Example of a Typical Young Earth Creationist
Introducing
“Dr” Jason Gastrich
Jason Gastrich is a classic example of a typically ignorant Young Earth Creationist. He usually refers to himself as “Dr.” Jason Gastrich. The “Dr.” title has no basis as measured by a real accredited degree; and as interpreted by most people, the title appears to be fraudulent – see below.
Jason Gastrich runs the Jesus Christ Saves Ministries (jcsm.org) and YECs (yecs.org) websites; and frequently posts creationist messages in Google Groups.
Note: A brief summary of Mr. Jason Gastrich’s recent frivolous $2,000 lawsuit against me (and a link detailing Jason’s misrepresentations of reality on the court documents) can be found near the end of this document. The lawsuit was subsequently dismissed.
Suspicious Academic Credentials
First, Mr. Gastrich’s claimed academic credentials are from mail-order religious schools. You can check this out via his résumé at http://www.jcsm.org/MISC/Resume.htm. Young Earth Creationists frequently use mail-order (and/or self awarded) diplomas/degrees to falsely create the impression that they have acquired knowledge equal to what most people have spent years to learn. (Hint: Run a Google search using campus, faculty, accreditation, etc. for the “schools” involved.)
For example, see: “Creationists: How to boost credentials without working!”
or run a Google search using online degree creationism for thousands of hits.
A quote from “Dr” Jason’s résumé (as of early 2004)
“Shepherd Bible College - Largo, FL - 2003
Received a Doctorate of Religious Arts in Theology (Th.D.) degree -
Awarded for outstanding academic and ministry achievements”
(Click Here for a “Tongue-in-Cheek” version of Jason’s résumé.)
At one time Shepherd Bible College had a website at
http://www.tfsshepherduniversity.com/Accreditation.htm (Web page has been subsequently changed.)
The following picture was captured via “Print Screen” from this former source and is shown here in compliance with the “Fair Use” provision of U. S. Copyright Laws
Guess whose name shows up as being in charge of OCCM “Accreditation”?
It is also interesting to note that in the original picture (shown above), Jason Gastrich does not use the “Dr” prefix. If you check the more recent version (shown below), the “Dr.” is shown. There may be a hint here regarding the relative order of events
1) Jason Gastrich apparently gave Shepherd Bible College something that they could use as an “accreditation” display.
2) Next, Jason received his award from Shepherd Bible College.
3) Finally, Jason sends a newer version of the graphic to Shepherd Bible College.
Also, it appears this degree was an “honorary degree” as opposed to something that required years of study.
For an in depth look at Jason Gastrich’s “degrees” from biblical mail-order diploma mills please see:
“My problem is with religious frauds”
http://groups-beta.google.com/group/free.christians/msg/2920c9ef366cf7df
A quote from the above source:
THE TRUTH IS: the WWAC is a business run by Paul Richardson. "Dr."
Paul Richardson claims that Jesus appeared to him, smiled at him, and
even touched him. So, it appears that the Shepard degree mill is
actually accredited by one fundie minister and Jason's little
organization.”
It appears that Shepherd Bible College has moved its entire campus from Florida to an apartment at 160 Chambers St., El Cajon, CA (Apt. # 12), which is listed as the residence of Dennis Tio – e.g. please see: http://kepler.ss.ca.gov/corpdata/ShowAllList?QueryCorpNumber=C2586783
(For fun and games, run a Google search using: “160 Chambers St.” “El Cajon”)
One wonders at which commercial moving company can pack up an entire campus and then reassemble it inside an apartment unit. In any case El Cajon is only a few miles from Jason’s address in San Diego, and is the city where Jason formerly lived. Perhaps Jason and Mr. Tio are friends (cohorts?).
What was Shepherd Bible College’s former address in Largo, Florida?
Answer: 1305 Delbar Ct., Apt. # A
What was Dennis Tio’s former address in Largo, Florida?
