Ben Stein Evolves Into Michael Moore Of Christian Right: Lands Creationist Museum Invite

CINCINNATI (TDB) -- Ben Stein has been an actor, professor, presidential speech writer, comedian and newspaper columnist. Now he's stepping into a new role: America's preeminent anti-evolutionist by appearing as onscreen host of Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed. The movie -- out this weekend -- contends scientists who question the theory of evolution run into bias and career roadblocks. Already, the buzz has brought Stein an invitation to appear at Answers in Genesis, the creationist museum in suburban Cincinnati that contends the world is no more than 5,000 years old. The museum takes the Bible literally and has been drawing crowds of true believers.

Ken Ham, the founder of Answers in Genesis, says Stein will be on a road tour promoting the movie. He's already asked Stein to drop in and check out the exhibits of dinosaurs living side-by-side with humans:

"I don't know where the Expelled tour intends to stop along their route, but I'd like to offer an open invitation right here to Mr. Stein and those traveling on the bus. Stop by as our guests for a few hours and tour the Creation Museum. In addtion to giving them an education unlike any other, just think how much publicity for both the film and Aig Creation museum that could elicit!"

In this YouTUBE clip for the film, Stein says he's investigating and speaking out against discrimination aimed at those educators who support intelligent design. The bit seems to intended to portray Stein as an alternative universe version of Michael Moore. Perhaps it's an intelligently designed effort to capture some of Moore's schtick for the other end of the political/relgious spectrum.

So far, no word if the creationist center is on Stein's itinerary. The producers have been catching some flak over allegations that they deceived some scientists to appear in the film. Ham says "based on pre-release materials we've seen, the public education establishment will not be happy with Stein or the documentary."

Photo: Courtesy Wikipedia

Cincinnati GOP Councilman Chris Monzel: Wants Evolution Challenged In Public Schools

CINCINNATI (TDB) -- Maybe speakers from the Creation Museum just across the Ohio River in Kentucky might be asked to hold forth in Cincinnati Public School biology classes. They could explain how the world is just 5,000 years old, dinosaurs were hanging around with people in the Garden of Eden, and that the Bible's Book of Genesis literally explains how humanity got its start. That might be exactly what Republican Councilman Chris Monzel --who is seeking election tomorrow -- hopes to accomplish. Who knows? Monzel says he supports requiring Ohio's classroom teachers to "present the evidence" that contradicts Charles Darwin's theory of evolution.

Monzel, 39, is trying to hold onto a seat that the GOP appointed him to after he was voted out of office in 2005. He is an engineer and holds a masters degree in public policy from Harvard University. He was the valedictorian at parochial Moeller High School in 1986. He is a very intelligent fellow. He did not elaborate on the questionnaire exactly what it is that teachers should offer as contradicting Charles Darwin. Perhaps intelligent design, perhaps scientific creationism, perhaps Genesis or something from Greek mythology. Perhaps a script from Star Trek.

He was asked about "Alternatives to Evolution," and the question reads:

"When lessons on the origins of life are taught in Ohio public schools, do you support or oppose requiring teachers to present the evidences (sic) both supportive and contradictory to the theory of evolution?" Monzel is in the supports box.

Darwin's theory is generally accepted, and contends that organisms and species continuously make genetic adaptions to the environment. They do this by selection, either through hybridization, inbreeding and mutation (short version).

Cincy-Area Creationist Museum: Seeks Police Powers

CINCINNATI (TDB) -- The Answers-in-Genesis Creation Museum that now plans a June opening in suburban Cincinnati wants Kentucky's governor to grant its security guards special police powers to make arrests and control crowds. The $25 million museum is on the Kentucky side of the Ohio River and will be stocked with exhibits that portray the Earth as about 6,000 years old, an interpretation that takes the Biblical story of Genesis as literally true. Dinosaur models were being installed this month. The museum makes no bones about its religious roots, and is a Christian effort to counter Darwin's theory of evolution.

Museum officials anticipate large crowds, and recently asked Boone County, Ky. for an ordinance granting prolice powers. The Cincinnati Post said the request was rejected. The museum then petitioned Kentucky Gov. Ernie Fletcher for executive action allowing its security staff to function as peace officers.

