Would you take your children to visit the Ark in Kentucky?

[StephieNorthCo]

So I spent the day with 2 sisters and my brother in law at the Creation Museum and The Ark, both located in Kentucky. (About 45 minutes apart, but operated by the same group.) Spent roughly 5 to 6 hours at each site. (Long day). For a day of entertainment, both were great. For instance, at the Creation Museum, there are outdoor activities, and beautiful gardens to visit, as well as the extensive indoor exhibits and planaterium shows. At the Ark, the enormity of the structure has to be experienced in order to appreciate Noah’s undertaking. The living quarters and related are amazing and absolutely worth the price. The kids I saw there were enjoying it as well. In my humble opinion, much better day than, for instance, spending it at Six Flags, or Sea World, or Wally World.

Be advised, I would venture to say that, while (newly) opened, the Ark is still very much a work in progress. A lot of area looks empty-like something belongs here but isn’t done yet. A few of the displays were apparently not finished. For instance, in the kitchen, there is sound of someone chopping veggies, but no one there.

But the above view is more or less from a secular, entertainment view.

From a Biblical view, it is in line with the Bible only if you take into account the agenda of the literal interpretationists, along with dinosaurs roaming around (Creation Museum) or caged (Ark). It starts with the creation event literally took place in 4004 BC, and logically (well, sort of) proceeds from there.

Some of the the Theology seems problematic. For example, one paragraph I had to choke down laughter was the statement (I’m trying to give an exact quote from memory) “if the first 11 chapters of Genesis can not be taken as historically accurate, then all of Christianity falls apart”. Really? I don’t think so.

They really did try to make a case of why science is wrong and the Bible (in their interpretation) is right. The problem is that not very many science literate people are going to buy the arguments. In many cases, the argument present is really weak. The problem with this level of proselytism is that, in my opinion, when fed to youngsters, is going to turn to sour fruit when said youngster grows up.

But as I said, I enjoyed the day. Actually a very worthwhile experience, even for kids, with the caveat that you will have to coach them concerning the agenda going on.

By the way, the Tower of Babel, and a walled city (Jericho? ) are being planned as an expansion.

Blessings,
Stephie

 

[SyroMalankara]

No interest in that, and I don’t want my kids to be uneducated and in a enclosed cultish enclave

 

[benhur]

That is called “last Thursdayism,” because by this rationale the earth could have been created last Thursday, and we would not know the difference. It is not a very compelling argument. The Church has no issue with following modern science on dating creation and on the origin of species.

Hi,

Was not aware of thrusdayism but just read up on it thanks. I think it stretches omphalism too far, just as some science scenarios go to far, or to far from any Genesis account .

Blessings

 

[Kliska]

No interest in that, and I don’t want my kids to be uneducated and in a enclosed cultish enclave

The attractions aren’t enclosed in some armed compound, in fact parts of the exteriors and interiors are free and open tot he public, and the people that built and run them are Christians. They are Christians with a different interpretation of Genesis than some other Christians, so I wonder why anyone would deem them “cultish?”

 

[SyroMalankara]

The attractions aren’t enclosed in some armed compound, in fact parts of the exteriors and interiors are free and open tot he public, and the people that built and run them are Christians. They are Christians with a different interpretation of Genesis than some other Christians, so I wonder why anyone would deem them “cultish?”

You wonder, really? The entire ‘interpretation’ is absurd, theologically loose, scientifically laughable, and wholly worthless.

 

[benhur]

You wonder, really? The entire ‘interpretation’ is absurd, theologically loose, scientifically laughable, and wholly worthless.

Hi Sy,

Don’t hold back on your feelings and criticism, both baby and bath water. Don’t we all have many differing “points”, even objects, of faith ?

Blessings

 

[zaffiroborant]

The attractions aren’t enclosed in some armed compound, in fact parts of the exteriors and interiors are free and open tot he public, and the people that built and run them are Christians. They are Christians with a different interpretation of Genesis than some other Christians, so I wonder why anyone would deem them “cultish?”