Answer: 1305 Delbar Ct., Apt. # A
Mapquest.com shows Delbar Ct. as a short, residential side street.
Mapquest also shows the nearest religious school is Moody Bible Institute – some 15.49 miles away.
Florida maintains a list of schools that have been licensed to award various diplomas/degrees. (It even includes “Barber Colleges”). Shepherd Bible College is not included in this list never mind any kind of degree that it could award. Unless Dennis Tio, “Shepherd Bible College”, or any other entity can provide evidence to the contrary, “Shepherd Bible College” must be considered a complete fraud as it appears to be solely an invention of Dennis Tio. See the list maintained by the Florida “Commission for Independent Education”. (Large PDF file – long download)
http://www.firn.edu/doe/cie/pdf/directory.pdf
For additional information see the post by “_AnonCoward”:
http://groups-beta.google.com/group/free.christians/msg/da933743b1f0c7ab
March 21, 2005 Update
It appears that once again Shepherd Bible College has moved its campus. This time it landed at: 12020 Wintercrest Dr., Suite 34, Lakeside, California 92040
See: http://www.sbcollege.net/Contact%20Us%202.htm
If you go to: http://terraserver.microsoft.com/ and key in 12020 Wintercrest Dr., Lakeside, CA you can access an Aerial Photo which will show a large building just south of the pin location. If you then go to http://infospace.com/reverse.htm and key in the above address (Don’t include the “.” in “Dr.”), you will find that several people with different names live at this address. Perhaps “Suite 34” is actually “Apartment 34”.
As for Mr. Tio, it seems that at one time he claimed to be a neurosurgeon before taking over running “Shepherd Bible College”. See: http://www.stpetetimes.com/2003/12/02/news_pf/Northpinellas/Church_tests_new_AIDS.shtml
Funny, a search at the American Medical Association (http://www.ama-assn.org/) has no record of a Dr. Dennis Tio in either Florida or California. On the other hand, what would you expect from someone whose “degree” is from the “Spirit of Truth Institute”?
For additional information search Google Groups using: “Dennis Tio”
"Fake degrees equal fake integrity."
-- Don Reasons
But let’s take a look at the real “Dr” Jason Gastrich.
Originally, I had a “Print Screen” image of Jason here. The original may still be present at http://www.jcsm.org/Pictures/Arizona0087.jpg
Alas, the above picture does not display his true character; therefore this second picture might be more helpful.
(Title of a discussion sequence at “talk.origins” within “Google Groups”. Contains about 37 articles pertaining to Jason Gastrich’s assertion that the Colorado River flows uphill through the Grand Canyon.)
Creationism = Ignorance of Geology and Gravity
Of far more significance is what Jason Gastrich has asserted in his forum posts within his JCSM website. (The forum was discussing the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon.) The object of the sequence presented here is to document Jason Gastrich’s complete ignorance of reality. He asserts and apparently believes that the Colorado River flows uphill in the Grand Canyon.
The following pictures were captured via “Print Screen” from the original source at http://jcsm.ws/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=647, and are shown here in compliance with the “Fair Use” provision of U. S. Copyright Laws.
If this original forum source has been subsequently modified or removed, and if you would like to see the entire original forum sequence, I can supply a copy of the forum web page as presented in either the original 2002 format or the 2003 format. Just send me an E-mail and I will return it with either/both versions added as an attachment.
The river doesn't just meander, it flows uphill.”
He is serious in his assertion that the Colorado River is flowing uphill in the Grand Canyon. Here’s a hint. Rivers flow downhill. (Under special conditions (e.g. a tidal bore) this can be temporarily reversed.)
Subsequent to this erroneous statement by “Dr” Jason Gastrich, the next posting gives the correct information.
At this point it should be obvious to most people that the Colorado River does not flow uphill. (Please feel free to use the link at the bottom of the picture to view my web page showing the actual downhill gradient of the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon.)
