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In case you’re curious, the Creation Museum, located just south of Cincinnati, Ohio, is a thriving venture that is fostering an era of ignorant, superficial Christianity. What it lacks in truth it attempts to overcompensate with iconic symbols that anyone will recognize and hopefully buy into (like dinosaurs, for instance). In fact, it seems to be one the ultimate goals of the Museum: to gloss over the contemplative analysis that close study requires in favor of assuming visitors will take for granted the truth in every display.
Rather than provide a historical presentation of Creationism that one can appreciate as a belief, the Museum operates under the assumption that it’s elementary exhibits will transform visitors into believers. Despite the fact that they warn on their tickets “Prepare to Believe,” I was struck by how the museum neither helped me to further understand Creationism as a valid concept nor did it ignite in me some combustible flame of belief; in fact, I would wager that the reliance on stereotypical displays pushed me further into my established beliefs and did nothing to broaden my understanding of Christianity or Creationism. Because, let’s face it, the Creation Museum is a religious attraction that attempts wholeheartedly to redefine science to suit The Bible, rather that suit research to define science.
Perhaps I hold museums with the highest possible expectations, for I feel that they are supposed to be the conduits of information; not only are they responsible for collecting information, but I expect in their exhibits elements of coherent synthesis and analysis. Clearly, the Creation Museum is a biased institution dedicated to the resuscitation of believers. But their sharp disregard for the basic tenets of scientific inquiry discredits their message. And while it can be expected that they would be critical of evolution, can we honestly find every answer of science in The Bible? Perhaps I am religiously ignorant, but to completely throw out the notion that “I think, therefore I am” troubles me. And perhaps the existence of such a museum should trouble more people, too.
Despite the fact that the exhibits are, on the surface, accepting of other mankind belief-systems and the diversity on earth, it’s hard not to feel some sense of subliminal messaging in explicitly defining marriage and unnecessarily calling-out abortion (what do either have to do with creationism?). While we can sit complacently with the notion that it is just one museum, let us remember that ignorance starts at an early age. I can’t recall just how many kids were in attendance, but the numbers were staggering. These are the people that will be lobbying against family planning, evolution, lgbt rights, and overall digging us deeper into the culture war. And while I would not stop anyone from the free exercise of their religion, seeing a museum dedicated to religious dogma only furthers the need to continue cultural advocacy.
I want the truth, even if that means contradicting religion.
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by GarrettMize
by AFY_Samantha
by AFY_Samantha
by AFY_Samantha
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