Creation Museum 1403364 225199961 2008-07-12T12:34:32Z 74.218.133.114 those were factual errors that were corrected. {{otheruses4|the museum in [[Kentucky]]|other creation museums|List of creationist museums}} {{coor title dms|39|05|10.5|N|84|47|00.5|W|type:landmark}} {{Infobox Museum | name = Creation Museum | image = CM Logo.png | imagesize = 200 | established = [[May 28]], [[2007]] | location = [[Petersburg, Boone County, Kentucky|Petersburg]], [[Kentucky]], [[United States]] | website = [http://creationmuseum.org creationmuseum.org] }} The '''Creation Museum''' is a 60,000 square foot [[museum]] in the [[United States]] designed to promote [[young Earth creationism]]. The museum presents an account of the origins of the universe, life, mankind, and man's early history according to a [[Biblical literalism|literal reading]] of the book of [[Genesis]]. Its exhibits reject evolution and assert that the Earth and all of its life forms were created [[Ussher chronology|6000 years ago]] over a six-day period, and that man and [[dinosaur]]s once coexisted.<ref name="NYT">[[Edward Rothstein]], "[http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/24/arts/24crea.html Adam and Eve in the Land of the Dinosaurs]", ''[[New York Times]]'', May 24, 2007.</ref><ref name=earthage>[http://www.livescience.com/strangenews/ap_050523_creation_museum.html Museum Claims Earth is 6,000 Years Old] [[Associated Press|AP]] [[Press release]], May 23, 2005</ref> These views [[Level of support for evolution#Scientific support|disagree]] with well in excess of 99.9% of the scientists in relevant fields.<ref name=nihrecord>[http://nihrecord.od.nih.gov/newsletters/2006/07_28_2006/story03.htm ''Finding the Evolution in Medicine''], Cynthia Delgado, [[National Institutes of Health|NIH]] Record, July 28, 2006.</ref><ref name="Newsweek_1987_Martz_McDaniel">As reported by [[Newsweek]]: "By one count there are some 700 [[scientist]]s (out of a total of 480,000 U.S. earth and life scientists) who give credence to [[creation science|creation-science]], the general theory that complex life forms did not evolve but appeared 'abruptly'," in "Keeping [[God]] out of the Classroom ([[Washington DC|Washington]] and bureau reports)", Larry Martz & Ann McDaniel, [[Newsweek]] CIX(26): 23-24, June 29, 1987, ISSN 0028-9604</ref> Also, the museum exhibits are at odds with the vast majority of scientists who accept that the Earth is approximately [[age of the Earth|4.5 billion years old]], and that the dinosaurs [[Cretaceous–Tertiary extinction event|became extinct]] 65.5 million years before [[human evolution|human beings arose]].<ref name=iapstatement> {{cite web|url=http://www.interacademies.net/Object.File/Master/6/150/Evolution%20statement.pdf |title=IAP STATEMENT ON THE TEACHING OF EVOLUTION |accessdate=2007-10-02 |format=PDF }}</ref> The museum has generated criticism by the scientific community, several groups of educators, [[Christian]] groups opposed to young Earth creationism, and in the general press.<ref name="Rutledge">Mike Rutledge. "[http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070526/NEWS01/305260017 Creation leader thanks critics]", ''[[The Cincinnati Enquirer]]'', May 26, 2007; ''Full article available [http://www.lists.opn.org/pipermail/org.opn.lists.skeptix/Week-of-Mon-20070521/003939.html here].</ref><ref name="Huntington">Doug Huntington, "[http://www.christianpost.com/article/20070427/27114_Protests_Planned_for_Grand_Opening_of_Creation_Museum.htm Protests Planned for Grand Opening of Creation Museum]", ''[[The Christian Post]]'', April 27, 2007.</ref><ref name="Neyman">[[Greg Neyman]], "[http://www.answersincreation.org/rebuttal/aig/daily/2007/20070330_creation_museum.htm Creation Museum Media Mania]," [[Answers in Creation]], March 30, 2007.</ref><ref name="Denver">"[http://www.thedenverchannel.com/travelgetaways/13390094/detail.html Creation Museum Set To Open Next Week]", [[Denver]]'s [[KMGH-TV]], May 25, 2007.</ref> The museum, which is said to have cost $27 million, is privately-funded through donations to the [[Christian apologetics|apologetics]] ministry [[Answers in Genesis]] and opened its doors to the public on [[May 28]], [[2007]].