You would expect that someone with “post graduate degrees” would know that rivers don’t flow uphill. Perhaps now you can understand what a typical Young Earth Creationist really represents.
As a postscript to the above sequence, in December 2003 Jason Gastrich wrote “The Grand Canyon is good, geological evidence for the young earth flood.” Search Google Groups using:
“Grand Canyon” Gastrich dude
or use the above quote.
This entire sequence is an example of the geologic ignorance that is typical of Young Earth Creationists.
Related web pages
George Bush Misrepresents Science and Knowledge (http://www.durangobill.com/CreationismBush.html)
Creationism = Willful Ignorance page (http://www.durangobill.com/Creationism.html)
Durango Bill’s Home Page (http://www.durangobill.com/)
Jason Gastrich and the Farrell Till “Gay” Forgery
Perhaps the most telling example of Jason Gastrich’s lack of morality was revealed in a series of postings in Google Groups. It appears that Jason Gastrich had a disagreement regarding a Mr. Farrell Till. Jason’s way of “getting even” consisted of:
1) Writing a “gay” E-mail message.
2) Forging Farrell Till’s name to it.
3) Sending it out.
There is a great deal of information regarding this forgery by Jason Gastrich that can be traced by running a “Google Groups” search using the following as search terms:
Gastrich gay
The following is an exact quote as it was originally posted by Stephen Geddes at:
http://groups.google.com.au/groups?threadm=6da6f942.0308262334.61d9d679%40posting.google.com
Jason Gastrich pretends that he upholds 'Christian principles'. But
in reality he is a liar and an admitted fraudster. He cannot be
trusted.
Gastrich admitted to forging an email under another person's name, and
defaming him by pretending that person admitted to being GAY:
This is the original (forged) message by Jason Gastrich:
"This is a little embarrassing, but lately, I've had some gay urges.
You could even call me a "gay old Gus".
I'm considering joining a gay men's group. Does anybody know
what they are like?
I'm sorry. I probably shouldn't have mentioned this.
Farrell Till
Skepticism, Inc.
jft-@theramp.net"
This is Jason's Gastrich ADMISSION of his guilt - a FELONY in some
States:
http://www.topica.com/lists/ii_errancy/read/message.html?mid=807012643&sort=d&start=23211
I also apologize for sending the gay urges post. It was only a joke,
but it was a poor one. I was going to apologize the other day, after
President Bush made the apology for the 16 words about Iraq seeking
uranium from Africa. If the President can make a mistake and
apologize,
I suppose I can do the same. Sorry Mr. Till.
Take care,
Jason
.
.
.
.
Jason Gastrich is a fraud, cheat, liar and dishonest scoundrel.
Jason Gastrich and the www.skepticsannotatedbiblecorrected.com website
Jason Gastrich has published material where he tries to “correct” any “discrepancies” in the Bible. There used to be a website at www.skepticsannotatedbiblecorrected.com that documented that Jason’s work was poorly researched, and in general was not very accurate. This criticism of Jason’s work has been described as “It looks like a very well-researched rejoinder to Gastrich's writings. Definitely worth reading.”
Jason reacts sharply to anyone who criticizes him
In today’s Internet environment you have to be indexed in Google if you want people to find your website. Jason set out to have the www.skepticsannotatedbiblecorrected.com (SABC) website removed from Google’s indexes. He sent a DMCA complaint to Google to have the web site removed from the listings. Google removed the links to the SABC website. (The former owner of the website lives in New Zealand and possibly had no way of contesting Jason’s actions.)
skepticsannotatedbiblecorrected
At the bottom, you can see a message that 3 links have been omitted. Presumably these are links to the old SABC website. If you follow the link at the bottom of the page or use the last active index link, you can see the DMCA complaint sent by Jesus Christ Saves Ministry (Jason’s website) to Google.
Subsequently the original SABC web site disappeared from the Internet
In the good news department:
While the original SABC website no longer exists, it appears the owner has started up a similar website at:
http://www.gastrich.org
It’s nice to know that freedom of speech has prevailed over Jason’s attempts to stifle criticism.
