I think that's an easy question to answer, Loren.
1. There are 1000s of Christian bookstores in the US now, where there were
but a few several decades ago. These appear (there are exceptions) to
carry almost exclusively publications by the "right" side of the spectrum.
2. There are 1000s of fundementalist churches who have bought into the
ICR non-science. I've looked in some of their libraries. Usually very
well-stocked with Gish/Morris/McDowell etc. but nothing, for example,
from the ASA or ASA authors.
3. Compare the influence of the ASA and ICR. No contest. The ASA has 2500
or so "members." Since only 166 (at last count) even bother to subscribe to
the ASA reflector, I seriously doubt that by any measure the ASA has even
1/100 the influence on the American culture that just one outfit, ICR, has.
4. There are dozens of "ICR-like" organizations. Joe Carson just mailed me some
promotional literature from a few of them. All were new to me -- and I knew
of
at least 4 or 5 others, just from running one internet search a few months
ago.
This reflector is one small voice crying in the wilderness. No contest
guys.
5. While the ASA confines itself (mainly) to academics (Joe Carson & I seem
to be the only known exceptions) ICR and the like organizations go after
the churches where business types are more likely found.
6. Face it -- the ICR "science" is a lot easier to grasp than real science. So
it has
a real appeal to non-scientists, and even to some scientists who are content
to look at superficialities. And to theologians. No contest.
7. So "the TEs" (and the PCs) and anyone writing on science/theology topics
without an ICR "twist" just don't get heard by the mainstream Christian.
Burgy