http://calsun.canoe.ca/News/World/2007/05/27/4211723-sun.html
Bible museum shines light on dinos
UPDATED: 2007-05-27 01:14:37 MST
By AP
PETERSBURG, Kentucky -- Adam and Eve fall from grace and Noah survives an epic flood at a new museum that tells the Bible's version of history on a theme-park scale.
But the scene near the front lobby might stop a puzzled paleontologist in his tracks: A pair of ancient children frolic just metres away from a group of friendly dinosaurs.
That exhibit, among others, has earned the Creation Museum notoriety among skeptics and anticipation from believers who are expected to pack its halls when it opens tomorrow.
"We wanted to show people there's no mystery with dinosaurs, we can explain them," said Ken Ham, founder of the nonprofit ministry Answers in Genesis that built the US$27-million facility near Cincinnati, which is near the Kentucky border.
Scientists say there is a gulf of millions of years between man and the giant lizards, but according to the Creation Museum, they lived in harmony just a few thousand years ago. It is part of the literal interpretation of the Bible adopted by Ham and other creationists.
"People are just fascinated by dinosaurs, but they've sort of become synonymous with millions of years and evolution," he said.
Evolution is derided at the 5,600-sq.-metre facility, packed with high-tech exhibits designed by an acclaimed theme-park artist, animatronic dinos and a huge wooden ark.
In this Old Testament version of history, dinosaurs appeared on the same day God created other land animals.
The museum also contains fossils, hung in large glass cases in a room visitors spill into after taking a tour of Old Testament history.
Ham said most fossils were created by the massive flood detailed in the book of Genesis and the stories of the Bible are supported by science, a notion that has drawn the ire of science educators.
"They make such a point of trying to make it appear scientific," said Lawrence Krauss, a physics professor, author and critic of the museum.
"Instead of shying away from those things that clearly disprove what they're trying to say, they use those things for deception."
http://www.wwaytv3.com/scientists_find_creationism_museums_worrisome/05/2007
Scientists find creationism museums worrisome
Submitted by WWAY on 29 May 2007 - 1:57pm.
READ MORE: News
Story body
It's one of a growing number of museums and even theme parks that cater to the some 35 percent of Americans who say the bible is literally true.
It's a trend most scientists find very worrisome. At the new creation museum they use big-budget, high-tech exhibits to depict a history of the planet that nearly every scientist rejects.
When asked what she hoped her children get out of visiting the museum, one mother said, "A tangible truth. Because this is the truth."
The creation museum aims to scientifically prove the biblical story of genesis. The earth is not millions of years old. It -- and all life on it -- were created by god about 6,000 years ago, with dinosaurs living next to Adam and Eve.
The vast majority of scientists find the creationist claims ridiculous.
Eugenie Scott said, "It's not funny, no. But to some degree one has to laugh to keep from crying."
The creation museum has its own experts, however, including Dr. Jason Lisle, an astro-physicist.
Dr. Lisle said, "Discoveries are always controversial. Truth isn't a democracy. Creation museums and theme parks are popping up all over."
Anthropology professor Terry Prewitt said, "It's OK to believe what you want to believe, all right. But I don't think it's OK to represent whatever one believes as science just because one believes that it's true and can justify it with the Bible."
Both sides say the stakes are high. Scientists say if children are convinced of this the US will lose its position of scientific leadership in the world.
At the creation museum, however, there are exhibits that argue that evolution has led to the erosion of faith, which has led to a moral breakdown and controversial issues like abortion and pornography.
_________________________________________________
It is interesting that, as we embark into the age of global warming, it is being neatly dovetailed by a wish for a return to the Dark Ages by some. Fitting. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I would guess that the majority of people who support this ludicrous Bible Museum are also skeptics of global warming. Just a hunch, of course. What is particularly ironic is that the conduct of those elements in the US would make any ayatollah proud. Perhaps even more ironic is that these very people would probably be put off by such a perceived affinity.
