If a science museum, then the job is to present honest science, not to
present non-science such as Intelligent Design or Creation Science. The
customer, of course, is free to believe the science or not, but by no
stretch of the imagination is the museum obliged to present religious
beliefs as if they were science--there are plenty of churches, religious
websites, blogs, etc., geared to present a huge variety of religious
views about origins and evolution.
On the original thread, I have no problem with the ordinary, sincere
creationist. What I do have a problem with is that small group
(unfortunately but understandably trusted by most of the honest
creationists) that distorts and lies (that there is no evidence, there
are no transitional fossils, that the scientific evidence supports
Noah's Flood, that radiometric dates are all wrong, that scientists are
liars, that [out of context quotes] show the evolutionists don't really
believe it, etc.).
Art Harris
John Martinson wrote:
> Museums, IMHO, are suppose to present a story or exhibit to the public,
>
> not telling the visitor what to believe or learn, but allowding the indivdiual
>
> the opportunity to learn.
>
>
>
> Thus, presenting the subject of "evolution" or "creationalism" should be done
>
> with an "open mind" to include BOTH aspects of the "theories" or issues, to allow the
>
> visitor to come up with their own interpretation or understanding of the
>
> subject(s). But, in no way do I feel that it is the responsibility of a museum
>
> to "tell" visitors one opinion over the other or what to believe.
>
> John
>
> Historian
>
> Boise, ID
>
>
>
>
>
> Date: Mon, 23 Nov 2009 16:00:00 -0500
> From: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: [MUSEUM-L] Hate speech on this forum
> To: [log in to unmask]
>
>
> Dawn,
>
> I, too, have been deleting most of the responses to this thread so as not to respond to this discussion. But, I cannot refrain any more. I agree with your sentiments word for word.
>
> I am the Director of a small museum on the campus of Messiah College. Diversity is a common theme on college campuses and within our industry as well. If we, as professionals, adhere to diversity, then we certainly must entertain all thoughts, digest each one and hopefully come out with an understanding and respect for that particular viewpoint. If we cannot do that, then our governing body needs to create many workshops on the theme of diversity so we can begin to understand what we say, when we say our museums are diverse.
>
> Ken Mark
> Director, Oakes Museum of Natural History
> Grantham, PA 17027
>
> Kenneth D. Mark
> Director of the Oakes Museum
>
> Messiah College
> One College Ave. Box 3029
> Grantham, PA 17055
>
> Telephone: 717-691-6082
> FAX: 717-691-6046
> Email: [log in to unmask]
>
>>>> Mike Csontos <[log in to unmask]> 11/23/2009 12:38 PM >>>
>
> Now THAT"S disturbing!
>
> As a result of this header I scanned all the posts on the "responses" thread and found nothing I would regard as hate speech. In the response quoted, a personal opinion was honestly disclosed with a statement on how it influenced that museum's policy. Elsewhere the discussion seemed quite reasonable.
>
> A public museum, especially state or federal chartered, should reflect and respect community values. How does one do that when the community is split into groups that are "deeply disturbed" by any mention of views opposed to their own?
>
> Is it responsible behavior to avoid recognizing the issue altogether?
>
> It is unlikely that discussion will resolve the issues but they should be kept in mind, discussed, and thought about so one will be prepared to address them when they arise.
>
> We need to regard language as a communications medium, not an assault weapon, even if it takes an effort to do so.
>
> Mike Csontos
> Assistant Librarian
> Antique Wireless Museum
> Bloomfield, NY
>
>
>
> In a message dated 11/23/2009 9:23:47 A.M. Eastern Standard Time, [log in to unmask] writes:
>
> I totally agree & appreciate your remarks.
