On 8/4/05 12:15 PM, Rebecca Fitzgerald's electrons arrived as:

> The statement below that "we are slowly edging towards becoming the
> Christian equivalent of the fundamentalist Muslim state" is really
> irresponsible - and I (and I'm sure many others) on this list are offended
> by it. We are not going to solve the evolution/ID/creationism issue in this
> forum. We are all somehow affiliated with museums, and it is up to the
> museums' boards of directors to determine how the issue plays out in our
> institutions. So, I suggest that future discussion of this topic be
> continued off list, unless there is actually a real query for the group that
> is somehow related to this topic.

I imagine there are a number of means by which a nation could transform from
one type of government into another, and no doubt there is always a period
during such transformation where the country could be described as having
"slowly edged" in a certain direction.  So, if the U.S were going to change
from being a secular democracy into some Christian fundamentalist-leaning
variation thereof, I have to wonder what that process might look like in its
early stages -- perhaps a leader whose legislative agenda appeases
fundamentalist voting blocs, who describes Christ as the "political
philosopher" he most admires, who holds regular Bible studies in the White
House, and whose actions intentionally or not empower religious zealots to
exert an increasing influence over the shape of governance at all social
levels.  

History provides countless examples to confirm the inherent fragility of
even the most seemingly secure forms of government, so I find Sasha's
speculation about the possible consequences of our nation's change under its
present administration to be, while certainly opinionated, not in any way
"irresponsible" or offensive.

What I do find disturbing is the implication that museum staff should look
to a board of directors for guidance on questions that fall simply and
clearly into the realm of scholarship.  This entire discussion of evolution
and intelligent design on museum-l is valid because it relates to how
curators, not boards, present the public with a clear and informed
understanding of science and evolution when that museum's exhibits engage
such content.  This, like any decision about history, research, and the
accuracy of information to be disseminated through the portal of a museum,
should rely on curatorial independence and expertise, not on the higher
governance apparatus of the institution.

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