July 1, 2005
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ZOO – be-do-be-do
The
In defense of the vote that favored the exhibit, Mayor LaFortune stated that a zoo sculpture depicting the Hindu god Ganesha “opened the door” to equal representation of art depicting the Christian perspective.
If the door has been opened, let’s open it even wider.
In order to avoid offending anyone who has an opinion about how the earth was created, the new Christian display should probably be flanked by several others.
Perhaps there could be a display in which an animatronic bust of Tom Cruise speaks about how we are all actually descendants of an alien race. The bust would go on to declare that viewers were now entering an “antidepressant free zone.”
The Kansas School Board could erect a display with a sculpture of a crucified baboon, indicating that they had at last killed that pesky monkey from the Scopes Trial once and for all.
Finally, a carving depicting the Cherokee legend of a giant island hanging from the sky by four large ropes could be incorporated into a larger display containing a small casino and a smoke shop.
On second thought, some people might find those displays offensive.
The real question is one of intent and promotion. Is the purpose of the Ganesha sculpture to actually promote Hinduism? Not likely. Is the intent of the proposed creationism display to promote Christianity? Absolutely.
The zoo, by design, is an educational entity. It could be argued that the biblical display would exist solely for the purpose of educating visitors about the theory of creationism. According to Dan Hicks, who proposed the exhibit, quotations from the Bible will be part of the display. Commentary regarding the Genesis account would be an effort to educate. A lengthy Biblical quotation as the accompanying text is an obvious attempt to present the material as fact.
In order to consider the display educational there must also be a balanced look at all theories. Opening the door to the creationism display demands that the door be opened to displays depicting many other theories. While that could be interesting, it would be a daunting task at best.
While Board members simply want to clarify who would design the exhibit and what the content of the exhibit would be, perhaps they will come to understand that the zoo should not be in the business of promoting religion.
Comments (9)
I think it would be interesting to see the Rhema-ites and the First Baptisters fight over whose interpretation is more correct. Perhaps there could be a different display for every Christian denomination here in the buckle. How ’bout we just get rid of the animals and put all the religious leaders in cages?
Oh, come on now, Mark. Being a bit short-sighted, aren’t we?
Besides, it might be quite interesting to see how they’d handle the Big Bang Theory. Special effects! Woot!
Have a great 4th.
xoxoxo
Well sure, the Christian view must be displayed at the zoo, cuz Christians are so underepresented in this country. Especially in Tulsa.
I go to the zoo to see the animals, not learn about beliefs or religions. If I go to church, it would be to learn about beliefs & religions & I wouldn’t expect to see animals there….. enough said! Happy 4th weekend.
If the Christians truly want a representation of their religion at the zoo (and you have no idea how I am biting my tongue after that line), perhaps they should go for total accuracy, and depict all the animals dead and bleeding on altars, with incense burning. I don’t remember seeing them referenced in any other capacity in the Bible.
“If I go to church, it would be to learn about beliefs & religions & I wouldn’t expect to see animals there….. “
You’d be surprised…
LMAO at the Tom Cruise paragraph! (What a maroon!)
For some reason, I am really not surprised by this. You think at the bust of Tom Cruise they would frisk you to make sure you don’t have a prank microphone that squirts water…or worse…prescription drugs?
and yes…I can’t spell!