Cults, Young Earthers, MAGAs, And The Lies That Bind

Sometimes it feels good to be part of a group. You feel protected, comfortable, confident . . . maybe even smarter than others. But if the leader becomes cruel, corrupt, hypocritical, violent and predatory, the group becomes toxic.

When we sweep the toxic elephant under the rug, make painful sacrifices to maintain the lie, and refuse to believe anyone outside the group, isn't it a cult?

When the leader claims to be Christian but doesn't act like a Christian (Matthew 7:13-27, 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, Galatians 5:13-26), is God OK with it? Scripture repeatedly tells us to trust God, not liars (Proverbs 17:4, Ephesians 4:14-16, 2 Thessalonians 2:8-15, 1 Timothy 4:1-6 etc.).

In the beginning, God said Adam & Eve would "surely die" in a day (Hebrew "yom") if they disobeyed (Genesis 2:17). Satan immediately contradicted God and called Him a liar (Genesis 3:4). Since Adam and Eve didn't die in one 24 hour day, some assume that God didn't "surely" mean what He said. Instead God gets to define time however He chooses (Psalm 90:4, Isaiah 46:9-10, 2 Peter 3:8). God does not lie (Numbers 23:19, 1 John 1:5-7). Satan is the liar (John 8:42-47).

Satan tricked Eve (Genesis 3:4), but Adam was not deceived (see Adam Was Not Deceived). He understood what was happening and still went along with the deception (1 Timothy 2:14).

In the same way, many people begin pretending lies are acceptable. Some shrug and say "Everybody lies" but scripture does not teach that (1 John 1:5-10). MAGA frequently repeats lies (Exodus 23:1-2), and can only offer up the weak defense of "Everybody does it" (see Everybody Lies?). If everyone were truly a liar then heaven would be empty (Revelation 21:8, 21:27, 22:15). Of course, the Bible tells us many will inherit eternal life (Revelation 19:1-8, 21:3, 21:24). Faithful Christians reject lies and refuse to support those that spread them (Exodus 20:16, 23:1-2, Proverbs 17:4, 2 Peter 2:1-22, Revelation 2:2).

Disputing science makes people vain (1 Timothy 6:20), and the Bible gets proven right whenever the world watches how Young Earthers behave. They know the proud, greedy and selfish things they confidently teach seem strange and off-putting to outsiders, and know their doctrine drives far more people away than it draws to Jesus (1 John 3:10-12, see The Number One Fundamental). Yet they keep teaching it because the system rewards them: books sell, donations flow in, and the group closes ranks around itself. People see the arrogance, superiority, and pride on display, so their followers imitate the same evil spirit (Matthew 23:12, 1 John 4:5-6). God does not approve of people "Lying For Jesus" (1 Timothy 3:8-10).¹ Jesus expects us to behave like Him (Luke 9:23), and there are no lies in Him (John 3:16-21, 1 John 1:5)

Becoming an expert in science requires years of higher education and decades of experience in places of honor (Romans 13:7-12). Yet after only a few evenings in church, the cult is told they know better than the experts. This is not Humility, nor is it God's will (Micah 6:8). God hates those that sow discord (Proverbs 6:12-19), but this prideful anti-intellectualism serves Satan very well (see Mammon And The Libertarians).

We can draw a straight line connecting Young Earther extremism to MAGA ideology. Once people are taught to reject anything that contradicts their ideology, they get a prideful high whenever they dismiss reality, even if it is the science they rely on every day (medicine, cars, phones etc.). Reality denial allows them to live as selfishly and sinfully as they please (1 Timothy 6:3-5), though they cynically understand that it harms the lives, livelihoods and eternal destinies of billions of people (e.g. Climate Denial - see Tribulation Summoned). God frowns on demands for prosperity and freedom (1 Timothy 6:6-10) when it puts their neighbors in poverty and chains (2 Peter 2:17-22). That spirit is not Godly (see Selfish vs. Social), it is demonic (John 10:10, Revelation 11:18).

These six things doth the LORD hate:
yea, seven are an abomination unto him:
A proud look, a lying tongue,
and hands that shed innocent blood,
An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations,
feet that be swift in running to mischief,
A false witness that speaketh lies,
and he that soweth discord among brethren.
— Proverbs 6:16-19

Does Donald Trump behave more like Jesus, or Satan? We know why some played along with the lies. Scripture tells us how easy it is to follow the crowd (Revelation 13:13-18). However, people should not assume they can live in open rebellion then expect God to forgive them with a deathbed "Sorry" (see Biblical Forgiveness). The scales have fallen off the eyes of many Americans (Acts 9:17-18), and they wonder how they became trapped in something so bizarre and cult-like (see Begging To Be Slaves Again). God expects us to stand with Him, no matter what (Luke 14:25-35).

