Take a look at this article on the BBC website, “Who goes to a creationist museum?” It’s about the Creation Museum in Kentucky, and they interview four of its visitors, asking them why they came. All of them denigrate Darwinism, although one guy is willing to allow that “parts” of evolutionary theory are sensible (as are parts of creationism).
The article also quotes creationists as dismissing the fossil of Darwinius on the grounds that it’s just a lemur. (I don’t think that Ida tells us much about primate evolution, but the fact is that we are descended from common ancestors with other primates.)
Shouldn’t the BBC state, somewhere, that there is EVIDENCE for evolution, or at least quote one single scientist who thinks the creationist museum is a huge, expensive vehicle for telling lies? Or mention the many, many museums that show evidence for evolution? (Not one is mentioned.) In fact, this piece doesn’t even try to be objective: it just allows creationists and there adherents to present their misguided views without challenge.
I don’t think the BBC would provide such coverage — without counterargument from experts — if they were reviewing a museum devoted to Holocaust denial, which is of course another lie.
And while millions of people the world over will spend 2009 celebrating Charles Darwin’s memory – it’s 200 years since he was born and 150 years since his seminal work, the Origin of Species, which set out his theory of evolution, was published – many others will side with this museum’s theme: “life doesn’t evolve around Darwin”.
Does anybody know if the profits from this museum are subject to tax, or if Answers in Genesis is considered a church, and therefore tax free in the US?
Thanks to Anthony Grayling for calling this to my attention.
According to the BBB, yes, they are a charity for tax purposes 🙁
“This organization is tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. It is eligible to receive contributions deductible as charitable donations for federal income tax purposes.”
http://charityreports.bbb.org/public/Report.aspx?bureauID=0292&CharityID=8930
also on their site under donations:
https://www.answersingenesis.org/donate/onlinedonation.aspx#worldwide
“All gifts to Answers in Genesis, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law. Our policy is to apply all gifts given toward a specific program to that program. In the event we receive more contributions than can wisely be used toward a specific project, AiG will use these funds to meet other pressing needs that support the vision of Answers in Genesis.”
All ticket sales are taxed. Only donations made to the ministry are considered charity.