Cultish, who knows but hateful towards Catholicism in general and me personally for being Catholic, yes they are. I would never take my kids to this because I have been treated so very poorly by people who hold this view of Genesis and feel they have to hound, bully and physically restrain and lecture me because of my Catholic faith.

 

[Kliska]

You wonder, really? The entire ‘interpretation’ is absurd, theologically loose, scientifically laughable, and wholly worthless.

Yes, I wonder, as they don’t meet the definition of a “cult.” That word is thrown around a lot, even at Catholics. It doesn’t fit. Also, there are Catholic theologians that support young earth interpretation, and even if wrong it is in no way worthless. Many scientists became scientists based on the fact that Creation was done by a Creator, and is therefore ordered in such a way that we can figure it out through systematic study. You should check out the lists of scientists that were/are creationists, if you are interested.

 

[Kliska]

Cultish, who knows but hateful towards Catholicism in general and me personally for being Catholic, yes they are. I would never take my kids to this because I have been treated so very poorly by people who hold this view of Genesis and feel they have to hound, bully and physically restrain and lecture me because of my Catholic faith.

I’m sorry that has happened to you, truly.

I have had the privilege of “meeting” young earth Catholics, as well as protestants (and old earthers too). Unfortunately this topic does tend to cause people to become angry and defensive, with not a lot of love to go around.

 

[misspriss]

Cultish, who knows but hateful towards Catholicism in general and me personally for being Catholic, yes they are. I would never take my kids to this because I have been treated so very poorly by people who hold this view of Genesis and feel they have to hound, bully and physically restrain and lecture me because of my Catholic faith.

Well, being a young earth Catholic, I promise not to hound, bully, or physically restrain and lecture you.

I have (in my days as a Protestant) been to many Answers in Genesis events, met Ken Ham several times, I did not witness any bullying behavior.

 

[SyroMalankara]

Young Earth Creationism for a Catholic and Ham’s enterprise are not necessarily compatible. In fact, I don’t think they are at all compatible. From his site:

As Martin Luther called his generation to make Scripture alone the authority, we at Answers in Genesis rally ours to a new reformation, to a place of laying aside doubt, defending the faith, and building our thinking on the Word of God.

The 66 books of the Bible are the written Word of God

Its assertions are factually true in all the original autographs. It is the supreme authority in everything it teaches. Its authority is not limited to spiritual, religious, or redemptive themes but includes its assertions in such fields as history and science.

The final guide to the interpretation of Scripture is Scripture itself.

Salvation is a gift received by faith alone

All things necessary for our salvation are expressly set down in Scripture.

Since its founding in 1993, Answers in Genesis has promoted the supreme authority of God’s Word and salvation based on faith alone. While our views contradict the Council of Trent, the ministry strives not to be negative or “anti–Catholic,” but positive, “pro-evangelical Christian,” and “pro-Creator,” if you’ll allow us those terms.

we have to say that we reject the authority of the Magisterium. We accept the truth of Scripture (the 66 books) because it is God’s Word, because it is, itself, our final authority.

It seems the effects of the Galileo affair have had a permanent impact on the Roman Catholic Church’s attitude toward science.* Now, they are so unwilling to give the appearance of interfering in otherwise secular science that they reject even fundamentally Christian views.
*Readers may wonder why our Christian ministry would bring up what some critics say is an embarrassment to Christianity: the bad treatment of Galileo by the religious leaders of his day. The often-heard claim is that Christianity was anti-science during the time of Galileo because the Catholic Church accepted an earth-centered solar system and persecuted Galileo for his contrarian belief in a sun-centered one. However, the Church’s belief was based on the acceptance of ancient thinkers like Aristotle and Ptolemy, not what the Bible actually teaches. Much pagan thinking had seeped into Catholic teaching, and the Church’s acceptance of the ancients’ beliefs of the universe was the cause of the Galileo affair, not the Bible’s teaching.