Bible museum shines light on dinos
UPDATED: 2007-05-27 01:14:37 MST
By AP
PETERSBURG, Kentucky -- Adam and Eve fall from grace and Noah survives an epic flood at a new museum that tells the Bible's version of history on a theme-park scale.
But the scene near the front lobby might stop a puzzled paleontologist in his tracks: A pair of ancient children frolic just metres away from a group of friendly dinosaurs.
That exhibit, among others, has earned the Creation Museum notoriety among skeptics and anticipation from believers who are expected to pack its halls when it opens tomorrow.
"We wanted to show people there's no mystery with dinosaurs, we can explain them," said Ken Ham, founder of the nonprofit ministry Answers in Genesis that built the US$27-million facility near Cincinnati, which is near the Kentucky border.
Scientists say there is a gulf of millions of years between man and the giant lizards, but according to the Creation Museum, they lived in harmony just a few thousand years ago. It is part of the literal interpretation of the Bible adopted by Ham and other creationists.
"People are just fascinated by dinosaurs, but they've sort of become synonymous with millions of years and evolution," he said.
Evolution is derided at the 5,600-sq.-metre facility, packed with high-tech exhibits designed by an acclaimed theme-park artist, animatronic dinos and a huge wooden ark.
In this Old Testament version of history, dinosaurs appeared on the same day God created other land animals.
The museum also contains fossils, hung in large glass cases in a room visitors spill into after taking a tour of Old Testament history.
Ham said most fossils were created by the massive flood detailed in the book of Genesis and the stories of the Bible are supported by science, a notion that has drawn the ire of science educators.
"They make such a point of trying to make it appear scientific," said Lawrence Krauss, a physics professor, author and critic of the museum.
"Instead of shying away from those things that clearly disprove what they're trying to say, they use those things for deception."
http://www.wwaytv3.com/scientists_find_creationism_museums_worrisome/05/2007
Scientists find creationism museums worrisome
Submitted by WWAY on 29 May 2007 - 1:57pm.
READ MORE: News
Story body
It's one of a growing number of museums and even theme parks that cater to the some 35 percent of Americans who say the bible is literally true.
It's a trend most scientists find very worrisome. At the new creation museum they use big-budget, high-tech exhibits to depict a history of the planet that nearly every scientist rejects.
When asked what she hoped her children get out of visiting the museum, one mother said, "A tangible truth. Because this is the truth."
The creation museum aims to scientifically prove the biblical story of genesis. The earth is not millions of years old. It -- and all life on it -- were created by god about 6,000 years ago, with dinosaurs living next to Adam and Eve.
The vast majority of scientists find the creationist claims ridiculous.
Eugenie Scott said, "It's not funny, no. But to some degree one has to laugh to keep from crying."
The creation museum has its own experts, however, including Dr. Jason Lisle, an astro-physicist.
Dr. Lisle said, "Discoveries are always controversial. Truth isn't a democracy. Creation museums and theme parks are popping up all over."
Anthropology professor Terry Prewitt said, "It's OK to believe what you want to believe, all right. But I don't think it's OK to represent whatever one believes as science just because one believes that it's true and can justify it with the Bible."
Both sides say the stakes are high. Scientists say if children are convinced of this the US will lose its position of scientific leadership in the world.
At the creation museum, however, there are exhibits that argue that evolution has led to the erosion of faith, which has led to a moral breakdown and controversial issues like abortion and pornography.
_________________________________________________
It is interesting that, as we embark into the age of global warming, it is being neatly dovetailed by a wish for a return to the Dark Ages by some. Fitting. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I would guess that the majority of people who support this ludicrous Bible Museum are also skeptics of global warming. Just a hunch, of course. What is particularly ironic is that the conduct of those elements in the US would make any ayatollah proud. Perhaps even more ironic is that these very people would probably be put off by such a perceived affinity.