Ken Ham on Buddhism

[joobz]

There are several great irony moments in this one.

http://blogs.answersingenesis.org/aroundtheworld/2009/08/31/lessons-from-japan/


The idea of Ham mocking another religion is just priceless.

[pakeha]

This one, for example?


It was so sad to see people praying to the “god” behind the curtain—what a reminder they need the gospel to free them from the bondage of this false religion that gives them no hope for the future!

[pakeha]

I thought Ham's blog on slavery was pretty good, too:
http://blogs.answersingenesis.org/aroundtheworld/2009/09/09/spiritual-slavery/

[Hokulele]

Later on Michiko told us that it is believed that Buddhists went to China at some stage (Buddhism came to Japan around the 7th century) and observed a Christian communion service. They then adapted this for Buddhism, becoming the Japanese tea ceremony.


*Facepalm*

The Wiki is actually pretty good on this one.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_tea_ceremony

[joobz]

*Facepalm*

The Wiki is actually pretty good on this one.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_tea_ceremony

That's the funny thing about being completely ignorant. You can make up any little thing you want and not be bothered with truth.

[Simon39759]

Lying for Christ is his business.
That one was just practice.

[joobz]

I thought Ham's blog on slavery was pretty good, too:
http://blogs.answersingenesis.org/aroundtheworld/2009/09/09/spiritual-slavery/
Tu quoque. Nothing more, nothing less. But to be fair, you can't get much "less" than that.

[blobru]

I took photographs of a couple of their “gods”—I notice they were not very powerful, as they couldn’t even get out past the netting wire that “protected” them!

http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm270/blobru/img_3237.jpg

It was so sad to see people praying to the “god” behind the curtain—



If only they would pray to the powerful "god" behind the sheet of bulletproof glass...

http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj56/shaneoz_2008/_41691996_popemobile_afp416.jpg

[Simon39759]

To be honest, I suspect that Ken Ham feels nothing but content for 'papism'.

[SezMe]

To be honest, I suspect that Ken Ham feels nothing but content for 'papism'.
Kind of a funny typo? Presumably you meant contempt?

[pakeha]

*Facepalm*

The Wiki is actually pretty good on this one.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_tea_ceremony

Quite right, Hokulele.
Tea ceremony developed as a "transformative practice," and began to evolve its own aesthetic, in particular that of wabi. Wabi, meaning quiet or sober refinement, or subdued taste, "is characterized by humility, restraint, simplicity, naturalism, profundity, imperfection, and asymmetry [emphasizing] simple, unadorned objects and architectural space, and [celebrating] the mellow beauty that time and care impart to materials"

[pakeha]

Tu quoque. Nothing more, nothing less. But to be fair, you can't get much "less" than that.

Difficult, but I feel certain the author would be only to happy to give it a go.
And thanks, you've named 'tu quoque', which shall be my 'fl' of the fortnight.

[blobru]

To be honest, I suspect that Ken Ham feels nothing but content for 'papism'.


True enough (allowing for SezMe's correction, of course) ;) -- his blog, however, wherein he requests:

Please pray for the people of Japan—less than 0.1 percent are Christians—a nation [in need of] the gospel of Jesus Christ.


-- only distinguishes between Buddhism and Christianity in general, so I overlook the temporary schism between hamhock's church and the rest of Xtianity for the sake of the dumb joke brilliant commentary. :halo:

[Hokulele]

-- only distinguishes between Buddhism and Christianity in general, so I overlook the temporary schism between hamhock's church and the rest of Xtianity for the sake of the dumb joke brilliant commentary. :halo:


Someone might want to tell that idiot that Asakusa is not only a Buddhist template, but also a Shinto shrine. His "gods" are a Shinto lightning kami:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raijin

And a Buddhist Nio:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ni%C5%8D

(The image in this link is the same statue from Asakusa in his blog.)

The Wiki article is interesting in that they postulate a Greek origin for the Nio. That is something I hadn't heard before and I hesitate to comment on its accuracy.

[Foster Zygote]

"It was so sad to see people praying to the “god” behind the curtain—what a reminder they need the gospel to free them from the bondage of this false religion that gives them no hope for the future!"