<ref>Lovan, Dylan T. (July. 31, 2006) [http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/14122311/ High-tech museum brings creationism to life: Biblical account is taken as scientific gospel at $25 million Creation Museum]</ref><ref name="FAQ">[http://www.answersingenesis.org/museum/faq.asp 10 most-asked questions about the future Creation Museum], [[Answers in Genesis]] website, Accessed May 26, 2007.</ref> Based on projections, the museum anticipated 250,000 paying visitors in its first year of operation.<ref>Richard Fausset, "[http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-creationist20may20,0,2126289.story A rather unusual species of museum]," [[Los Angeles Times]], May 20, 2007.</ref> According to AiG, within its first month attendance surpassed 100,000 visitors by July 21, 2007<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.usatoday.com/travel/news/2007-07-23-creation-museum-attendance_N.htm | title=Kentucky Creation Museum draws crowds along with controversy | publisher=[[USA Today]] |date= 2007-07-23 | first= | last= | accessdate =2007-07-24}}</ref> and 200,000 visitors on September 20, 2007.<ref>[http://blogs.answersingenesis.org/aroundtheworld/2007/09/21/another-milestone-at-the-creation-museum/ ''Another milestone at the Creation Museum''], [[Ken Ham]]'s Blog, [[Answers in Genesis]] website, September 21, 2007.</ref> Visitor attendance also exceeded first year expectations only 5 months and 5 days after opening, with a total of 250,000 visitors on November 2, 2007.<ref>[http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/AB/20071103/NEWS0103/711030409/ ''Creation Museum hits 250K visitors''], The Enquirer, Cincinnati, OH, November 3, 2007.</ref> == History == [[Image:AIG museum.jpg|thumb|left|Answers in Genesis' Creation Museum]] The museum was originally marketed as the '''Creation Museum and Family Discovery Center'''.<ref>See, e.g., [http://www.answersingenesis.org/docs2001/0507news.asp The new and improved Creation Museum Web site!], [[Answers in Genesis]] website, May 7, 2001.</ref> It opened in late Spring of 2007 as the "Creation Museum." The museum is located in [[Petersburg, Boone County, Kentucky|Petersburg, Kentucky]], near the [[Greater Cincinnati International Airport]] on 49 acres of land; the Answers in Genesis main offices are attached to the museum.<ref name="Slevin"/><ref name="Vindy">"[http://www.vindy.com/content/national_world/358296894445314.php Museum merges God, science]", ''Vindy.com'', [[The Vindicator]], [[Youngstown, Ohio]], [[copyright]] [[Associated Press]], May 26, 2007.</ref> The facility's stated mission is to "exalt Jesus Christ as Creator, Redeemer and Sustainer," to "equip Christians to better evangelize the lost," and to "challenge visitors to receive Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord."<ref>[http://www.creationmuseum.org/about Creation Museum: about us], Creation Museum official website, Accessed June 5, 2007.</ref> According to the founder of Answers in Genesis, [[Ken Ham]], "One of the main reasons we moved there was because we are within one hour's flight of 69 per cent of America's population."<ref name="Sheehan">[[Paul Sheehan (journalist)|Paul Sheehan]], "[http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2005/01/16/1105810774805.html Onward the new Christian soldier]", [[The Sydney Morning Herald]], [[Sydney, Australia]], Jan. 17, 2005.</ref> Ham also explains how the idea of the museum originated: "Australia's not really the place to build such a facility if you're going to reach the world. Really, America is."<ref>Kim Landers, "[http://www.abc.net.au/am/content/2007/s1936088.htm Museum promotes creationism]", AM, [[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]], May 29, 2007.</ref> Previously Ham worked for the [[Institute for Creation Research]], which runs a creationist museum in Santee, California, with free admission. [[Image:Creation Museum 5.png|thumb|right|A view of the portion of the museum that is outside]] The museum's official [[groundbreaking]] ceremony was [[March 17]], [[2001]], <ref>"[http://www.answersingenesis.org/docs2001/0319news.asp A groundbreaking event in the fight for Biblical authority!]", [[Answers in Genesis]] official website, Accessed May 26, 2007.