Jason Gastrich and Amazon.com
As mentioned above, Jason Gastrich has published material where he tries to “correct” any “discrepancies” in the Bible. He has produced a CD-ROM that he tries to sell through Amazon.com. If a product is sold at Amazon.com, Amazon.com invites people familiar with the product to write reviews as a guide for other people that might want to buy the product. Several people apparently did write critical reviews of Jason Gastrich’s CD-ROM. Jason apparently did something so that Amazon.com removed these unfavorable reviews. Please see the “Gastrich again has negative reviews removed from Amazon” sequence in Google Groups. (Run a search using the above quote.) Only favorable reviews were left. (How many pseudonyms does Jason use?)
Alternately search Google Groups using:
Gastrich “Amazon.com”
for a large number of hits regarding this subject.
Jason’s DMCA Attacks against my website
Jason Gastrich has launched frivolous DMCA claims/attacks against my website in an attempt to shut it down. He was successful in having the entire website shut down (Complete Internet disconnect/shutdown) from late July 23, 2004 to 4 PM July 26, 2004. It would appear that Jason’s “modus operandi” is to invent “fairy tales”, pretend they represent the truth, and then use whatever means possible to stifle anyone presenting evidence of Jason being ignorant or telling outright lies.
Jason Gastrich’s frivolous lawsuit against me
On Aug. 4, 2004 Jason Gastrich filed a frivolous $2,000 lawsuit against me as part of a continuing campaign to try to stop my documentation of his outright lies and ignorance. Click here to see a photograph of this $2,000 claim.
When the case finally had its day in court, Jason didn’t even show up – confirming the frivolous nature of his claim.
He filed the action without using an attorney (It is unlikely that any legitimate attorney would take the case.) under California’s forma pauperis (“I am a pauper”) provision. Click here for details regarding Jason’s willful falsifications regarding the case. Jason’s willful lies have been documented here and in various web forums. As to the reason why Jason continues to not tell the truth, the following possibility should be considered. Perhaps Jason is so engrossed in his inbred, egotistical world that he is quite unable to distinguish between his religious fantasies and the real world.
A possible reason for these delusions could reside in Jason’s past. “I had bought a 12 pack of beer, a pack of cigarettes and a bag of pot. Like I had done so many times before, I consumed them, trying to fill the void and looking for a good time.”
http://www.tribulation.us/test/Jason.htm
More information about Jason Gastrich
Jason usually hides his true address behind a Post Office box number. However there are ways of finding his real street address and viewing it in maps.
http://kepler.ss.ca.gov/corpdata/ShowAllList?QueryCorpNumber=C2292276
2) The second link will let you generate a MapQuest map that shows the street layout when you enter the 2215 Judson St., San Diego, CA address.
http://www.mapquest.com
Absolute Truth of the Bible?
Finally, Mr. Gastrich asserts that every word in the Bible is the absolute truth. “I conclude that the Bible is a book without error.”
http://www.biblemaster.com/qanda/display_topic_threads.asp?ForumID=2&TopicID=3112&PagePosition=1
He attempts to defend this assertion by selling CD-ROMs (e.g. search using “Jason Gastrich” at amazon.com) that “explain” all the “discrepancies”. According to an article originally published in the New York Times, Mr. Gastrich’s assertion is completely out of touch with reality. (This also applies to anyone else who believes the Bible is inerrant.) Please see:
http://www.freethoughtfirefighters.org/Bible_Tales_Wilting_as_rabbis_face_facts.htm
Permission to copy this Web Page
Permission is granted (and encouraged) for anyone to copy (and/or display via any other web site) any of the above material for any not-for-profit use. If you would like additional information not shown here, please feel free to contact me at: lisawbill@mydurango.net
(Remove the “w” for the real E-mail address.)
Bill Butler