What arrogance to assume that those who do not value the same ideas as yourself must be miserable and empty. This would be like me concluding that because my wife and son make me happy no one can be happy unless they love my wife and son.

[Simon39759]

Kind of a funny typo? Presumably you meant contempt?

Well.... yes.


And Ken Ham is a dick. Let's keep that in mind the next time he complains about PZ being rude and contemptuous (see, I am making progress in my spelling).

[fuelair]

I prefer Ken Ham on Rye. With Chipotle mustard.

[Moochie]

Kind of a funny typo? Presumably you meant contempt?


Yeah, and priapism.

To be honest, I suspect that Ken Ham feels nothing but contempt for 'priapism'


M.

[blobru]

Someone might want to tell that idiot that Asakusa is not only a Buddhist template, but also a Shinto shrine. His "gods" are a Shinto lightning kami:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raijin

And a Buddhist Nio:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ni%C5%8D

(The image in this link is the same statue from Asakusa in his blog.)

The Wiki article is interesting in that they postulate a Greek origin for the Nio. That is something I hadn't heard before and I hesitate to comment on its accuracy.

The one on the left is a kami, eh? Cool; nice catch. :)

Must say a lot about the lack of religious intolerance in Japan (and the Far East in general, I think) that two traditions can occupy one shrine (try finding a statue of the Virgin Mary in a Protestant church, or a King James Bible in a Catholic).

The belief, quoted earlier, that Japanese tea ceremony derives from communion, that's not widespread in Japan, is it? Ham's Japanese creationist pal, Michiko, says so, supposedly, and there were Xtians (Assyrian Church of the East) in China by the 7th century; Buddhist monks do bring tea back from China around 800 CE, so the timeframe at least is right; however, the ceremony seems unambiguously to have evolved [heh] from Lu Yu's The Classic of Tea, which owes zip to the eucharist (though it is pretty hilarious to think of tea and cookies as the blood and body of Buddha). :p

Anyway, curious whether her bizarre "communion --> tea ceremony" theory is her own creation [heh], or borrowed from some fringe Japanese history book.

[Hokulele]

Anyway, curious whether her bizarre "communion --> tea ceremony" theory is her own creation [heh], or borrowed from some fringe Japanese history book.


I doubt it is her own creation, but probably something she heard in her church. Japanese people are no more or less prone to believing silly things that support their worldview than anyone else.

One thing to keep in mind, some concepts in the Japanese language and culture do not translate perfectly into the English equivalents. The idiot Ham may be reading more into what he is being told through translation than what is actually there.

[blobru]

I doubt it is her own creation, but probably something she heard in her church. Japanese people are no more or less prone to believing silly things that support their worldview than anyone else.

Yup. Even as far-fetched a tie as communion to tea ceremony diffusion might be seized on by fans of the West, I suspect. In my brief experience, any 'immunity' to Western irrationality is limited to faith; historical woo that bolsters national mystique works just fine.

One thing to keep in mind, some concepts in the Japanese language and culture do not translate perfectly into the English equivalents. The idiot Ham may be reading more into what he is being told through translation than what is actually there.

"The idiot Ham" -- nice ring to it -- for truly, was ever adjective more fit for noun than idiot for Ham? Nay, better e'en than half-mad for Hamlet, who was but a little ham -- eh, Bacon?

:dqueen <-- :fg: poor ophelia's half-mad for hamlet, and michiko for ham? :rolleyes: g' nite, suite dunce

[Hokulele]

Something is certainly rotten. :D

[pakeha]

Someone might want to tell that idiot that Asakusa is not only a Buddhist template, but also a Shinto shrine. His "gods" are a Shinto lightning kami:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raijin

And a Buddhist Nio:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ni%C5%8D

(The image in this link is the same statue from Asakusa in his blog.)

The Wiki article is interesting in that they postulate a Greek origin for the Nio. That is something I hadn't heard before and I hesitate to comment on its accuracy.

Thanks for the links, Hokulele.
The Hellenistic connection with the Far East, both overland and by sea routes is one of those odd subjects that fascinate me.
'The Early Greek Explorers' in an old Penguin edition has an interesting section on the subject. I must get uptodate on the subject. Thanks for the inspiration, Hokulele.
And Gore Vidal's Creation is a worth-reading novel on East-West from the point of view of the Persian Ambassador to Pericles' Athens, for those who like fiction outside of the KJV.

