In what ways? Spreading false information is not necessarily done so with purposeful intent and with the intent to deceive people. That describes more a lie, whereas Creationists are misinformed through poor understandings of science, rigid world views and filters they view the world through, their sub-culture tends to be very insular, and they do actually believe the things they say and claim.
"Not necessarily". Sure. Some creationists are innocent
enough in those regards, some are not.
Let s look at concepts like due diligence, and
negligence.
Both involve the a burden of care, the exercise
of reasonable care.
Is negligence deliberate? Certainly we have
"culpable negligence" to cover situations that
are. "Reckless disregard", etc.
Diligence involves reasonable steps taken by a
a person
Can any creationist of normal intelligence be said
to have taken reasonable care in establishing
his stance?
This can also be looked at as a matter of
intellectual honesty. I hold
that it is impossible to be an informed
creationist and be intellectually honest.
One who chooses a conclusion prior to
diligent consideration of facts is certainly
not being honest.
Those who avoid any information that does
not suit them are not being honest.
There are those, of course, who labour under
such handicap as to be blameless for their
mistakes. The rest have fewer excuses.
The reasons you give for people being creos is
accurate enough. It is an explanation, but it is
not an excuse, no more than if a person commits
some ritual murder as part of a cult requirement .
A dear friend grew up in rural Philippines, and
when I first met her, she was very naive in many ways.
She just accepted the noahs ark story etc, because
it is what she was told.
That did not last long, when she had a chance
to know better.
That is the difference between willful ignorance,
and intellectual honesty.
If it is the case that all creationists are under
a handicap of some sort, ranging from incapacity
to be reasonable / think rationally, through denial
of access to information etc, then I suppose they
are all blameless.
I dont think that is the case.