David DeWitt

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David A. Dewitt[note 1] is an American biomedical scientist and Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Columbia International University, a fundie school located in South Carolina.[1] Despite holding legitimate credentials in biology, chemistry and neuroscience, he is an unabashed creationist. DeWitt previously held a teaching position at Liberty University and has contributed to the creationist tripe at Answers in Genesis,[2] the Institute for Creation Research,[3] Creation Ministries International,[4] and Creation Research Society.[5] DeWitt is a signatory of the Discovery Institute's A Scientific Dissent From Darwinism and Creation Ministries International’s list of scientists alive today who accept the biblical account of creation.

DeWitt was a biology instructor and director of the Center for Creation Studies at Liberty University. The so-called creationist studies curriculum featured Bible verses interspersed with attempts to discredit Darwinian evolution. In 2009, he shared the stage with creationists such as Ken Ham and Andrew Snelling in an "Answers for Darwin" event at a church affiliated with Liberty University.[6] While he was at Liberty, he authored pseudoscience and pseudohistory text books used as teaching material in the creation studies track.[7][8]

Contributing to pseudoresearch everywhere![edit]

The finding of unfossilized dinosaur tissue is a serious blow to the idea of an earth millions of years old, but it is not the only example.
—Dr. David A. DeWitt[9]

DeWitt has actual research publications in science journals such as Brain Research, Neurotoxicology, Journal of Alzheimer's Disease and Experimental Neurology.[3] His (actual) research primarily revolves around Alzheimer's Disease, though his work has not proven to be meaningful and is not cited frequently. Despite legitimate research, DeWitt has done some (rather poor) research into evolutionary biology in a (failed) attempt to disprove evolution and prove creationism. His "research" on evolutionary biology consist of PRATT's, quote mines and Bible references.[2]

In an article written for Creation Ministries International, Dewitt considered theistic evolution to be "a significant threat to the Christian church".[10] His screed is full of the typical misinformation used by creationists when describing anything having to do with evolution.[11]

Notes[edit]

  1. Not to be confused with another David A. DeWitt, who received a doctorate in divinity from Dallas Theological Seminary in 1972, and is an author of Christian books, e.g., Answering the Tough Ones (Moody Press, 1980, ISBN 0802489710), and The Mature Man (CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, 2014, ISBN 150038674X). Both DeWitts received undergraduate degrees from Michigan State University.

References[edit]

  1. David Dewitt, Columbia International University.
  2. 2.0 2.1 Dr. David A. DeWitt, Answers in Genesis.
  3. 3.0 3.1 David A. Dewitt, Ph.D. Neurosciences. Archived from Institute for Creation Research, 21 October 2002.
  4. David DeWitt, Creation Ministries International.
  5. Biography: David A. DeWitt, Ph.D.: Director, Center for Creation Studies Chair, Department of Biology & Chemistry Professor of Biology. Archived from Liberty University, 1 January 2017.
  6. Christa Desrets, Liberty University disputing evolution. Archived from The News and Advance (Lynchburg, Virginia), 15 February 2009.
  7. David A. DeWitt, Unraveling the Origins Controversy (2007) Creation Curriculum (Liberty University). 2nd ed., ISBN 0979632307.
  8. David A. DeWitt, History of Life: Creation Studies 290 (2010) Creation Curriculum (Liberty University), 5th ed. ISBN 0979632331.
  9. Dr. David A. DeWitt, Tyrannosaurus rex: a Big Chicken? Answers In Genesis, 14 April 2007.
  10. David A. DeWitt, Why I rejected ‘theistic evolution’. Creation Ministries International, 12 January 2004.
  11. Critique of "Why I rejected 'theistic evolution'" by David A. DeWitt. Archived from theisticevolution.tripod.com, 21 January 2017.