[Simon39759]

Must say a lot about the lack of religious intolerance in Japan (and the Far East in general, I think) that two traditions can occupy one shrine (try finding a statue of the Virgin Mary in a Protestant church, or a King James Bible in a Catholic).

Not really.
Shinto was the native religion of Japan. Then, around the 6th century Budhism was introduced alongside a variety of aspect of Chinese culture. This influence grew steadily, especially in the ruling class until the Heian period. Many influent people adopted Budhism alongside the other aspects of this culture, however, nobility did not abandon the old way of Shinto, especially considering that it was what gave it political legitimacy.
The two religion blanded a little and were quite tolerant for a long time. They were the occasional tension, but limited.
However, later, when the West entered in contact with Japan and Christianity was introduced, it was quite violently repressed.
Then, they were the Meji era and, for a while, Japan flirted with its own version of facism, a version that promoted the traditional culture and repressed not only Christianity, but view Budhism with a suspicious eye.
Then, Japan was defeated and the doctrine of divine right for the emperor was eradicated and freedom of religion became the law.

But, no, while the levels of religious intolerance never reach the same hysteria than in Europe and the middle East, it was not totally absent from the landscape.

[blobru]

... But, no, while the levels of religious intolerance never reach the same hysteria than in Europe and the middle East, it was not totally absent from the landscape.


Good point, Simon. And fascism, with the perfect leader / divine Emperor at the top, is really just religion by another name, imo.

[Simon39759]

It's a cult of personality, and yes, the sharing of the word 'cult' is significant.
But still, there is not necessarily any element of supernatural in facism, which is, IMO, important in defining a Religion.
But, it does share some sociological and psychological niche.

[bignickel]

Wierd. Kens's pics look pretty much like the ones I took and put on my blog.

Not exactly the same, but close. I guess all visitors to Asakusa take pics of the same stuff.

[catbasket]

Intrigued that in "thanks for praying" the word 'praying' is a link ... I clicked. The prayer includes the phrase "fast once a month" ... clickety again.

Choose the day you want to fast on such as the 1st, the 14th ... you get the idea. We hope to have a number of prayer warriors fasting for AiG on a given day each month.

Fasting for AnswersInGenesis? What's that supposed to do?

[Simon39759]

Save on the food bill?

[Morrigan]

Despicable, but that's to be expected.

Still, I need to rant about something:


I took photographs of a couple of their “gods”—I notice they were not very powerful, as they couldn’t even get out past the netting wire that “protected” them!
...
It was so sad to see people praying to the “god” behind the curtain—


Why, why are anti-idolaters so mind-numbingly stupid about statues? Do they really think the worshippers of other religions pray to the actual statues and think the idols/statues themselves are gods, rather than simply representations of their deities? Is the concept of a "symbol" too complicated and goes way above their head, or what? How can they fail to see it's no different than wearing a crucifix, or praying in front of a statue of a saint or the Virgin Mary or even a statue of Jesus on the cross, and so on?

I know, know, cognitive dissonance and all that. But I'm still amazed. I don't know if this Ham douche wears a crucifix, but I'm sure he'd blurt out something like "b-but that's completely different!".

[Madalch]

Why, why are anti-idolaters so mind-numbingly stupid about statues? Do they really think the worshippers of other religions pray to the actual statues and think the idols/statues themselves are gods, rather than simply representations of their deities? Is the concept of a "symbol" too complicated and goes way above their head, or what?

I am sure there's no religious statuary in Ken Ham's neck of the woods that has netting around it to keep pigeons off, is there?

[blobru]

It's a cult of personality, and yes, the sharing of the word 'cult' is significant.
But still, there is not necessarily any element of supernatural in facism, which is, IMO, important in defining a Religion.
But, it does share some sociological and psychological niche.

Hey, Simon, a thread on defining religion (http://forums.randi.org/showthread.php?t=128776) from Nov '08 you might find interesting. I argue the supernatural element is the perfection of the political cult's leader, and that religion is a "syncretic onion"; others, especially the heretic Hokulele (no relation to the idiot Ham), beg to differ. :a2::c1:


Now, since AiG's partnered with Creation Research Japan, I'm wondering what other business ventures are in the works. Given their mutual commitment to accurate depictions of "dinosaurs", Toho Pictures seems a natural -- think of the possibilities: Mothra vs Leviathan, David vs Rodan, Samson and Ghidorah, and the inevitable showdown, Jesus Christ vs Godzilla... toss in a standard franchising deal... Ham may have struck the mother lode!