Tom Scheben, a spokesman for the Boone County Sheriff's Office, told Post reporter Shelly Whitehead the creationist museum had worries about protests. "They're concerned about people coming onto their property and trying to create a ruckus or do damage. I don't know if they've had any problems yet. But we've not been out there for anybody trying to create harm."

A museum spokesman said the creationists did not intend to establish an armed camp and did not plan to operate a full-scale police department. He said Christian group instead anticipated drawing big crowds to what the creationists hope will become a major tourist attraction. So far, no word from the Republican governor, who is seeking reelection this year. And no word if the creationists are preparing for protests.

Sen. John McCain's Conservative Evolution: By Intelligent Design?

CINCINNATI (TDB) -- Arizona Sen. John McCain was due in Ohio today for private meetings and fundraisers with GOP heavyweights in Cincinnati, but it's a week out that his schedule takes a far more interesting turn. He's going to speak at an event in Seattle co-sponsored by the Discovery Institute, a West Coast think tank that is openly skeptical about Charles Darwin's theory of natural selection. This raises a question: Is McCain's reputation as a moderate Republican evolving; is he becoming a hardshell conservative?

Officially, McCain will speak Feb. 23 about the role of the U.S. in the global community during a luncheon co-sponsored by the Discovery Institute, the CityClub of Seattle and the Seattle World Affairs Council. But it is the Discovery Institute's involvement that is raising some eyebrows. The organization says it "supports research by scientists and other organizations developing the scientific theory known as intelligent design."

Ohio was the scene of a flare-up in the state board of education last year over evolution, and there was an unsuccessful and highly controversial push to encourage doubts about Darwin's ideas. The people on the losing side no doubt are encouraged to learn that Sen. McCain doesn't view the some of the most outspoken proponents of their viewpoint as kooks to be avoided at all costs.

The Discovery Institute is aggressive in challenging Darwinism. It has an online statement for scientists to sign that say: "We are skeptical of claims for the ability of random mutation and natural selection to account for the complexity of life. Careful examination of the evidence for Darwinian theory should be encouraged."

McCain probably won't have a word to say on the subject of evolution. He's more likely to stay on topic, which is how the U.S. should position itself to confront expected challenges around the world during the next decade. Information about the Discovery Institute is HERE.

This online manifesto describes a little of the Ohio debate, though it was not published by the Discovery Institute, whose own Dissent From Darwin is worth reading.

A stimulating DEBATE about Darwin's theory was published online by Natural History Magazine, and there is discussion about the flap over Ohio's teaching standards. As for McCain, the transformation may be taking place right before our eyes.

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Cincy Creationist Museum: Creating New Jobs

CINCINNATI (TDB) -- Answers in Genesis, the new $25 million museum that conservative Christians are building to counter Darwin's theory of evolution, has scheduled a "Job Fair" later this week to start recruiting workers for a May 28 opening. To be considered, applicants must submit a resume, their "Christian testimony" and a creation belief statement. The museum is in Kentucky near the Greater Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky International Airport and defends the Bible's accuracy from its very first verse. A notice about the Job Fair is HERE.

A similar facility, the Museum of Earth History, is already open in Eureka Springs, Ark. Visitors there learn that humans and dinosaurs lived alongside each other and that Noah carried JUVENILE DINOSAURS among the aninals on the Ark. The museum contends full-size dinos would have been too large for the vessel.

Meanwhile, Patrick Crowley, a Cincinnati Enquirer reporter, says the suburban Cincinnati museum has employed the Rev. Billy Graham's spokesman as its public relations consultant.

A. Larry Ross is a high-powered Texas media and public relations consultant with a long list of Christian clients. His company's Web site is HERE and the new relationship between Ross and the museum means a full-court pr campaign is coming in the weeks ahead. Ross' job will be to get Answers In Genesis founder Ken Ham on the national talk shows and cable TV gabfests timed for the May 28 opening.

Answers in Genesis also has ties to Jerry Falwell's LIBERTY UNIVERSITY in Virginia. Students there are required to take a creation course that teaches the literal story of Genesis and the "young earth" beliefs of Answers in Genesis.