In a message dated 00-03-15 14:39:37 EST, Ross Weeks, Jr. wrote:

<< Time to change topics.  What about Dr. Laura's views on sexuality?  That's
a
 spark for a whole new dialogue on the Old Testament vs. science. >>

At the risk of starting something myself, I want to say how grateful I am for
the restraint of Museum-Lers in that no one has thus far picked up the bait
on this!  I think such a discussion would be inappropriate for a list devoted
to museum issues.  Dr. Laura's views on sexuality concern issues of ethics
and morality.  Although there are issues of ethics and morality implicit in
science--and science clearly has an impact on ethical issues--I think it's
generally a mistake to cast religion and science as adversaries.  The
evolution-creationism debate was a valid discussion for this forum because it
stemmed from creationists' objections to the presentation of evidence for
evolution in museum exhibits.  I think the chief objection to the creationist
view is that the Old Testament was never intended as a science textbook, and
religious non-creationists would argue that there is no fundamental conflict
between religion and science.

On the other hand, museum exhibitions on either sexuality or religion (or a
third possibility, combining the two) could provoke controversy and would be
interesting and valid topics for this list.  Since museum-type exhibitions
traditionally center on objects or artifacts and their interpretation, I'm
not sure how you would logically include Dr. Laura in either an exhibition or
in a museum-oriented discussion.  (Well, perhaps you could show the famous
nude photographs of her...)

David Haberstich

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