Ham himself says that no one who believes anything other than in a literal 24 hour - 6day Creation can go to Heaven

 

[JB_Brother_4446]

St. Augustine of Hippo actually believed in a form of evolution.

 

[Third_Day]

Well, being a young earth Catholic, I promise not to hound, bully, or physically restrain and lecture you.

I have (in my days as a Protestant) been to many Answers in Genesis events, met Ken Ham several times, I did not witness any bullying behavior.

I am leaning towards the young earth hypothesis. I’ve read the material and I can see how the theory of a 15 billion year old universe is not all that sound. I was just reading today that they found a bone with cancer in it and the headline reads “1.7 million year old fossil found with cancer”
It is impossible to date a fossil beyond 50 thousand years so how can they say it is 1:7 million years old?
Dating rocks in the geological column also has many problems and there is no way to infallibly say a rock is millions of years old.
What saddens me is that Catholics who lean in the young earth direction are mocked and ridiculed when it is allowed for Catholics to hold that position!
Also you will never hear a young earth priest or theologian on Catholic Radio. How can that be when it is perfectly legitimate to believe in a young earth.

 

[SyroMalankara]

Just because it’s a legitimate option does not mean it’s a popular or well supported option.

 

[misspriss]

Just because it’s a legitimate option does not mean it’s a popular or well supported option.

Just because it is unpopular does not mean it is worthy of ridicule on CAF. I expect that kind of behavior on less savory places on the web, but here?

 

[Brandon_Cal]

I was just reading today that they found a bone with cancer in it and the headline reads “1.7 million year old fossil found with cancer”
It is impossible to date a fossil beyond 50 thousand years so how can they say it is 1:7 million years old?

Where on Earth did you learn this? It’s not correct.

 

[zaffiroborant]

Well, being a young earth Catholic, I promise not to hound, bully, or physically restrain and lecture you.

I have (in my days as a Protestant) been to many Answers in Genesis events, met Ken Ham several times, I did not witness any bullying behavior.

Of course they didn’t bully you, you were a Protestant. I will NEVER ever attend a thing, or place like this or ever take my kids to a place that in my experience actively disrespects and is vocally contemptuous of my faith.

 

[zaffiroborant]

I’m sorry that has happened to you, truly.

I have had the privilege of “meeting” young earth Catholics, as well as protestants (and old earthers too). Unfortunately this topic does tend to cause people to become angry and defensive, with not a lot of love to go around.

I’m not even talking about the topic of young earth vs old earth. I would never go to this because the same “believers” who harassed me about my beliefs, who hounded me, who viciously attacked my church and belief are in my mind the same people who put this whole thing together. After my treatment my dad went to the police and contacted the media over my treatment in order to get it stopped, voluntarily walking my kids into the same attitude I was bullied with is not something I would do, ever, for me it disrespects both my faith and my father’s memory.

 

[Third_Day]

Where on Earth did you learn this? It’s not correct.

It is correct. Some scientists will claim no more than 50,000 years some 60,000 years but no fossil can be dated 100,000 or into the millions. Because of this they must date fossils based on where it is found in the geological column and dating rocks has some serious problems that are based on many assumptions.

From this site:

“Over time, the carbon-14 decays into nitrogen-14; half will do so after about 5,730 years (this is the isotope’s half-life). After about 60,000 years, all of the carbon-14 will be gone…Radiocarbon dating works well for some archaeological finds, but it has limitations: it can be used to date only organic materials less than about 60,000 years old”

smithsonianmag.com/history/showing-their-age-62874/?no-ist

 

[misspriss]

Of course they didn’t bully you, you were a Protestant. I will NEVER ever attend a thing, or place like this or ever take my kids to a place that in my experience actively disrespects and is vocally contemptuous of my faith.

I said witness, not experience. Of course not me, but I didnt see them harassing anyone else either who was not a protestant.