--FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE--

Creationist Pseudo-Museum Displays
to Mislead Students

Citizens Stress Faith and Science can Coexist; Teachers, Organizations Highlight Dangers of Setting Religion and Science against each other

Scientists Dismayed over Irresponsible Attempt to Use Pseudo-Science to Win Converts

May 22, 2007

Scientists today expressed concern that The Answers in Genesis Creationism displays opening this weekend near Cincinnati, Ohio will be used to mislead students about the nature of science, and also about the compatibility of science and religion.

Mr. Ken Ham and his supporters have constructed a series of exhibits that attest to their strong religious faith. Building and operating this institution is a testament to the power of that faith, but it also makes it abundantly clear how far removed these exhibits are from current scientific knowledge and practice.

"This is yet another in a long line of creationist pseudo-museums," said Richard Hoppe, CEO of Intelli-Trade, a venture firm that uses evolutionary algorithms to guide investments. He added, "They use lies about science in an attempt to convert people to their particular, narrow view of God. This one may have cost $20 million, but these pseudo-museums all make the same bogus claims creationists have made since before the Scopes monkey trial. Though that doesn't make it any less confusing for today's kids."

Ohio Citizens for Science stressed that people should have a place to celebrate their faith and religious beliefs, and not just in churches. "We celebrate our right as Americans to do so," said OCS' Steve Rissing. He continued, "What Mr Ham, however, shows us clearly the link between the radical religious right interpretation of Scripture of *some* people and the approach to nature known as "creationism," "creation science," "scientific creationism," and --- most recently --- "intelligent design" creationism. This peculiarly narrow way of looking at Scripture leads to the equally peculiar conclusions at which Mr Ham's museum arrives."

Scientists in all the relevant fields of inquiry agree that the view presented at the AiG "museum" is NOT scientific.

Visitors to the institution will see an interpretation of nature through a lens unique to a single, very specific religious opinion. The very thing they will see there --- a history of life and a view of nature that is inextricably tied to one particular interpretation of biblical Scripture --- will demonstrate clearly that this view is religious and not scientific.

The particular creation narrative represented in the AiG exhibits cannot be uncoupled from that belief. It is not subject to standards of scientific analysis and proof, and so --- unlike scientific ideas --- can never be proved wrong. The nature of science, on the other hand, is that every idea is open to critique and analysis, and can ONLY be proved wrong.

"While OCS celebrates the rights of all citizens to believe and practice any religious faith that they wish, we also clearly oppose any scheme to present ideas that are strictly religious yet masquerade as scientific in any medium, curriculum, or public policy," said Patricia Princehouse, director of OCS.

OCS encourages citizens to insist that the science curriculum in their public schools be built on scientific foundations only, and not be distorted by the beliefs of any particular body within any particular religious tradition. Referring to the recent defeat of "intelligent-design" creationism in a Pensylvania courtroom that cost Dover, PA taxpayers over $1 million, Hoppe said, "AiG has set a Dover trap for public schools who might be tempted to acquiesce to creationist parents' demands for field trips."

"It's unfair to kids to lie to them about science," added Princehouse.

Contacts:

Patricia Princehouse 440-478-5292
Steve Rissing 614-688-4989
Richard Hoppe 740-393-7033