</ref> but plans for the museum had been in the works since the mid-1990s. A significant reason for the time span between planning and execution related to zoning battles which saw the museum's original location turned down. The zoning issues continued to its present location, with the final legal victory for Answers in Genesis becoming official in March 2000.<ref>Mark Looy, "[http://www.answersingenesis.org/docs/4233news3-6-2000.asp Creation Museum going on the drawing boards!]", [[Answers in Genesis]] official website, Accessed May 26, 2007.</ref> For most of its time in construction, the cost of building the museum was set at $25 million. However, in response to studies and media reports that suggested an even larger number of visitors estimated annually than previously expected, the museum's cost increased to $27 million as expansion to the front of the building, the parking lot, and the cafe were incorporated. The [[Associated Press]] ran a [[Cincinnati Enquirer]] news report on April 11, 2007 that stated $27 million had been raised, although fundraising continued for additional expenses related to the opening. [[Mark Looy]], Chief Communications Officer for Answers in Genesis, said in the article that around 75% of the contributions averaged around $100 per gift.<ref>[http://news.nky.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/AB/20070411/NEWS0103/704110405 ''Creation Museum on track: $27M raised to finish center by May 28 opening, execs say''], Ryan Clark, [[The Cincinnati Enquirer]], April 11, 2007.</ref> However, one anonymous Cincinnati, Ohio family donated $1 million to the cause.<ref>"[http://blogs.answersingenesis.org/museum/2001/01/15/1-million-donation-to-creation-museum $1 million donation to Creation Museum!]". January 15, 2001.</ref> Two other families also gave donations in excess of $1 million.<ref name="Slevin"/> Answers in Genesis' success in raising donations for the museum was contrasted with the failure of the [[American Museum of Natural History]] to find corporate sponsorship for their exhibit on the life of [[Charles Darwin]]. According to the ''[[Daily Telegraph]]'', "American companies are anxious not to take sides in the heated debate between scientists and fundamentalist Christians over the theory of evolution."<ref>Nicholas Wapshott. "[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2005/11/20/wdarwin20.xml The Darwin exhibition frightening off corporate sponsors]." ''Daily Telegraph." November 19, 2005.</ref> The museum opened to the public on May 28, 2007, though about 5000 charter members received advanced tours in the days before that.<ref>Andy Mead. "[http://www.kentucky.com/news/state/story/79412.html Creation museum to draw believers, critics]". May 25, 2007.</ref> Among those getting an early preview was local [[United States Congress|congressman]] [[Geoff Davis]] and his family, who are supporters of the project.<ref name="Coexist">"[http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=176926 Dinosaurs, humans coexist in creationist museum]". Jan. 15, 2007.</ref> Ken Ham called the grand opening "not just a historic event in America, but a historic event in [[Christendom]]." In addition to elected officials at the county and state levels and representatives from the state and federal governments, over 130 credentialed reporters covered the ribbon-cutting ceremony on May 26.<ref>Ken Ham. "[http://blogs.answersingenesis.org/aroundtheworld/2007/05/26/creation-museum-officially-opens/ Creation Museum officially opens]". May 26, 2007.</ref> == Displays and exhibits == [[Image:Creation Museum 10.png|thumb|right|An exhibit showing humans alongside dinosaurs]] [[Kurt Wise]] was hired as scientific consultant for the project and played a major role in designing the exhibits, which are intended to be state-of-the-art, and include 52 professionally-made videos.<ref name=heaton>Timothy H. Heaton. "[http://www.ncseweb.org/resources/rncse_content/vol27/6017_a_visit_to_the_new_creation_m_12_30_1899.asp A Visito to the New Creation 'Museum']." ''Reports of the National Center for Science Education''. 27 (1-2): 21-24.</ref><ref name="NYT"/> In addition to large movie screens showing a young-Earth history of the world, the museum also features a 78-seat [[planetarium]] depicting [[creationist cosmologies]] and a 200-seat special-effects theater with seats that vibrate and jets that can spray the audience with mist.