It's easy to find people that excuse and glorify blatant dishonesty while calling themselves Christian (Matthew 23:1-39, John 10:20). MAGA's hypocrisy is obvious to the whole world, and we know they have a deeply-rooted aversion to confessing their sins (1 John 1:6-10, Revelation 21:8). MAGA is not known for reading scripture, but they should understand that it is full of severe warnings for their fate, if they don't repent and atone for their dishonesty (Proverbs 19:1-5, Matthew 3:1-3, 4:17, Luke 19:8-10, John 8:44, Revelation 21:8, 22:15 etc.).

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Footnote

(1) The following are concise, well‑known examples of dishonesty among Young Earth Creationists (summary only, via Chat GPT):

1. Kent Hovind — PhD claim and scientific credentials

- Presented himself as “Dr.” and claimed a doctoral degree from unaccredited Patriot Bible University; accused of misrepresenting credentials and science. Convicted of tax and fraud-related charges (not scientific fraud) but widely criticized for false claims about qualifications and scientific assertions.

2. Misrepresentation of radiocarbon dating (various Young Earth Creationism (YEC) proponents)

- Repeated claims that radiocarbon dating routinely gives millions-of-years ages for recently deceased samples; scientists showed sample contamination, calibration issues, or misuse of methods—claims used to dismiss radiocarbon reliability were misleading.

3. “Soft tissue” claims misused (Jonathan Sarfati, other YEC writers)

- Reports that dinosaur soft tissue disproves deep time were presented as decisive; mainstream scientists responded that such tissues can survive under certain conditions and do not require a young Earth—YEC framing overstated implications.

4. Piltdown/Hoax analogies and straw comparisons (multiple YEC writers)

- YEC authors have likened mainstream evolutionary evidence to frauds or hoaxes; critics point out these analogies are false or misleading because they conflate isolated problems with wholesale fraud.

5. Misstated geological examples (Grand Canyon, polystrate fossils)

- Claims that features like polystrate fossils or unconformities prove rapid, global flooding often ignore standard geological explanations (burial conditions, local rapid deposition); presentations omit context or use exaggerated language.

6. “Flood geology” fossil ordering claims

- Assertions that the fossil record’s ordering is inconsistent or staged have been countered by detailed paleontological and stratigraphic work showing consistent, interpretable patterns—YEC critiques sometimes rely on selective examples or errors.

7. Creationist radiocarbon from coal/diamonds reports

- Occasional claims that measurable C‑14 in coal or diamonds proves recent origin; mainstream explanations cite contamination, instrument background, or small modern carbon contamination—claiming this as proof of a young Earth is misleading.

8. Misrepresenting peer review and mainstream science acceptance

- Statements that no mainstream scientists dispute YEC claims or that peer-reviewed refutations exist but are suppressed are contradicted by the lack of rigorous, peer‑reviewed YEC research and open critique in scientific literature.

9. Wrongly attributing quotes or fabricating quotations

- Instances where creationist texts attribute dramatic quotes to scientists or authorities that are inaccurate, out of context, or fabricated.

10. Darwin fish / evolution denial public claims overturned by simple tests

- Public demonstrations or arguments (e.g., simple analogies claiming impossibility of transitional forms) shown to be based on misunderstandings or elementary errors when subjected to basic biological evidence.

Below are concise claims from my earlier list with sources for each claim.

1) Kent Hovind — misrepresented credentials; convicted of tax- and fraud-related crimes

- Wikipedia summary of Hovind’s biography, credential claims, and legal convictions.

- Coverage of his 2006 conviction and sentencing.

2) Misrepresentation of radiocarbon dating (C‑14 in coal/diamonds, etc.)

- NCSE detailed answers to creationist attacks on carbon‑14 dating, explaining contamination, background, calibration, and why YEC C‑14 claims are misleading.

- Technical critique on how creationists misrepresent radiocarbon methods.

3) Misused “soft tissue” claims (dinosaur soft tissue framed as proof of a young Earth)

- Scientific responses explaining preservation mechanisms for soft tissues and why such findings don’t require a young Earth (examples and discussion collected in mainstream science commentary).

4) Flood geology, polystrate fossils, and misinterpreted geological features

- General critiques and explanations showing standard geological interpretations for polystrate fossils, unconformities, and fossil-ordering that counter YEC rapid-flood claims (NCSE resources and geological reviews).

5) Misrepresenting peer review and mainstream acceptance

- Analyses showing the scarcity of rigorous peer‑reviewed YEC research and documenting how mainstream science evaluates and publishes on these topics.