[Hokulele]

...Jesus Christ vs Godzilla...


I can't believe you missed the obvious matchup here.

[Apathia]

http://h1.ripway.com/Apathia/NanzoinTemple.jpg

This is Fudomyo, a Dharma Protector, at Nanzoin (a Shingon temple complex) in Sasaguri, Japan. Near Fukuoka in Kyushu.

I once saw an elderly Japanese woman with prayer beads bowing before this very statue. However her beads were not the ordinary jizu beads used by Japanese Buddhists. I did a double take when I saw a crucifix hanging from them.

It was a rosery!

I thought of asking her if she knew what she was using, but I shyed away from disturbing her devotion and prayers.
I told a number of Japanese friends about it, including the head priest of Nanzoin. They all said it was no big deal.

[blobru]

...Jesus Christ vs Godzilla...


I can't believe you missed the obvious matchup here.

:confused: Ummm...

Whore of Babylon vs Mechagodzilla?

John the Baptist vs the Smog Monster?

Matango, Fungus of Terror & Dogora, Giant Space Jellyfish vs Adam & Eve (managed by the subtil serpent) tagteam?

Oh, Baal's Balls! Jesus Christ vs Son of Godzilla. :mgduh (I try to block any childhood memory of the little beggar: almost as annoying as the other's smallfry).

[eccles]

I just had a quick look at the Ham Blog. Does Ham know the difference between Shinto and Buddhism? I don't know that much about Shinto, and I don't know how widespead Buddhism is in Japan. But Buddhists don't believe in any Gods. Buddhsm is an Ancestor Worship. Am I correct there? Buddhists have a more stupid belief than even Christians have - re-incarnation. Just as well Geo. Dubya Bush is not a Buddhist. The World could not withstand him being re-incarnated.



http://forums.randi.org/imagehosting/338944a84aa90d2878.png (http://forums.randi.org/vbimghost.php?do=displayimg&imgid=17227)

http://forums.randi.org/imagehosting/338944a927d97a44d4.png (http://forums.randi.org/vbimghost.php?do=displayimg&imgid=17396) Robert

[Hokulele]

I just had a quick look at the Ham Blog. Does Ham know the difference between Shinto and Buddhism?


Not a lot of people do. The Wikipedia article on Shinto is pretty good, and I can also recommend the book Shinto: The Kami Way by Sokyo Ono for an excellent overview. In a nutshell, Shinto is the indigenous religion that is roughly animistic (everything has a soul, and I do mean everything). Kami is most often translated as "god" or "deity", but it is a bit more complex than that.

I don't know that much about Shinto, and I don't know how widespead Buddhism is in Japan. But Buddhists don't believe in any Gods. Buddhsm is an Ancestor Worship. Am I correct there?


Buddhism is extremely widespread throughout Japan. Temples can be found in every city district and town. Regarding your comment on Buddhist beliefs, not quite. There are probably as many flavors of Buddhism as there are of Christianity. They range from the very personal and fairly atheistic (Zen/Chan) to the wildly theistic (Amida). Some require reincarnation (Amida), some do not (Nichiren/Shingon).

I would say that ancestor worship is much more prevalent in Shinto than in Buddhism, but respect for one's ancestors is pretty much a cultural tradition independent of religion.

[GreNME]

Not a lot of people do. The Wikipedia article on Shinto is pretty good, and I can also recommend the book Shinto: The Kami Way by Sokyo Ono for an excellent overview. In a nutshell, Shinto is the indigenous religion that is roughly animistic (everything has a soul, and I do mean everything).

SRSLY. Cannot be stressed enough. I found it to be quite confusing in my brief study.

Kami is most often translated as "god" or "deity", but it is a bit more complex than that.

A common theme amongst non-Western religious titles, which Western thinking often muddles up trying to translate.

There are probably as many flavors of Buddhism as there are of Christianity.