<ref name="Lovan"/><ref name="Denver"/> Many of the displays were designed by Patrick Marsh, who had formerly worked for [[Universal Studios]] designing attractions such as ''[[Jaws (ride)|Jaws]]'' and ''[[Universal Studios Backlot Tour#Staged Events|King Kong]]'' before becoming a [[born-again Christian]] and young Earth creationist.<ref name="Guardian">"[http://www.guardian.co.uk/religion/Story/0,,1946370,00.html So what's with all the dinosaurs?]". ''[[The Guardian]]''. Nov. 13, 2006</ref><ref name="NYT" /> Among its exhibits, the museum features life-size [[dinosaur]] models, over 80 of them [[Audio-Animatronics|animatronic]] (animated and motion-sensitive). Model [[dinosaur]]s are depicted in the [[Garden of Eden]], many of them side-by-side with human figures.<ref name="if_dino">[http://answersingenesis.org/museum/docs2005/0523dinosaurs.asp If dinosaurs could talk], Michael Matthews, [[Answers in Genesis]], Accessed May 26, 2007.</ref> In one exhibit, a model ''[[Triceratops]]'' is shown wearing a saddle and another, along with a ''[[Stegosaurus]]'', is shown aboard a scale model of [[Noah's Ark]].<ref name="Dayton">Jim DeBrosse. "[http://www.daytondailynews.com/l/content/oh/story/living/religion-faith/2007/05/26/ddn052607museuminside.html Creationist display creating controversy]". ''Dayton Daily News''. May 26, 2007.</ref><ref name="Rutledge"/> A major portion of the displays relates to the [[Great Flood]] as described in Genesis 6-9. The message is that the world prior to the flood was significantly and fundamentally different from the world we know today. The Flood is presented as literally real, a global catastrophe which fundamentally altered the landscape of the Earth, and was the event that produced most of the geologic features (fossils, sedimentary strata, canyons, continents) we observe today. The museum is also directly critical of evolutionary theory that links dinosaurs with the [[bird evolution|origins of birds]]. The second room of the creation museum for example displays a model prehistoric [[Utahraptor|raptor]], stating that the species was featherless and had no connection to birds; this is a reference to Genesis 1, which states that birds were created before the advent of land animals.<ref name="if_dino"/> Biologists and paleontologists, however, have long held the opposite (that today's birds are descended from certain dinosaurs) and point out that the recent discovery of a ''Velociraptor'' forearm bearing quill knobs, distinct structural parts of bones into which feathers are anchored, provides further evidence that the species did indeed have feathers.<ref name ="velo had feathers">{{cite news | first= | last= | coauthors= | title=Scientists Say Velociraptor Had Feathers | date=[[2007-09-20]] | publisher=[[America Online]] | url =http://news.aol.com/story/_a/scientists-say-velociraptor-had-feathers/n20070920140009990015 | work =Associated Press | pages = | accessdate = 2007-10-02 | language = }}</ref><ref>[http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/07/070727210215.htm Society Of Vertebrate Paleontology Speaks Out On Creation Museum], [[Science Daily]] (July 7, 2007) </ref><ref>[http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/09/070920145402.htm Velociraptor Had Feathers], [[Science Daily]] (September 20, 2007)</ref> Other rooms on the tour depict [[Old Testament]] prophets, [[Martin Luther]] stressing the importance of defending the faith at its point of attack, and a video presentation on the [[Scopes Trial|Scopes Monkey Trial]] of 1925. Some of the rooms on the tour show modern times and espouse the view that families and society are hurt by a world view which is not Biblically based. In one video, a male teenager is shown sitting at a computer looking at [[internet pornography]] and a female teenager speaks with [[Planned Parenthood]] about having an [[abortion]]; both acts are portrayed as the result of a world view which is not Biblically based. The belief that the Earth is "millions of years" old also derives from a non-Biblical starting point.<ref name="NYT"/><ref name="Baldwin">Tom Baldwin. "[http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/visual_arts/article1848419.ece Creationist museum brings dinosaurs on board Noah’s Ark]". ''Times Online''. May 28, 2007.