Tag: creationism

Creationists on the Ballot

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The Sensuous Curmudgeon makes a tally of some of the more prominent creationists on the ballot for state elections the coming weeks.  You’ve got Joan Heffington who’s running against Sam Brownback in Kansas, for vote on August 3.  There’s Terry Hemple running for county school board in Florida, for vote on August 9.  It’s an interesting list to look at and consider, not only for where “GOP establishment” candidates are being challenged, but on what issues.  And here’s the point that a lot of folks are missing:  If we live in a society of religious freedom, it doesn’t really matter that a candidate believes in dinosaurs or “intelligent design” or eating hotdogs on Tuesdays.  What we can hope reporters and constituents are asking Joan and Terry and, of course Sam, is not what they believe but how — and if — they plan to respect what the rest of us choose to believe. Continue Reading →

Science, the State Religion

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Young-earth creationist and founder of Answers in Genesis, Ken Ham, is taking the Smithsonian’s Natural Museum of Natural History to task for their new Hall of Human Origins.  “The purpose of this exhibit on the origin of man,” he writes, “is not only to indoctrinate children and adults in evolution, but also atheism.”  Ham, who was behind the “high tech” Creation Museum in Ohio, is working up to an accusation of First Amendment violation:

Why won’t Potts and his researchers include that [the Bible’s account of human origins]? Well, they have arbitrarily defined science (which means “knowledge”) as having nothing to do with God. They will only allow explanations according to their view of naturalism, the religion of atheism.

And that, tax-paying citizens, amounts the Hall to government promotion of a state religion — atheism, a violation of the wall between church and state.  Could a lawsuit be in the Smithsonian’s future?

(h/t The Sensuous Curmudgeon) Continue Reading →