More so by a large degree, if I recall properly about the spread of Buddhism through the ages. Much like Christianity, though, there are "clumps" of similar flavors that can be fit together under the same taxonomy. Its mixture with Shinto in Japan provides for its own taxonomy, IMO.

[paximperium]

Not a lot of people do. The Wikipedia article on Shinto is pretty good, and I can also recommend the book Shinto: The Kami Way by Sokyo Ono for an excellent overview. In a nutshell, Shinto is the indigenous religion that is roughly animistic (everything has a soul, and I do mean everything). Kami is most often translated as "god" or "deity", but it is a bit more complex than that.

The animistic, ancestor worshiping version of Taoism among the Chinese is very similar to Shintoism as well. There are "gods" of hearth, house, roads, villages etc.

[eccles]

Thanks for the info, Now more work for me.

http://forums.randi.org/imagehosting/338944a84aa90d2878.png (http://forums.randi.org/vbimghost.php?do=displayimg&imgid=17227)

http://forums.randi.org/imagehosting/338944a927d97a44d4.png (http://forums.randi.org/vbimghost.php?do=displayimg&imgid=17396) Robert

[Hokulele]

A common theme amongst non-Western religious titles, which Western thinking often muddles up trying to translate.


A very good example that clears up some of the confusion (and probably adds a bit more) is the concept of kamikaze, generally translated as "divine wind". The origins of the term are pretty well described in this Wiki article.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mongol_invasions_of_Japan

One subtlety that is missed, even in the wiki article on the typhoons themselves, is that not only were the typhoons sent by the Shinto kami, the typhoons themselves were kami. I can't remember where I read it, but I recall a debate amongst the Shinto priesthood when scientists learned that there were planets orbiting other stars. The question that came up was whether or not all objects on each planet had/were their own kami, or if each system had/was a single kami that encompassed everything within the system (since we could only "see" the system as a single star).

I may very well be misremembering, as it was quite a while ago.

More so by a large degree, if I recall properly about the spread of Buddhism through the ages. Much like Christianity, though, there are "clumps" of similar flavors that can be fit together under the same taxonomy. Its mixture with Shinto in Japan provides for its own taxonomy, IMO.


Most likely. I was trying to think of a comparison that eccles might be familiar with.

The animistic, ancestor worshiping version of Taoism among the Chinese is very similar to Shintoism as well. There are "gods" of hearth, house, roads, villages etc.


Yes and no. Although rural Taoism is quite similar, court Taoism has more philosophy involved. Shinto is much more about ritual behavior and the duties of an individual to their family and their leaders (spiritual as well as political, which is what got them into deep doo-doo through WWII), and is in a sense similar to Confucianism with its ancestor worship and duties to family and state.

[UnrepentantSinner]

Someone might want to tell that idiot that Asakusa is not only a Buddhist template, but also a Shinto shrine. His "gods" are a Shinto lightning kami:

Is that like a meme or something else? :p

And I wonder if Herr Schenken will expain why, if humans are supposed to go ape poo poo without Jesus, how this can be true in Japan:
Please pray for the people of Japan—less than 0.1 percent are Christians—a nation where our relatives (Acts 17:26) need the gospel of Jesus Christ.
and yet it's one of the richest, cleanest, politest, least crime-ridden and simultaneously modern and traditional societies in the world.

[Hokulele]

Is that like a meme or something else? :p


D'oh! I use the word "template" a lot for work, so sometimes muscle memory takes over at the keyboard. There are a couple of other words that do that to me.

And I wonder if Herr Schenken will expain why, if humans are supposed to go ape poo poo without Jesus, how this can be true in Japan:

and yet it's one of the richest, cleanest, politest, least crime-ridden and simultaneously modern and traditional societies in the world.


Eh, Japan is also one of the most racist, misogynistic, snobbish, and disturbing-fetishist cultures as well. In other words, they are just people, and people can be angels or demons with or without the help of any religion. But yes, I do see your point, although I doubt the idiot Ham ever will.

[se7ensnakes]

I dont think that there is a single people that know anything about buddhism

[Apathia]

I dont think that there is a single people that know anything about buddhism

:wackyhuh:

[Rev.Rooster]

I dont think that there is a single people that know anything about buddhism

Koan!