</ref><ref>"[http://www.abcnews.go.com/GMA/story?id=3211737&page=1Creation Museum Unites Adam, Eve, Dinos]". ''ABC News''. May 25, 2007.</ref><ref name="Slack">Gordy Slack. "[http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2007/05/31/creation_museum/index.html Inside the Creation Museum]". [[Salon.com]]. May 31, 2007.</ref> The climax of the tour is the life of [[Jesus|Jesus Christ]], with a three screen depiction of the [[Death and resurrection of Jesus|crucifixion]].<ref name="Sheehan"/> The exhibits have been called "painstakingly detailed" and even critics have agreed that "Answers in Genesis has gone to great lengths to make their new museum a place that has quality displays".<ref name="Denver"/><ref>[[Greg Neyman]]. "[http://www.answersincreation.org/rebuttal/aig/daily/2007/20070417_half.htm More Museum Talk from Answers in Genesis]". April 17, 2007.</ref> The museum also includes a restaurant, outdoor walking trails, and a medieval-themed gift shop. === Workforce === The creation museum employs about 160 people with another 140 working at the attached Answers in Genesis headquarters.<ref name="Slevin"/><ref name="Vindy"/> To help the museum's mission to evangelize, a [[chaplain]] is on staff for visitors in need of spiritual guidance.<ref name="Coexist"/> Each permanent employee must sign a statement of faith indicating that he or she believes in young Earth creationism and the other teachings of Answers in Genesis. These include "Scripture teaches a recent origin for man and the whole creation", "the only legitimate marriage is the joining of one man and one woman", "the [[Noah’s Ark|great Flood of Genesis]] was an actual historic event" and "no apparent, perceived or claimed evidence in any field, including history and chronology, can be valid if it contradicts the Scriptural record."<ref>[http://www.answersingenesis.org/home/area/about/faith.asp Summary of the AiG Statement of Faith]. Accessed May 28, 2007.</ref> When applying for work a written statement of one's beliefs is required along with résumé and references.<ref name="Clark">Ryan Clark. "[http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070415/NEWS0103/704150358 Creation Museum touches lives]." ''The (Cincinnati) Enquirer''. April 15, 2007</ref><ref>[http://www.answersingenesis.org/home/area/jobs/employment.asp Jobs at Answers in Genesis]. Accessed May 28, 2007.</ref> == Controversy and criticism == [[Image:Creation Museum 9.png|thumb|right|A display suggesting that evidence from [[Mount St. Helens]] supports [[Young Earth creationism]]]] The Creation Museum has been the subject of controversy ever since it was proposed, because the exhibits are based on a [[young Earth creationist]] view of the origins of the universe and life. Local opposition caused the construction approval process to take several years. During construction Professor Lord [[Robert Winston]] visited the site of the museum during the filming of his documentary "[[The Story of God]]" and remarked, {{quotation| "I admit I was dismayed by what I saw at the Ken Ham museum. It was alarming to see so much time, money and effort being spent on making a mockery of hard won scientific knowledge. And the fact that it was being done with such obvious sincerity, somehow made it all the worse."<ref>[http://www.answersingenesis.org/docs2005/1221bbc_overview.asp ''The Story of God—an overview''], Paul Taylor, AiG–UK, [[Answers in Genesis]] website, 21 December 2005.</ref> }} Educators criticizing the museum include the [[National Center for Science Education]].<ref name="Lovan">Dylan T. Lovan. "[http://www.christianpost.com/article/20070520/27520_Educators_Criticize_Creation_Museum.htm Educators Criticize Creation Museum]." May 20, 2007.</ref> The NCSE collected over 800 signatures from scientists in the three states closest to the museum ([[Kentucky]], [[Indiana]], and [[Ohio]]) on the following statement: {{quotation| "We, the undersigned scientists at universities and colleges in Kentucky, Ohio, and Indiana, are concerned about scientifically inaccurate materials at the Answers in Genesis museum. Students who accept this material as scientifically valid are unlikely to succeed in science courses at the college level. These students will need remedial instruction in the nature of science, as well as in the specific areas of science misrepresented by Answers in Genesis."