As someone who has spent much time following and analyzing Ken Ham’s approach to promoting young-earth creationism through Answers in Genesis, I was intrigued a year ago when I learned that The Ark Encounter, Ken Ham’s ark park, was going to host the “Fight Laugh Feast” conference at the Ark Encounter. While Ham’s scientific claims are problematic enough, his choice to share a stage with Pastor/Theologian/Author Doug Wilson raised concerns that go far beyond debates about the age of the earth or evolution.
I had a lot of thoughts about the even but fortunately many of my thoughts are similar to those of the Gutsick Gibbon YT channel whose owner is a primatologist and PhD candidate and recently published an eye-opening video titled “I Think Ken Ham Hosted a CULT at the Ark Encounter Last Year” that examines this concerning partnership. Her channel typically focuses on anthropology, primatology and debunking young-earth creationist claims, but this video explores something that strikes at deeper issues.
Gutsick Gibbons style and background are very different than mine but it was quite interesting and useful for me to watch an outsider to the evangelical community grapple with what Wilson and his followers are saying and doing.
A year ago when before the conference occurred I talked about the upcoming video in a similarly titled video: Ark Encounter Hosts Moscow Cult (https://youtu.be/UBzm_8ltix4?si=wNMe_ldgEXicDbU7). In this video I talked about the speakers and my concerns.
Gutsick Gibbon has gone much further. She meticulously documents how Doug Wilson’s Christ Church conglomerate in Moscow, Idaho exhibits at least 10 of the 15 characteristics used by the International Cultic Studies Association to identify cult-like organizations.
Below, are some of the key observations she makes from her investigation. These thoughts track quite well with my own observations and experience (see by first post on Wilson for my assessment and experience: A Plea for Gospel Clarity: Addressing the Errors of Doug Wilson’s Theology https://thenaturalhistorian.com/2024/12/08/a-plea-for-gospel-clarity-addressing-the-errors-of-doug-wilsons-theology/
Extreme Control and Authority
Wilson’s organization promotes an extreme version of patriarchal control that goes beyond typical conservative Christian complementarianism. They believe women should not vote, hold public office, or have any authority over men in church, civic life, or family settings. Wilson has written that “God has determined that men should occupy the positions of leadership in each of the basic governments.” This extends to their school board, where women cannot serve.
The group teaches that women must submit completely to male authority, particularly their husbands. Wilson’s wife Nancy even stated on her podcast that women are “minor characters” in their own homes and should not consider themselves the “main character.” Wilson has expressed strong views about marital relations, suggesting that “authority and submission” are fundamental to sexuality.
Pattern of Abuse
Perhaps most concerning are the documented cases of abuse within the organization that were either covered up or inadequately addressed:
- Multiple cases of sexual abuse of minors by church leaders and members
- Physical abuse of students at their school through corporal punishment
- Cases of reported marital rape that were dismissed by church leadership
- A particularly disturbing case where Wilson advocated for leniency for a confessed pedophile and later officiated his marriage despite knowing he was a level three sex offender
The “Us vs. Them” Mentality Wilson promotes an extreme version of Christian nationalism, stating he wants “the authority of the Lord Jesus to be confessed by the House and Senate.” He views those outside his belief system as enemies, describing the political left as “cancer” and environmentalists as a “pagan death cult.” This creates a stark division between followers and outsiders.
Making Money and Power
The organization has built significant financial and social power in Moscow, Idaho through:
- The Logos School (K-12 education)
- Canon Press (publishing house)
- New Saint Andrews College
- Various business interests owned by church members
Why This Matters
Gutsick Gibbon draws a fascinating parallel between Wilson’s organization and hamadryas baboons – one of the few primate species with violently enforced male dominance. She notes that in most other primate species, females form coalitions to protect themselves from male aggression. This biological helps explain why Wilson’s system is designed to isolate and control women while preventing them from forming supportive communities.
This analogy may leave many readers with a lot of questions about how to compare the behavior of animals to our own fleshly inclinations and I am working on a video and article to explore the various theistic approaches to these sorts of examples.
The fact that Ken Ham would host and share a stage with Wilson is deeply troubling. While Ham may not agree with all of Wilson’s views, their alliance suggests Ham is increasingly focused on culture war issues rather than just young-earth creationism. This fits a pattern I’ve observed where Ham has been shifting emphasis from scientific claims to broader cultural battles.
As Gutsick Gibbon notes, Wilson’s influence may be limited to a relatively small following of “hateful aging men or anxious younger men.” However, the harm being done to women and children within his sphere of influence is very real. His partnership with more mainstream figures like Ham risks legitimizing his extreme views and practices.
The video serves as an important reminder that when examining religious organizations and leaders, we must look beyond just their claims about science or theology. The real danger often lies in how their beliefs translate into power structures that can enable abuse and control.
I think that Gutsick Gibbon provides a valuable perspective as someone trained in both science and anthropology. While she typically focuses on examining young-earth creationist claims, this video demonstrates her ability to apply analytical thinking to broader social issues while maintaining both academic rigor and genuine concern for human welfare.
The video ends on a cautiously optimistic note – while Wilson’s organization may continue to harm those within it, cults tend to wane rather than grow into established widely accepted religions. However, this depends on people remaining vigilant and continuing to expose harmful practices rather than allowing them to go unchallenged.
For those interested in learning more, I highly recommend watching the full video on the Gutsick Gibbon channel. She provides extensive documentation for her claims, including court records, interviews with former members, and Wilson’s own writings and statements. While the subject matter is disturbing, understanding how such organizations operate is crucial for preventing their spread and helping those trapped within them.
This video left me with an enhanced appreciation for the wisdom of the founding fathers in establishing a form of separation of church and state, the important of protecting women’s rights, and the important of ensuring religious freedom doesn’t become cover for abuse. It’s also a reminder that when religious leaders partner with those promoting extreme views, we have a responsibility to speak up rather than maintain polite silence.
Naturalis Historia 