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)
1 comment
J. Calvin says:
Jul 28, 2010
Anyone can file a lawsuit for just about anything. It is a different matter to win a law suit.
Being an atheist implies a complete lack of religious intent (note the word is not even capitalized whereas all religions are capitalized) and is the total denial of a God.
To even call it a philosophy is a stretch. It seems more to be a lack of philosophy. Certainly a lack of religious philosophy.
To be a religion it would have to meet at least two criteria: one, it would have to involve service and worship of God, and two, it would have to have an organized system of faith and worship. Atheism has neither.
Following Mr. Hams logic, the word “indoctrination” and the word education would have to be interchangeable. This does not seem to be compatible with logic since they are two very different things.
Also, to agree with Mr. Ham, one would have to agree that to acquire a knowledge of, or even be “indoctrinated” by, a presentation of the theory of evolution results in one becoming an atheist. One does not necessarily follow the other. Some people, who are Christians, believe in evolution. They just see evolution as a tool initiated by God to affect a natural creation.
Most Christians have heard it and don’t believe it because it conflicts with the Bible. Ken Ham has heard it and he doesn’t believe it! Does he see himself as so much more intelligent than the rest of us?
I doubt the Smithsonian Museum curators will break out in a cold sweat over Mr. Hams threat of a lawsuit. Any lawyer who would undertake such a suit would seem either a
charlatan or a fool. Probably not on the list of highly successful barristers who’s waiting room is clogged with hopeful client.