At Noah’s Ark Farm Zoo, it’s lions and tigers and zebras, and a healthy dose of Christian theology

God, NOT DARWIN, created this adorable little fella. Who has since died.

Six miles outside of Bristol, England, Anthony and Christina Bush operate a zoo that welcomes 120,000 visitors each year. It’s a member in good standing of the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums and, by all accounts, the rhinos, gibbons, donkeys, prairie dogs, zebras and giraffes enjoy decent lives on the premises. So what’s the problem?

According to Mr. and Mrs. Bush, Noah’s Ark is meant “to remind visitors of the ancient tradition of God’s relationship with mankind; and of the contemporary science that points to Creation plus evolution of species.”

And that’s causing problems with people who, you know, have fucking brains in their heads. Take it away, BBC News:

Tourism boards have been urged to stop promoting a North Somerset zoo which presents creationist ideas.

The British Humanist Association (BHA) says Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm undermines the teaching of science.

Signs at the zoo in Wraxhall describe how the “three great people groups” could be descended from the three sons of Bible ark builder Noah.

A spokeswoman for the zoo said they viewed the natural world as a product of both God and evolution.

Another sign at the zoo says animals hunt and kill food because “man rebelled against God”.

The zoo’s website also explicitly rejects Darwinism, describing it as “flawed”, and claims scientists are afraid to talk about “design” in the natural world.

BHA education officer Paul Pettinger visited the zoo at the end of July.

He said: “I found lots of creationist and pseudo-scientific beliefs.

“They ask you to pray for animals, and so on.

“We’re very concerned because it will undermine education and the teaching of science.”

The BHA is calling on tourism boards to stop promoting the zoo.

But Noah’s Ark’s owner Anthony Bush says his zoo simply presents a variety of views, one of which is creationist.

Many creationists take a literal interpretation of the Bible’s description of the origin of life and reject the Darwinian concept of evolution.

“I think God created life. I have no idea when,” said the former Evangelical preacher.

“There’s a lot of people who believe in Genesis who don’t want to come out of the woodwork, but they don’t want to come out of the closet because of the thought police.”

Wow. Just like here in the States, people who “believe in Genesis” have a hard time going public. I had no idea the Christian majority was so persecuted.

via ‘Creationist’ zoo causes dismay | BBC News.

Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm.