"Creationist-Themed Zoos?"
In a story recently released regarding a "Creationist-Themed" Zoo from www.boingboing.net, (originally from AP) "...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...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."
First off, let's address the simple fact that not all Christians are "Creationists", just nutballs like these guys. Most Christians are logical enough; and admit that evolution isn't as ridiculous an idea as the die-hard fundamentalists that apparently dominate the airwaves nowadays prattle on and on about. Secondly, I don't get how any "Christian" group can have a zoo that is "Creationist" by design. You see, if the Tigers, Elephants and Flamingos at the zoo looked as they did over ten-thousand years ago, the last thing any of these guys and gals for the ultimate lunch-maker would want to do is go anywhere near these animals. And last time I checked, Jesus wasn't a man shilling for the zoo-lobby in the first place. Was there a part in the Bible that I didn't read whilst being an Altar Boy that says, "And yea, Jesus stood before the enthralled throng of unwashed idolators and said, 'Bring me a three-toed Sloth, so that I may watch him engage in bestial congress'"? I didn't think so.
In America, we are encouraged to respect the religious beliefs of others, but there are times when we just have to say, "Whoa! Calm down there, Jethro... you have no right to speak for an entire religion! You can only speak for yourself." It seems that the harder we as a country try to get a little distance between us and our nutty, puritanical roots, the more the fringe-dwellers in the Christian Right push back. This country is largely Christian, yes... but not exclusively Christian. I was raised Christian, like many people are, but I don't for one minute think that my thoughts and beliefs should be forced on others, so when we have people like the the ones mentioned earlier who do think that this kind of stuff is okay, that's when I get pissed.
Besides the fact that Creationism isn't representative or symbolic of Christianity - since Creation-style stories exist in most religions - the whole idea of having Creationist themes in a zoo makes about as much sense as seeing a Chihuahua mount a Great Dane.
But as surely as this has happened, other groups - like the one in the article - will pop up insisting that they are being discriminated against when they haven't experienced religious discrimination at any point of their lives, being that they're from America. Look, for all you people out there that agree with the people that signed that petition, think of it this way: What if a Gay congregation decided that they grew tired of being kicked out of various churches all over country and approached the Governor stating that their rights are being trampled on all day long - which they are - and wish to have a pink triangle put on the state flag? And all it will take up is 10% of the flag. Would you do something about it, screaming about immorality and family values? Or would you realize that it is an immoral act to enslave innocent animals simply for the entertainment of slack-jawed hordes of idiots from all over; from the suburbs to the sticks?
I am always willing to offer a suggestion in these types of problems, so how about this: I will go to the zoo and air-brush a mural on the walls depicting the Creation according to Genesis. It will be dull to look at, but what other way would you rather spend your time in that most uncomfortable of places: The Public Restroom? After all, if you end up sitting on the john at a zoo, it probably feels like the fires of Hell are shooting out of your ass anyway, you might as well watch the beginning of the world to bring it all full circle. You wanted your theme, and there it is... congratulations.
Besides, if anything should be praised for the miracle of life, shouldn't it be Beer and sheep-skin condom companies from the 70's? Don't we all know how much those two things had to do with our being here? I thought so...
'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...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."
First off, let's address the simple fact that not all Christians are "Creationists", just nutballs like these guys. Most Christians are logical enough; and admit that evolution isn't as ridiculous an idea as the die-hard fundamentalists that apparently dominate the airwaves nowadays prattle on and on about. Secondly, I don't get how any "Christian" group can have a zoo that is "Creationist" by design. You see, if the Tigers, Elephants and Flamingos at the zoo looked as they did over ten-thousand years ago, the last thing any of these guys and gals for the ultimate lunch-maker would want to do is go anywhere near these animals. And last time I checked, Jesus wasn't a man shilling for the zoo-lobby in the first place. Was there a part in the Bible that I didn't read whilst being an Altar Boy that says, "And yea, Jesus stood before the enthralled throng of unwashed idolators and said, 'Bring me a three-toed Sloth, so that I may watch him engage in bestial congress'"? I didn't think so.
In America, we are encouraged to respect the religious beliefs of others, but there are times when we just have to say, "Whoa! Calm down there, Jethro... you have no right to speak for an entire religion! You can only speak for yourself." It seems that the harder we as a country try to get a little distance between us and our nutty, puritanical roots, the more the fringe-dwellers in the Christian Right push back. This country is largely Christian, yes... but not exclusively Christian. I was raised Christian, like many people are, but I don't for one minute think that my thoughts and beliefs should be forced on others, so when we have people like the the ones mentioned earlier who do think that this kind of stuff is okay, that's when I get pissed.
Besides the fact that Creationism isn't representative or symbolic of Christianity - since Creation-style stories exist in most religions - the whole idea of having Creationist themes in a zoo makes about as much sense as seeing a Chihuahua mount a Great Dane.
But as surely as this has happened, other groups - like the one in the article - will pop up insisting that they are being discriminated against when they haven't experienced religious discrimination at any point of their lives, being that they're from America. Look, for all you people out there that agree with the people that signed that petition, think of it this way: What if a Gay congregation decided that they grew tired of being kicked out of various churches all over country and approached the Governor stating that their rights are being trampled on all day long - which they are - and wish to have a pink triangle put on the state flag? And all it will take up is 10% of the flag. Would you do something about it, screaming about immorality and family values? Or would you realize that it is an immoral act to enslave innocent animals simply for the entertainment of slack-jawed hordes of idiots from all over; from the suburbs to the sticks?
I am always willing to offer a suggestion in these types of problems, so how about this: I will go to the zoo and air-brush a mural on the walls depicting the Creation according to Genesis. It will be dull to look at, but what other way would you rather spend your time in that most uncomfortable of places: The Public Restroom? After all, if you end up sitting on the john at a zoo, it probably feels like the fires of Hell are shooting out of your ass anyway, you might as well watch the beginning of the world to bring it all full circle. You wanted your theme, and there it is... congratulations.
Besides, if anything should be praised for the miracle of life, shouldn't it be Beer and sheep-skin condom companies from the 70's? Don't we all know how much those two things had to do with our being here? I thought so...
posted by Todd Tobin at 8:57 AM
1 Comments:
You know, I'm starting to wonder if I'm the only person reading the stuff I write. Look at how sad this is! I'm commenting on my own blog to myself! Ah well, it's better than having people say that I suck!
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