>
> Barb Magers
>
>
> Barb Magers
> Curatorial Research Assistant
> Still National Osteopathic Museum
> National Center For Osteopathic History
> 800 W. Jefferson
> Kirksville, MO 63501
> ph: 1- 660-626-2359 ext.2558
> fax: 1-660-626-2984
> [log in to unmask]
>
>>>> Dawn Distasio <[log in to unmask]> 11/22/2009 4:57 PM >>>
>
>
> Dear Colleagues,
>
> I have REALLY tried my best to hold off and not contribute to this discussion, as I feel it has gone off topic. However, with this latest email by Mr. LaGreca I cannot hold my tongue any longer. As a Christian, and as a museum professional, I am deeply disturbed and angry by the hateful speech that has been used during this thread. Every religion has it's own creation story, and it should be respected. Should we be forced to take one view as "gospel" (pardon the word choice) - of course not. But to dismiss, and look down upon, someone else's views because of your personal beliefs (and that goes for whatever side you are on or belief you may hold) is not right either. Furthermore, to regard them as "jokers", on a professional forum, is degrading. And I direct my words not only at Mr. LaGreca, but at all who have participated. I feel your speech is no better than the conservatives you rally against. (For the record, before anyone formulates an opinion of my motives,
I happen to be a liberal.) We all have a right to our own personal beliefs. We also have a right to disagree with each other. However I feel it can be done in a respectful manner without name calling.
>
> As museum workers we must strive to represent and respect people of all nations, religions, cultures and creeds. There is no place for intolerance of any kind in our field.
>
> Respectfully,
> Dawn Distasio
>
>
>
>
>
> From: Scott LaGreca <[log in to unmask]>
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Sent: Sat, November 21, 2009 7:26:38 AM
> Subject: Re: [MUSEUM-L] museum responses to the Evolution/Creationist debate
>
> Dear Friends & Colleagues,
>
> Thank you for all of your comments. Some of you have written to me
> personally, and some have replied to the list. I've taken the best
> emails (in my opinion!) and made notes. I especially like the
> suggestions for introducing an element of humor into my responses to
> visitors.
>
> Tomorrow is our film "Flock of Dodos" and I'm basically going to begin
> the program with a short introduction, saying (1) the reason we're
> showing this film is that it's the 150th anniversary of Darwin's famous,
> world-changing book, On The Origin of Species. And (2) Give some
> background information about the film--and how (in my opinion) it's a
> fairly even-handed, fair representation of both sides of the
> evolution/creationism debate.
>
> I'll go on to say that I realize that we appreciate that there are many
> opinions and beliefs about evolution--but we're not going to debate them
> here. [Personally, I'm not prepared to hold a "brown bag discussion" or
> "debate" after the film--although many list subscribers have suggested
> this]. I'll close my comments by saying that if anyone would like to
> help organize a "public forum" at our museum to discuss the
> evolution/creationist debate, to be held at some point in the future,
> then please see me after the film.
>
> Before I close this email I must point out that I was trained as an
> evolutionary biologist (in botany) and (personally) I have a very small
> appetite for creationism or intelligent design arguments. If it were up
> to me, I would not provide a forum for those jokers in any institution I
> worked in. I don't feel that creationists should be given the time of
> day--their arguments are not scientific; indeed, they are dangerous, in
> the sense that they threaten undermine decades of scientific research
> and send society back into the Dark Ages. I believe that there is, in
> fact, no "debate" worth having over this issue.
>
> But of course, I'd never make my views "policy" into any place I worked
> :)
>
> Thanks again to everyone,
>
> Scott
>
> Scott LaGreca, PhD
> Natural Science Coordinator
> Berkshire Museum
> 39 South Street
> Pittsfield, MA 01201 USA
> TEL 413-443-7171, ext. 17
> FAX 413-443-2135
> [log in to unmask]
>
> Ring in the Holidays with the 25th annual Festival of Trees at the
> Berkshire Museum from Nov. 14 to January 3, 2010. This year's Festival
> is proudly sponsored by Greylock Federal Credit Union.
>
> For more event information please visit www.berkshiremuseum.org
>
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--
Laboratory for Environmental Biology, Centennial Museum
University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX 79968-0915
[log in to unmask] http://museum.utep.edu/
http://museum.utep.edu/chih/chihdes.htm
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