<ref name="NCSE">[http://www.ncseweb.org/resources/news/2007/KY/563_reactions_to_creation_museum_5_25_2007.asp Reactions to creation "museum"]. Accessed May 26, 2007.</ref> }} NCSE director [[Eugenie Scott]] characterized the Creation Museum as "the [[Creationism|creationist]] [[Disneyland]]."<ref name="Slevin">Peter Slevin. "[http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/05/26/AR2007052600908.html A monument to creation]." May 27, 2007.</ref> The ''[[The Guardian|Guardian]]'' called the facility "quite possibly ... one of the weirdest museums in the world."<ref name="Guardian"/> Physicist [[Lawrence Krauss]] has called on media, educators, and government officials to shun the museum and says that its view is based on falsehoods.<ref>[[Lawrence Krauss]]. "[http://www.newscientist.com/channel/opinion/mg19426054.700-the-creationist-museum-of-misinformation.html The creationist museum of misinformation]". ''NewScientist.com''. May 23, 2007.</ref> Krauss said that the facility is "as much a disservice to religion as it is to science."<ref>"[http://www.dispatch.com/dispatch/content/editorials/stories/2007/05/27/create.ART_ART_05-27-07_G4_OQ6Q9L4.html? Misinformation museum]". ''Columbus Dispatch''. May 27, 2007.</ref> [[Image:Creation Museum 7.png|thumb|left|A depiction of the [[Garden of Eden]]]] In the introduction to a [[Good Morning America]] report on the museum shown Friday, May 25, an [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] news poll was cited, indicating that despite educators' criticisms, a majority of the American public would agree with the Creation Museum. In the poll, it was stated that 60% of Americans believe that "God created the world in six days."<ref>[http://www.abc.net.au/news/indepth/featureitems/s1936022.htm ''And God created... dinosaurs''], Kim Landers, [[Australian Broadcasting Company]] News, May 29, 2007.</ref> In a March 2007 ''[[Newsweek]]'' poll conducted by [[Princeton Survey Research Associates International]], 48% of respondents agreed with the statement "God created humans pretty much in the present form at one time within the last 10,000 years or so."<ref>[http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17875540/site/newsweek/ Newsweek Poll]. Accessed May 27, 2007.</ref> The museum has also been criticized by Christians who are not young Earth creationists. Notable among them is geologist [[Greg Neyman]] of [[Answers in Creation]], an [[old earth creationism]] ministry. Neyman released a press kit dealing with the museum's grand opening in which he said: {{quotation| "Those who will benefit least from the museum are the non-Christians, who are firmly grounded in their belief through modern science that the Earth is billions of years old. They will see the museum, and recognize its faulty science, and will be turned away from the church. This will increase the already widening gap between the unchurched and the churched. This gap is the direct result of young Earth creationism."<ref name="Neyman"> [http://www.answersincreation.org/rebuttal/aig/daily/2007/20070330_creation_museum.htm ''Creation Museum Media Mania''], Greg Neyman, March 30, 2007.</ref> }} Neyman adds that "today, the church is comprised of many individuals who accept an old Earth" and "is already moving away from young Earth creationism."<ref name="Neyman"/> The Rev. Mendle Adams, pastor of St. Peter's [[United Church of Christ]] in [[Cincinnati, Ohio]], joined others, both secularists and Christians, at protests at the museum's opening. He said "my brothers and sisters in the faith who embrace [the creationist] understanding call into question the whole Christian concept" and "make us a [[Laughing stock|laughingstock]]."<ref name="Huntington">Doug Huntington. "[http://www.christianpost.com/article/20070427/27114_Protests_Planned_for_Grand_Opening_of_Creation_Museum.htm Protests Planned for Grand Opening of Creation Museum]". ''The Christian Post''. April 27, 2007.</ref> [[Roman Catholic Church|Roman Catholic]] theologian [[John Haught]] sees little merit in the museum, saying it will cause an "impoverishment" of religion. He concluded "It's hard for me to come up with a single reason why we should be doing this. ... It's theologically problematic to me, as well as scientifically problematic."