[pakeha]

Hmm.
Perhaps it's off-topic, but Japan can actually claim to have a tomb of Jesus.
A fascintating article here:
http://www.thiaoouba.com/tomb.htm

Still,
It is interesting to note that historians still argue about the authenticity of this document.

There's a song as well.

[Hokulele]

Hmm.
Perhaps it's off-topic, but Japan can actually claim to have a tomb of Jesus.
A fascintating article here:
http://www.thiaoouba.com/tomb.htm




:sebaffled:

[pakeha]

Did you listen to the song?

[Hokulele]

Needs more samisen.

[blobru]

Joshua ya Joshua... (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BBNo0943qUA)

BBNo0943qUA
:eusa_angel: :butterfly :eusa_pray:

[calebprime]

I love how the Mothra song is sort of lyrical, peaceful, pensive, cheerful.

No hint of the carnage to come.

(now back to topic)

[blobru]

I love how the Mothra song is sort of lyrical, peaceful, pensive, cheerful.

No hint of the carnage to come.

(now back to topic)

topic?
:alligator

I've misplaced the link somewhere wouldn't ya know it, but according to Japan's top creationists, and backed by Ken Ham's impeccable research, the Mothra Song is derived from a Gregorian chant dedicated to the holy mother for Easter, which could explain its pensive, yet cheerful quality. Of course, in a misunderstanding typical of the Bonin Islanders and Buddhists in general, the song is rededicated to a giant moth, one of the most sacred symbols of Buddhism, and chronically frustrated because of its powerlessness compared to the almighty virgin. Moreover, Buddhism itself is based on an idea Christ had when he was off sick from school for two weeks with mumps (circa 15 AD), while Japan is based on freshman spring break in the land of Punt; no wait, that's Hawaii, Japan is based on studying for finals with a hangover.

[se7ensnakes]

I simply doubt that there is anyone in this forum that have any clue what Buddhism is. The amount of uneducated people regarding this topic is just outstanding.

[Hokulele]

I simply doubt that there is anyone in this forum that have any clue what Buddhism is. The amount of uneducated people regarding this topic is just outstanding.


QED.

[Apathia]

I simply doubt that there is anyone in this forum that have any clue what Buddhism is. The amount of uneducated people regarding this topic is just outstanding.

Thanks. That observation should kill any further discussion on the matter.

[TruthersLie]

I dont think that there is a single people that know anything about buddhism

[facepalm]

I love the ignorant and unwashed...

[ImaginalDisc]

I simply doubt that there is anyone in this forum that have any clue what Buddhism is. The amount of uneducated people regarding this topic is just outstanding.

May I join you under the bhodi tree to be enlightened?


P.S. If you had to look up "bhodi tree" to know what I was refering to, I suggest you come down off your high horse.

[eccles]

Hmm.
Perhaps it's off-topic, but Japan can actually claim to have a tomb of Jesus.
A fascintating article here:
http://www.thiaoouba.com/tomb.htm

Still,


There's a song as well.

That sounds like Mork from Ork (Mork and Mindy) Na-nu Na-nu. Robin Williams.


http://forums.randi.org/imagehosting/338944a84c296124e7.png (http://forums.randi.org/vbimghost.php?do=displayimg&imgid=17233)

http://forums.randi.org/imagehosting/338944a927d97a44d4.png (http://forums.randi.org/vbimghost.php?do=displayimg&imgid=17396) Robert

[HansMustermann]

Why, why are anti-idolaters so mind-numbingly stupid about statues? Do they really think the worshippers of other religions pray to the actual statues and think the idols/statues themselves are gods, rather than simply representations of their deities? Is the concept of a "symbol" too complicated and goes way above their head, or what? How can they fail to see it's no different than wearing a crucifix, or praying in front of a statue of a saint or the Virgin Mary or even a statue of Jesus on the cross, and so on?

I know, know, cognitive dissonance and all that. But I'm still amazed. I don't know if this Ham douche wears a crucifix, but I'm sure he'd blurt out something like "b-but that's completely different!".

Actually, at the risk of derailing it, it doesn't sound like cognitive dissonance to me. It sounds more like plain old deliberate mis-representation / deliberate playing obtuse, to me. Whether it's genuine stupidity, trolling, or just knowing that one's target audience is that retarded, I couldn't tell though.