Apparently, the Cincinnati Zoo‘s attempted partnership with The Creation Museum resulted in angry calls from zoo patrons regarding the unholy alliance. From the Cincinnati Enquirer:
The zoo pulled out of the deal Monday after receiving dozens of angry calls and e-mails about the partnership, which offered reduced prices to anyone who bought tickets to the zoo’s Festival of Lights and the museum’s Christmas celebration, Bethlehem’s Blessing.
Most of the protests echoed the same theme: the Creation Museum promotes a religious point of view that conflicts with the zoo’s scientific mission.
Some complained that the zoo, which receives public support through a tax levy, should not become involved with a private museum dedicated to the teachings of the Bible’s Book of Genesis. Others said a scientific institution shouldn’t link itself to a place that argues man once lived side by side with dinosaurs.
“They seem like diametrically opposed institutions,” said Dr. James Leach, a Cincinnati radiologist who e-mailed zoo officials about his concerns. “The Cincinnati Zoo is one of this city’s treasures. The Creation Museum is an international laughingstock.”
Zoo officials said they considered the promotion – dubbed “Two Great Attractions, One Great Deal” – a marketing deal no different than other cross-promotions they do with institutions like the Newport Aquarium or the Cincinnati Reds.
I don’t believe in The Creation Museum’s premise, but having not been to it, I am reluctant to judge its communal value. Still, I will admit that the pairing seems odd, and the museum probably stood to gain more from the partnership than the zoo did.
Score one point for secularism.
Full story: http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20081201/NEWS01/312010040
