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The Business of Creationism

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The Business of Creationism The Business of Creatonism Many biologists like to believe that teacherdoesn't enjoy such a good income.2 What's next? One anti-evolution "scientific creationism" is restricted to CreationScience Ministries of Kentucky group has several hundred thousand a few publicity-seeking politicians and recently moved into new offices covering dollars to launch a new museum. That the usual group of ignore-the-evidence, 12,000 ft2 in Elsmere, Kentucky. These museum, which they hope to open by all-of-you-evolutionists-are-gonna-bum- new offices represent a 350% expansion 1999, will likely include pieces of Noah's in-hell zealots. Those folks are out there, (their previous offices covered only 3,400 ark, "hands-on science" kits that let to be sure. However, "creation scien- ft2). you prove that the Earth is only 6,000 tists" are becoming increasingly popular, In 1995, Creation Science Ministries of years old, models of dinosaurs (ridden even in mainstream America; groups Kentucky spent $453,000 to conduct sem- by humans?), and-you guessed it-sell Downloaded from http://online.ucpress.edu/abt/article-pdf/59/4/196/47998/4450283.pdf by guest on 02 October 2021 like "Creation Scientists of America"- inars that reachedmore than 120,000 peo- all sorts of T-shirts, trinkets, pamphlets, each proclaiming slogans such as "God, ple. These seminars are wildly popular. and other junk to finance their God-is- Not Darwin" and "Put Jesus Back in the Indeed, a recent seminar attracted about on-our-side work. Given the "believe Classroom"-are popping up every- 1800 people;a similar seminarfor students what we do or you'll go to hell" threats where. These groups, which are also drew about 1500 attendees. that typify such groups, I'm confident becoming increasingly powerful (both CreationScience Ministries of Kentucky that the museum will be profitable. politically and economically), have produces radio shows that reach hundreds What can a biology teacher do? I've transformed "creation science" into a of thousands of people. This year, the given up trying to debate or reason booming business. Consider, for exam- shows will be aired by 245 stations, includ- with "scientific creationists"; I know of ple, the Creation Science Ministries of ing 11 overseas. no arguments that can overcome igno- Kentucky, Incorporated, a typical cre- CreationScience Ministries of Kentucky rance, defiance of evidence, and their ationist organization:' mails tens of thousands of monthly "news- omnipotent "it's true because the Bible letters" and mail-ordercatalogs. You can tells me so" claim. However, biology In 1995, the mail-orderdivision of Creation buy all sorts of stuff to show that you reject teachers can speak up for enlighten- Science Ministries of Kentuckybrought in evolution. ment and free thought by proclaiming morethan $1,450,000 by selling books,video what we all know: namely, that evolu- tapes,magazines, and all sorts of otherstuff tion is what links all of life. Without In 1994, the presidentof CreationScience This anti-evolution corporation, like evolution, biology makes no sense. Ministries of Kentucky was paid $70,000, others, is growing remarkably fast. For example, Creation Science Ministries of plus benefits.Given the success of Creation Randy Moore ScienceMinistries of Kentucky, the president Kentucky has doubled its staff each got a 30% raise-to $91,000 (plus benefits) year; it now boasts more than 30 em- Editor in 1995. Too bad the average biology ployees and a fleet of vehicles. Direc- tors of many of these corporations are explicit about their educational goals; All material that appears in The The Creation Science Ministries of Ken- statements such as "You can teach cre- American Biology Teacher(includ- tucky, Incorporatedwas the original name ationism in public schools" and "Stu- ing editorials, letters, articles, of the corporation.In 1995, the corporation dents should read about Jesus, not Dar- etc....) reflects the views of the changed its name to Answers in Genesis. win" are common. With millions of author(s) and/or advertisers, Some of the data in this article are from dollars in their bank accounts, these federal tax returnsfiled by this corporation groups will continue to flex their polit- and does not necessarily reflect from 1993-95. ical muscles and, in doing so, try to the views of the National Asso- 2 In 1994, the general manager and spokes- person of Creation Science Ministries of impose their "scientific creationism" ciation of Biology Teachers. Kentuckywere each paid $48,000. nonsense on everyone. kYJ yS5 The Science & Technology of Communication NATIONAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY WEEK '97 National Science Foundation 196 THEAMERICAN BIOLOGY TEACHER, VOLUME 59, NO. 4, APRIL1997 .
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