentionally buried there in this cavern – ostensibly passengers on board the ark other than what the Bible discloses, Noah and his family of only 8 persons. But here is the real shocker – those were not just human remains, but DNA testing revealed they were non-human, or transhuman. From this then the narrative goes to the mention of the Nephilim in Genesis 6:4, that they were the bones of the Nephilim, which were the offspring of the fallen angels who had impregnated human women – i.e. the Genesis 6 Nephilim Conspiracy, or theory (a la Timothy Alberino in Birthright).

First of all, no such boring or penetration has yet been allowed by the Turkish government, and if it was done it would be kept very secret for fear of reprisals from the Islamic government – certainly not broadcast in a You Tube video. Second, the remote camera finding bones in such a cavern is highly unlikely, certainly not biblical. But the real giveaway that it is an absurd fraud is the claim about the DNA of the bones – as if DNA could be determined by a remote camera. What is indeed somewhat terrifying is that anyone could believe such ridiculous nonsense, or that anyone would even think that someone would believe it. No real mystery as to why it was taken down in a few days.

But the lesson here is that when such over the top hyperbolic language is used, attention-getting clickbait sensationalism, reader beware – its Fake News. Whether its about the Shroud of Turin, Noah’s Ark, or Space Aliens, Extraterrestrials, Nephilim, the discerning observer should recognize such tactics for what they are and be at least very skeptical, thinking critically, examining and evaluating the truth claims, before accepting them as truth.

Again, the truly terrifying part is what happens to the persons who climb on board that train – where it can take them is – well, terrifying. It begins with taking the bait, accepting a little bit of addition to and variation from the inspired Word of God, and a little bit of science fiction (not recognizing the difference from actual science). It gradually, one step at a time takes one down the track of more and more speculation, appealing to pseudo-scientific evidence and explanations masquerading as science, perpetuated by what have the appearance of authoritative sources (such as Michael Knowles and his many guests), with impressive credentials. Where does it end – what’s at the end of the line? At best it leads the gullible on-board rider away from the real reality-based truth, certainly away from actual biblical truth, which itself should indeed be terrifying.

As Jesus Himself warned us about, the real danger to believers is not the obvious enemy, such as the known criminals or overtly immoral persons, or in this case the Atheist antichristian. Scripture warns us that Satan disguises himself as an angel of light, and his servants as servants of righteousness:

12But what I am doing I will also continue to do, so that I may eliminate the opportunity from those who want an opportunity to be regarded just as we are in the matter about which they are boasting. 13For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. 14No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. 15Therefore it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, whose end will be according to their deeds.” (2 Corinthians 11:12-15)

Jesus called these false prophets wolves in sheep’s clothing:

“Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves.” (Matthew 7:15)

False prophets abound today, gaining your confidence by declaring things they know you believe because you know they are biblical, or at least sound biblical. Metaphorically it is the Trojan Horse strategy. It is particularly effective for those who either have little actual knowledge of real scripture, or think they do know scripture but are looking for, or open to something new, something their fellow Christians, especially their would-be teachers or mentors don’t even know (as in the appeal of Gnosticism). But they also aren’t up to the discipline of actually digging into the Word of God, depending on the Holy Spirit to guide and enlighten them. Rather they go for the more new and exciting revelations from men who have gained some notoriety as authors of new book releases, or You Tube videos, or as Social Media influencers. Especially the Millennials, the Generation X and Y, have their favorite podcaster’s, bloggers, multi-media creators, internet broadcasters, which they trust and come to depend on for their edification – much easier and more exciting than just studying the scripture.