<ref>Adelle M. Banks. "[http://www.beliefnet.com/story/219/story_21922_1.html New Museum Says Creation, Science Go Hand-in-Hand]". Accessed June 1, 2007.</ref> [[Michael Patrick Leahy]], editor of the magazine [[Christian Faith and Reason]], says that by replacing the scientific method with [[biblical literalism]], the museum undermines the credibility of all Christians and makes it easy to represent Christians as irrational.<ref>[http://www.christianfaithandreason.com/june_fredandwilma.html ''The Trouble with Fred and Wilma: Why the Creation Museum is Bad for Christians''], Michael Patrick Leahy, Christian Faith and Reason, May 24,2007.</ref> [[Image:Creation Museum 6.png|thumb|right|A piece of a [[Torah]] scroll from [[Iraq]].]] [[Edwin Kagin]], Kentucky State Director for [[American Atheists]], organized a “Rally for Reason” outside the gates of the Creation Museum its opening day, May 28, 2007. Kagin, a long time activist against creationism, was joined in this effort by the organization known as the "[[Campaign to Defend the Constitution]]" and many other groups and individuals according to the organizer's website[http://www.rallyforreason.com/]. Depending on the media source, it was reported that anywhere from 50 to 200 people attended the rally.<ref>Barbara Bradley Hagerty. "[http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=10498875 Creation Museum Pits the Bible Against Evolution]". ''[[National Public Radio|NPR]]'', May 28, 2007.</ref><ref>Peggy Kreimer."[http://news.cincypost.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070529/NEWS01/705290355 AIG museum debuts-First day draws 4,000, protesters]". ''[[Cincinnati Post]]'', May 29, 2007.</ref> The demonstrators displayed protest signs, an airplane trailing a banner flew overhead and speeches were made.<ref>[http://www.rallyforreason.com/ Rally for Reason website]</ref> As reported by Deb Silverman of [[WCPO-TV|WCPO]], "There was a long wait to be one of the first inside the Creation Museum but you couldn't get inside the $27 million building created by the group called 'Answers in Genesis Creation' [sic] without passing by a long line of protesters."<ref>[http://www.wcpo.com/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=a8050b0f-0a2c-444a-8220-6a5b2c871c24 ''New Museum Draws Hundreds With Different Views On Creationism''], Deb Silverman, [[WCPO-TV|WCPO]], May 28, 2007.</ref> In July 2007, the [[University of California, Davis|UC Davis]] science radio show [[This Week in Science]] published a website parodying the Creation Museum. Based on Christian belief in literal biblical truth<ref>[http://www.clarifyingchristianity.com/b_proof.shtml ''How Do You Know The Bible Is True?''], Clarifying Christianity website, retrieved August 8, 2007.</ref>, the ''[[Unicorn museum|Unicorn Museum]]''<ref>[http://www.unicornmuseum.org ''The Unicorn Museum''] website, retrieved August 8, 2007.</ref> presents a case for Christian belief in [[unicorn]]s. While obviously intended to be humorous, the idea is nonetheless supported by the [[King James Bible|King James Version]] of the Bible, mentioning the fantasy beasts a total of nine times, though recent scholarship notes that this is not the most accurate rendering.<ref>[http://www.dtl.org/versions/article/unicorns.htm ''Unicorns and the KJV''], Rick Norris, November 8, 1998, ''retrieved August 8, 2007''.</ref><ref>Hartley, John E. "The New International Commentary on the Old Testament: The Book of Job" Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1988. p.507.</ref> In August 2007, the Northern Kentucky Convention & Visitors Bureau was criticized by scientists for describing the Creation Museum as a "'walk through history' museum" that "will counter evolutionary natural history museums that turn countless minds against Christ and Scripture". [[Daniel Phelps]], the president of Kentucky Paleontological Society said that as a tax-supported institution, the use of the language was particularly problematic since many religious people accept evolution. The Bureau initially defended its use of the language saying that they used whatever language was supplied by each attraction, but then decided to change the description. <ref> {{cite news |author=Mike Rutledge|coauthors= |title= Bureau changes