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<b>Incredibly credible</b><br>

<font size=1 face=arial>Occasionally updated and edited. 

Copyright &copy; 2009<hr>



Kenn Gividen | <a href="http://www.kenngividen.com">KennGividen.com</a>



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<img src="http://kenngividen.com/pic/kenn" border="1" width="100" hspace="10" align="left">What lends credibility to apologists? It's their ability to create an illusion of scholarly research. <br><br>



That illusion is necessary for evangelical apologists to survive in a science-conscious world that requires credible presentations. <br><br>



A well-crafted apologist illusion may include the following:<br><br>



- Attractive, academic-appearing publications, including web design and content.<br>

- Testimonies from credible individuals; preferably academics.<br> 

- Scholarly-sounding arguments that fit the form expected in academia.<br><br>



An quintessential example of the effective use of the credibility illusion is found at The Erickson Project<sup>1</sup>. <br><br>



A review of its web site will reveal the following:<br><br>



- A no-nonsense web site that address issues with an appearance of academic acumen  <br>



- Credentialed participants that include a project scientist with a B.S. degree in biology<br>

- Apparent evidence that demands serious attention<br><br>



Add to The Erickson Project a host of educated, credible authors who have written numerous books that present reliable, scholarly research. <br><br>



One such author is Dr. Jeffrey Meldrum<sup>2</sup>, an Associate Professor of Anatomy and Anthropology at Idaho State University. Meldrum is praised for examining "all evidence critically, not to force a conclusion." <br><br>



Another is John Willison Green<sup>3</sup> whose career as a journalist lend objectivity to his writings. <br><br>



Add Loren Coleman<sup>4</sup>, M.S.W., to the list. Coleman resume includes an adjunct professor at various universities in New England since 1980 and a senior researcher with the Muskie School for Public Policy.<br><br>



It should be noted that the The Erickson Project and the above mentioned sampling of authors are Bigfoot apologists. <br><br>



1. <a href="http://www.sasquatchthequest.com/" target=_new">The Erickson Project</a><br>



2. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Sasquatch-Legend-Science-Jeff-Meldrum/dp/0765312174/ref=sr_1_9?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1315477235&sr=1-9" target=_new">Jeff Meldrum</a><br>



3. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Sasquatch-Among-John-Willison-Green/dp/0888391234/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1315480888&sr=1-3" target=_new">John Willison Green</a><br>



4. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Bigfoot-True-Story-Apes-America/dp/0743469755/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1315477757&sr=1-1" target=_new">Loren Coleman</a><br><br><hr>



-- September 8, 2011