Creation controversy at the Tulsa Zoo

A couple of displays at the <b><a class="headlinelink" href="http://www.kotv.com/main/home/searchKOTV.asp?mainSearch=Tulsa Zoo">Tulsa Zoo</a></b> have angered some critics. And another that's been

Monday, June 6th 2005, 10:06 am

By: News On 6

A couple of displays at the Tulsa Zoo have angered some critics. And another that's been suggested is controversial too. Both have aspects of religion and another that's been suggested - are both creating controversy.

News on 6 reporter Emory Bryan has the story.

Over by the elephants at the Tulsa Zoo, there is a statue of an elephant called "Ganesha". For Hindu's, Ganesha is a revered deity, one of the most important in the religion. But the curator of the exhibit at the Tulsa Zoo says it's not religious, in this setting. Brett Fidler: "We exhibit it out of the religious context, strictly as a museum piece."

For Dan Hicks[pictured] and John Jones, that's unbelievable. They frequent the Tulsa Zoo with their children and Jones says he doesn't want to see religious icons at the zoo. John Jones: "we need to leave it to the display of animals, and the education of children about nature."

Hicks wants his religion included or the Hindu icon removed. He's suggested a biblical account of creation that zoo staff has so far, rejected. The Tulsa Zoo says the belief that God created the animals has no scientific merit and that's why it's not mentioned at the zoo. Brett Fidler: â€œwe display things that have been proven through the scientific method and intelligent design has not been proven, to the point that it belongs at an institution like the Tulsa Zoo.â€

The critics also think one of the zoo's most visible symbols, the big globe by the entrance, evokes religion through the saying "the earth is our mother, the sky is our father". Zoo staff says it's there to add a Native American flair, but Hicks believe it's another example of openness to anything but the Christian view.

The Tulsa Parks Board, which oversees the zoo, takes up the controversy at a meeting Tuesday. It will vote on whether or not to allow a display on the biblical view of creation.