Alpha Omega Institute

{{creationism}}
''' Alpha Omega Institute''' (AOI) is a [[Christian]] playground founded by [[Institute for Creation Research]] Graduate School alumni Dave and Mary Jo Nutting. The organization is dedicated to teaching and evangelizing [[young Earth creationism]], [[creationism|evolution denial]], [[Biblical literalism]], and [[pseudoscience]].

==About==

The AOI was founded in 1984 to [[persecution complex|stop the "moral decay"]] caused by [[evolution]] by indoctrinating children and adults into believing that [[creationism]] is scientific fact. Founders Dave and Mary Jo Nutting were originally math and science teachers in [[Alaska]] before receiving an epiphany after finding [[Duane Gish]]'s science-abusing screed ''Evolution: The Fossils Say No!''<ref>Gish's ''Evolution: The Fossils Say No!'' (ISBN 0890510466) is an early work that contains all of the scientifically refuted arguments Gish would use over his creationist career.</ref> in a secondhand book store, and then turning into creationist evangelists after encountering [[Henry Morris]] and the Institute for Creation Research (ICR) and getting pseudo-graduate degrees from the ICR's [[diploma mill|graduate school]].<ref>Christine Dao, [https://www.icr.org/article/icrs-impact-alpha-omega-institute/ ICR's Impact: The Alpha Omega Institute]. Institute for Creation Research, 1 May 2009.</ref>

AOI is billed as an "educational outreach" teaching people about a [[Biblical literalism|literal interpretation]] of the [[Book of Genesis]].<ref name=about>[http://www.discovercreation.org/about/ About Alpha Omega Institute]. Alpha Omega Institute.</ref> They are listed as a member organization of the [[Colorado]] Nonprofit Association.<ref>[https://coloradononprofits.org/membership/nonprofit-member-directory/nonprofit/2099 Alpha Omega Institute] member page at the Colorado Nonprofit Association.</ref> The organization has an overall failing score from the Charity Navigator, related to finance and accountability.<ref>[https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/742357394 Alpha Omega Institute Inc.], Charity Navigator.</ref>

==Camps and tours==

The AOI offers camps and tours to sites such as [[Yellowstone]] National Park and [[Costa Rica]] among others where speakers indoctrinate people on how everything came into existence by the work of God.<ref name=campus-tours>[http://www.discovercreation.org/camps-tours/ Camps and tours], Alpha Omega Institute.</ref>

==Discover Creation Training Adventure==

The "Discover Creation Training Adventure," formerly known as "Discover Creation Training Institute,"<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20190621210504/http://www.discovercreation.org/discover-creation-training-institute/ Discover Creation Training Institute], Alpha Omega Institute, archived from 2019. Apparently they realized that calling it an "institute" was too close to [[diploma mill|fraudulently claiming that they were an actual school]].</ref> is an yearlong "adventure" into evangelical indoctrination and pseudoscience, "designed to fortify students with a creation-based Biblical worldview with an emphasis on applied apologetics and personal discipleship."<ref name=adventure>[https://www.discovercreation.org/creation-training/adventure/ Discover Creation Training Adventure], Alpha Omega Institute.</ref> For US$4975 (add $US2900 for the [[Costa Rica]] adventure option), participants can experience "exciting" field trips and "engage in real ministry."<ref>[https://www.discovercreation.org/creation-training/adventure/admissions-and-costs/ Admissions and costs], Alpha Omega Institute.</ref> The "adventure" claims to provide training in [[creation science]], [[apologetics]], [[Bible]] studies, ministry outreach and [[evangelism]], team building, and communication skills development.

==Speakers==
*'''Dave Nutting''': Founder of AOI who holds a M.Sc in Geology from the [[Institute for Creation Research]] Graduate School, a [[diploma mill]]. One of Dave's topics is, "Was Darwin Wrong? Part 1:Cavemen and Fossils" which contains [[pseudoscience]] surrounding ancient human and humanoid species.<ref name=nutting>[http://www.discovercreation.org/about/our-speakers/dave-mary-jo-nutting/ Dave and Mary Jo Nutting], Alpha Omega Institute.</ref>
*'''Mary Jo Nutting''': AOI co-founder who holds a M.Sc in Biology from the Institute for Creation Research Graduate School. One example of Mary Jo's topics is "You Can Do It! A Homeschool Pioneer Shares Challenges and Insights," which is about forcing creationism on to kids via homeschooling.<ref name=nutting />
*'''Lanny Johnson''': Said to have a degree in [[geology]] but internet searches turn up nothing on these supposed credentials and the AOI website does not mention Lanny's education level nor where he got his claimed geology degree from.<ref name=johnson>[http://www.discovercreation.org/about/our-speakers/lanny-marilyn-johnson/ Lanny and Marilyn Johnson], Alpha Omega Institute.</ref>
*'''Marilyn Johnson''': Said to have a degree in [[geology]] but like Lanny, AOI does not mention where her degree is from nor what education level.<ref name=johnson />
*'''Richard Stepanek''': Listed as a speaker but does not have any science credentials at all yet he is able to "teach" about biology and [[paleontology]] as well as an actual scientist who is trained in these fields.<ref>[http://www.discovercreation.org/about/our-speakers/richard-stepanek/ Richard Stepanek], Alpha Omega Institute.</ref>
*'''Brian Mariani''': Listed as a speaker on creation and evolution but has no credentials in biology.<ref name=mariani>[http://www.discovercreation.org/about/our-speakers/brian-aimee-mariani/ Brian and Aimee Mariani], Alpha Omega Institute.</ref>
*'''Aimee Mariani''': Again, listed as a speaker on creation and evolution but has no biology credentials.<ref name=mariani />

==External links==
*[http://www.discovercreation.org/ Official website]

==References==
{{reflist|2|80%}}

[[Category:Creationism]]
[[Category:Pseudoscience promoting organizations]]
[[Category:Christianity]]
[[Category:Institute for Creation Research]]

Categories: Creationism, Pseudoscience promoting organizations, Christianity, Institute for Creation Research