Tulsa Zoo to feature creationism display

Hammock Parties · 06-09-2005, 01:38 PM

http://www.cnn.com/2005/US/06/08/zoo....ap/index.html

TULSA, Oklahoma (AP) -- The Tulsa Zoo will add a display featuring the biblical account of creation following complaints to a city board about other displays with religious significance, including a Hindu elephant statue.

The Tulsa Park and Recreation Board voted 3-1 on Tuesday in favor of a display depicting God's creation of the world in six days and his rest on the seventh, as told in Genesis, the first book of the Bible.

The vote came after more than two hours of public comment from a standing-room-only crowd.

Zoo employees, religious leaders and others spoke in opposition, saying religion shouldn't be part of the taxpayer-funded scientific institution.

But those who favored the creationist exhibit, including Mayor Bill LaFortune, argued that the zoo already displayed religious items, including the statue of the Hindu god, Ganesh, outside the elephant exhibit and a marble globe inscribed with an American Indian saying: "The earth is our mother. The sky is our father."

"I see this as a big victory," said Dan Hicks, the Tulsa resident who approached the zoo with the idea. "It's a matter of fairness. To not include the creationist view would be discrimination."

Hundreds of people signed a petition supporting the exhibit.

The new display will include a disclaimer that says it represents one view. City attorneys also advised it be placed alongside other cultures' views of creation.

Tulsa Zoo exhibit curator Kathleen Buck-Miser estimated it would take about six months to research and organize the exhibit. She expressed qualms about the zoo delving into theological debate.

"I'm afraid we are going in the wrong direction," she said.

Board member Dale McNamara, who voted against the proposal, agreed.

"I do not like the idea of scripture at the zoo," she said.

Zoo officials had argued that the zoo does not advocate religion and that displays like the elephant statue are meant to show the animal's image among cultures. The same exhibit includes the Republican Party's elephant symbol.

**Rain Man** · 06-09-2005, 01:45 PM

A memo was also distributed to all of the animals saying that evolution will no longer be tolerated.

Simplex3 · 06-09-2005, 01:46 PM

Freedom OF religion, not FROM.

Sort of like:

"Ass LIKE a ten year old boys, not OF Jacko."

Hammock Parties · 06-09-2005, 01:47 PM

WTF is wrong with me? Posting newsworthy threads....

**Donger** · 06-09-2005, 01:47 PM

Ooookkkklllaaahoma! Where God's Wrath comes sweepin' down the plains!

**Saulbadguy** · 06-09-2005, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rain Man

A memo was also distributed to all of the animals saying that evolution will no longer be tolerated.

**Donger** · 06-09-2005, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rain Man

A memo was also distributed to all of the animals saying that evolution will no longer be tolerated.

Animals can't read, silly.

Hammock Parties · 06-09-2005, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simplex3

Freedom OF religion, not FROM.

I guess I've been going beyond my rights these last few years...

Taco John · 06-09-2005, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Donger

Animals can't read, silly.

Not knowing the rules is no excuse...

jspchief · 06-09-2005, 01:50 PM

So are they going to add displays that include symbols of all the religions then?

The zoo should probably have just taken down the two existing symbols. If it's taxpayer funded, they should just avoid it all together, so the crazies can concentrate their efforts elsewhere.

**Saulbadguy** · 06-09-2005, 01:51 PM

Does this mean the zoo will be closed on Sunday? Dumbasses.

Hammock Parties · 06-09-2005, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Saulbadguy

Does this mean the zoo will be closed on Sunday? Dumbasses.

**Rain Man** · 06-09-2005, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Donger

Animals can't read, silly.

One of the gorillas was learning, but he's been told to stop.

KCFalcon59 · 06-09-2005, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Saulbadguy

Does this mean the zoo will be closed on Sunday? Dumbasses.

Just till the animal sacrifices are complete.

Brando · 06-09-2005, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gochiefs

WTF is wrong with me? Posting newsworthy threads....

I really wish that you would just stop posting. Especially trash like this

06-09-2005, 01:38 PM
Hammock Parties I'll be back. Join Date: Nov 2002 Casino cash: $4350478	Tulsa Zoo to feature creationism display http://www.cnn.com/2005/US/06/08/zoo....ap/index.html TULSA, Oklahoma (AP) -- The Tulsa Zoo will add a display featuring the biblical account of creation following complaints to a city board about other displays with religious significance, including a Hindu elephant statue. The Tulsa Park and Recreation Board voted 3-1 on Tuesday in favor of a display depicting God's creation of the world in six days and his rest on the seventh, as told in Genesis, the first book of the Bible. The vote came after more than two hours of public comment from a standing-room-only crowd. Zoo employees, religious leaders and others spoke in opposition, saying religion shouldn't be part of the taxpayer-funded scientific institution. But those who favored the creationist exhibit, including Mayor Bill LaFortune, argued that the zoo already displayed religious items, including the statue of the Hindu god, Ganesh, outside the elephant exhibit and a marble globe inscribed with an American Indian saying: "The earth is our mother. The sky is our father." "I see this as a big victory," said Dan Hicks, the Tulsa resident who approached the zoo with the idea. "It's a matter of fairness. To not include the creationist view would be discrimination." Hundreds of people signed a petition supporting the exhibit. The new display will include a disclaimer that says it represents one view. City attorneys also advised it be placed alongside other cultures' views of creation. Tulsa Zoo exhibit curator Kathleen Buck-Miser estimated it would take about six months to research and organize the exhibit. She expressed qualms about the zoo delving into theological debate. "I'm afraid we are going in the wrong direction," she said. Board member Dale McNamara, who voted against the proposal, agreed. "I do not like the idea of scripture at the zoo," she said. Zoo officials had argued that the zoo does not advocate religion and that displays like the elephant statue are meant to show the animal's image among cultures. The same exhibit includes the Republican Party's elephant symbol.
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06-09-2005, 01:45 PM	#2
Rain Man NFL's #1 Ermines Fan Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: My house Casino cash: $2958491 VARSITY	A memo was also distributed to all of the animals saying that evolution will no longer be tolerated. __________________ I'm putting random letters here as a celebration of free speech: xigrakgrah misorojeq rkemeseit.
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06-09-2005, 01:46 PM	#3
Simplex3 MVP Join Date: Sep 2003 Casino cash: $10004900	Freedom OF religion, not FROM. Sort of like: "Ass LIKE a ten year old boys, not OF Jacko."
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06-09-2005, 01:47 PM	#4
Hammock Parties I'll be back. Join Date: Nov 2002 Casino cash: $4350478	WTF is wrong with me? Posting newsworthy threads.... __________________ Chiefs game films
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06-09-2005, 01:47 PM	#5
Donger "Think BOOM!" Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: 33.675° N 106.475° W Casino cash: $10009900 VARSITY	Ooookkkklllaaahoma! Where God's Wrath comes sweepin' down the plains! __________________ I think the young people enjoy it when I "get down," verbally, don't you?
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06-09-2005, 01:50 PM	#10
jspchief BAMF Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Your Face Casino cash: $9998710	So are they going to add displays that include symbols of all the religions then? The zoo should probably have just taken down the two existing symbols. If it's taxpayer funded, they should just avoid it all together, so the crazies can concentrate their efforts elsewhere. __________________ Courage is not the absence of fear but rather the judgment that something is more important than fear. The brave may not live forever but the cautious do not live at all.
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06-09-2005, 01:51 PM	#11
Saulbadguy When a nightmare becomes real Join Date: Nov 2003 Casino cash: $2286966	Does this mean the zoo will be closed on Sunday? Dumbasses. __________________ http://www.goemaw.com
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