Creationists vs. Museums

The NY Times ran an article about creationists invading science museums, back in September. I didn't report on it at the time, partly because the article was on everyone's lips - my students even told me about it - so I thought it unnecessary.

If by some chance you missed it, you have a second chance to get it as fresh news, from ABC! An Ithaca, NY, museum has created a guide and workshop to discussing evolution, ID, and creationism for volunteers and employees at museums.

The guide provides information on the scientific method (using observations about the natural world and the rules of logic to test hypotheses), the theory of evolution, creationism and intelligent design.

It also offers a script for how to answer frequently raised challenges, such as, "Is it true that there is lots of evidence against evolution?" Answer: "No. Essentially all available data and observations from the natural world support the hypothesis of evolution. No serious biologist or geologist today doubts whether evolution occurred."
...
At the Ithaca museum, volunteers take a six-week paleontology course before working the museum floor. The guide instructs volunteers that when they encounter evolution critics, they should emphasize that science museums live by the rules of science.
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As a final note, the book tells guides that they cannot "win" against a convinced creationist.

"The most you can hope for is a respectful exchange of views," it says.

(ABC News)

I like the last part. I wonder if creationist camps teach their evangelists that they cannot win against convicted evolutionists. I wish they would.