museum description(The Cincinnati Enquirer) |url=http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070901/NEWS01/709010361 |date=2007-09-01 |accessdate=2007-09-01}}</ref> On his visit to the museum, Phelps noted that several of the dinosaur reconstructions were poorly reconstructed or outdated in depiction. A ''[[Tyrannosaurus]]'' outside the museum grounds for example, is shown standing in an outdated tail dragging "tripod" stance, an ''[[Iguanodon]]'' is shown bearing a skin texture completely different from what is known from fossilised skin impressions of the species and a ''[[Utahraptor]]'' is shown to be without feathers, despite recent discoveries of the opposite<ref name="PHELPS">{{cite web | url = http://www.ncseweb.org/resources/articles/1411_the_antimuseum_an_overview_a_7_6_2007.asp | title =The Anti-Museum: An overview and review of the Answers in Genesis Creation Museum | work = Daniel Phelps | publisher = National Center for Science Education | accessdate = 2007-10-23}}</ref>, as well as sporting anatomically incorrect forearms.<ref name=paul2002>{{cite_book |last=Paul |first=Gregory S. |authorlink=Gregory S. Paul |year=2002 |title=Dinosaurs of the Air: The Evolution and Loss of Flight in Dinosaurs and Birds |location=[[Baltimore]] |publisher=[[Johns Hopkins University Press]] |pages=472pp |isbn=978-0801867637}}</ref> Phelps also leveled criticism at the reconstructions of [[Mesozoic]] flora, one example being a [[cycad]] plant reconstructed as little more than a giant pineapple.<ref name="PHELPS" /> The museum has also been accused of using 19th century human evolution theories, since refuted, to promote the idea that different human races came from Noah's descendants dispersing after the Confusion of Tongues at the [[Tower of Babel]].<ref name="PHELPS" /> ==Promotion== Ken Ham promoted the museum in the hope that people from all over the United States and the world would visit the museum. Groups from churches and Christian schools are also anticipated.<ref>Doug Huntington. "[http://www.christianpost.com/article/20070529/27670_Creation_Museum_Founder_Thanks_Protesters,_Critics.htm Creation Museum Founder Thanks Protesters, Critics]". ''Christian Post''. May 29, 2007.</ref> During the week the museum opened Answers in Genesis began running a 30-second television commercial promoting the museum in six metropolitan areas, [[Cincinnati, Ohio|Cincinnati]], [[Indianapolis, Indiana|Indianapolis]], [[Columbus, Ohio|Columbus]], [[Dayton, Ohio|Dayton]], [[Lexington, Kentucky|Lexington]], and [[Louisville, Kentucky|Louisville]].<ref>"[http://blogs.answersingenesis.org/museum/2007/05/30/commercials-hit-the-airwaves Commercials Hit the Airwaves]". May 30, 2007.</ref> Ham has said the museum is not attempting to attract groups from [[public school]]s, saying "I suspect by intimidation and threats of lawsuits, I doubt whether public school students, as an official tour, would come."<ref name="Lovan"/> Steve Rissing, a biologist and board member of Ohio Citizens for Science, said that a lawsuit over [[separation of church and state]] would be likely if public schools send students to the museum using public tax money.<ref name="Dayton"/> == See also == {{Commons}} * [[Creation-evolution controversy]] * [[Creationist perspectives on dinosaurs]] {{-}} == References == {{reflist|2}} == External links == ===Pro-Museum === * [http://creationmuseum.org Creation Museum official site] * [http://www.answersingenesis.org/museum/walkthrough/ Walk through the museum] * [http://answersingenesis.org Answers in Genesis Official site] * [http://youtube.com/watch?v=Wzjjxi7f0Oc News report on the Creation Museum] === Critical === * [http://www.answersincreation.org/press.htm Press kit critical of the museum] from [[Answers in Creation]], a Christian site disputing young Earth creationism * [http://www.ncseweb.org/resources/news/2007/KY/563_reactions_to_creation_museum_5_25_2007.asp Reactions to creation "museum"] from [[National Center for Science Education]] * [http://scienceblogs.com/pharyngula/2007/05/the_creation_museum.php Pharyngula: The Creation Museum], a compilation of blog reactions to the museum *[http://scalzi.com/whatever/?p=121 Writer [[John Scalzi]] is paid $5000 to visit the museum]. 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