Tulsa Zoo's ' Creation' exhibit

A controversial <b><a class="headlinelink" href="http://www.kotv.com/main/home/searchKOTV.asp?mainSearch=creation">creation</a></b> exhibit for the Tulsa Zoo is up for a vote again Thursday. The plaque

Wednesday, July 6th 2005, 10:24 am

By: News On 6

A controversial creation exhibit for the Tulsa Zoo is up for a vote again Thursday. The plaque was initially approved by the city of Tulsa park board last month, but then some members said it wasn't clear what they were voting on.

As News on 6 reporter Steve Berg explains, supporters have created a full-size display so they'll know "exactly" what they're voting on.

The creation display has been created. Supporters of the plaque say this is the final design[pictured]. Key to them is the inclusion of scripture, while the Tulsa Zoo has a multiple religion and spiritual display in mind.

"The proposal that was presented so far would strip all the scriptural content from the display that was approved. And it would simply provide one picture of the Judeo-Christian view of the origin of life along with many other cultural views on the origin of life." Attorney Chris Thrutchley says while anything is possible, the creation plaque supporters seem skeptical that the board didn't know what it was voting on.

Instead, they think the board is wavering under public pressure. And they don't think it's fair for the board members to change their mind now. "And so, what appears to be developing for tomorrow's meeting is that the board is going to come back with the zoo and recommend that this exhibit not be put up for display and that it be censored out."

Thrutchely says his group has no problem with other religious displays going up or going up right next to theirs. He just doesn't want the board changing "their" display.

One Tulsa park board member says including scripture would make the display too big. But supporters says there's plenty of room for the five-by-three foot plaque.

The Tulsa park board meets Thursday at 9:30 AM at Gilcrease Museum.