They're BAAAAACK!
Not even 10:30 AM and I really need a drink. I guess Mayor Bubba needs an issue to rally the wingnut faction for his reelection campaign.
Special thanks to Channel 6 and the Tulsa World for sponsoring this un-needed yet inflammatory piece of "research". Way to stir the shit guys!
BTW: In the interest of fair and balanced reporting, neither this story nor the spot on Channel 6 evening news last night included a statement from the zoo or Tulsa Parks and we were given no notice the story was breaking.
I've posted the entire article in the comments.
posted by ThomG @ 10:36:00 AM
4 Comments:
Support found for zoo display
By TOM DROEGE World Staff Writer
11/9/2005
Poll results show most Tulsans surveyed want a Bible-based exhibit at the Tulsa Zoo.
A controversial Bible-based exhibit considered earlier this year for the Tulsa Zoo has the support of most Tulsans surveyed in the latest Oklahoma Poll.
Under heavy criticism from opponents, a city board reversed itself and rejected the offered display earlier this year.
Nearly 59 percent of the people surveyed said they favor an exhibit at the zoo explaining the Earth's origins according to the Bible. Thirty-three percent said they disapprove of it.
"It's clear from this sample that the majority of Tulsans believe that the two explanations of the origin of the species -- one scientific, one religious -- should be displayed together," said Al Soltow, a consultant for the Oklahoma Poll.
The poll of 500 likely Tulsa voters was conducted Oct. 7-10 by Oklahoma City-based SoonerPoll.com. Sponsored by the Tulsa World and KOTV, channel 6, the Oklahoma Poll has a margin of error of 4.4 percent.
The proposed creationist exhibit was brought to the zoo's governing body in June after the board faced complaints that the zoo contains other religious symbols. One of those, an elephant-like
sculpture, is said to depict the Hindu god Ganesha.
The debate over mixing science and religion in a public institution attracted the national spotlight to Tulsa and divided the city based on some of the most dearly held beliefs of many residents.
The issue vanished from public meeting agenda's after the zoo board nixed it, but supporters say momentum is building below the surface to reintroduce it. They have the support of several large Tulsa churches and the mayor.
Robert Schoelen, a poll participant who was among the 33 percent opposed to such an exhibit, believes the biblical explanation of the beginning of time has little grounding in fact, unlike the theory of evolution.
"I just don't think that's the way it happened," Schoelen said. "I don't think we should teach our children that, and I'm a Christian."
Lila Powers said the Bible is an important part of her life, but in her opinion it almost seemed degrading to have parts of it on display in a setting more commonly associated with animals.
"I just don't think that is the place for it," Powers said. "But I'm an old square."
The majority of people polled said if one kind of religion is shown at the zoo, then the dominate religion in Oklahoma -- Christianity -- should get time.
"I would prefer the objectionable objects be removed and that it just be a zoo or that another representation be included," said Marcheta Felts, who strongly approves of ef forts to add a display on the biblical story of creation.
When the issue was first brought up, the Tulsa Park and Recreation Board voted 3-1 in favor of it. A month later, citing public outcry, the board reversed its decision and voted 3-1 against it. Mayor Bill LaFortune was the only board member to consistently support the exhibit.
Although he was not available for comment Tuesday, Kim MacLeod, community affairs manager for the city, said in a prepared statement that the poll only confirms what LaFortune already believed: that a majority of Tulsans would support inclusion of a biblical-based creation exhibit at the Tulsa Zoo among other stories.
"Mayor LaFortune's position in support of the creation exhibit has clearly been stated in the past, and he has not wavered on that position, which was based on equal access to information and fairness to all citizens," MacLeod wrote. "Out of respect for his fellow Park Board members and their collective decision to reject the proposed creation exhibit, he has not taken any unilateral action" regarding the exhibit.
Dan Hicks, a Christian activist who spearheaded the effort to in stall the exhibit, said he has theories about the park board's vote.
"I believe the park board bowed to financial special interests rather than respecting the creationist view held by the majority of Tulsa taxpayers," Hicks wrote in a prepared statement. "As mayor, Bill LaFortune has the authority, and I believe the obligation, to follow the will of the people and have the Genesis Display included at the Tulsa Zoo.
"Mayoral candidate, Chris Medlock has indicated to me that he would support including the display. I do believe this will be an important campaign issue with the conservative base in the upcoming republican primary."
Hicks continued:
"Many Christians see the hypocrisy of allowing Hindu idols, New Age philosophy, African theology, and Naturalism (evolution) while singling out the Genesis Display for censorship as a slap in the face," he wrote. "The problem is that the Tulsa Zoo is run by a group of individuals who hold a radically different worldview than the majority of Tulsa taxpayers who happen to own the zoo."
Tom Droege 581-8361
tom.droege@tulsaworld.com
fuckers
"The problem is that the Tulsa Zoo is run by a group of individuals who hold a radically different worldview than the majority of Tulsa taxpayers who happen to own the zoo."
Is that a insult? Sounds like a complement to me.
Yeah, I'm quite proud to be included in most anything that the majority of Tulsans are against...
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