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   Actually, the "Evolution and Creationism: A Very Short Guide" was written exactly because of this type of incident.  Our docents and employees were having a bit of an issue diplomatically handling the creationists who would come to programs, lectures, and also just stand in the Museum and proselytize.  Martin has a good point as well - sometimes it helps to establish parameters ahead of time.

Cheers -

 Carlyn S. Buckler, Ph.D.

Paleontological Research Institution and its Museum of the Earth
1259 Trumansburg Road, Ithaca, NY 14850
Ph: (607) 273-6623 ext. 25
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www.MuseumoftheEarth.org

On Exhibit Now at Museum of the Earth:
Amber: Letting the Past Shine Through
October 3, 2009 - February 21, 2010
Also on exhibit: Biomorphic recent works by Gregory Brellochs
October 3, 2009 - January 17, 2010
Made possible through the generosity of M&T Bank and Susan Ettinger

Mon., Thurs.- Sat. 10 am - 5pm and Sun. 11 am - 5 pm. Closed Tuesday and Wednesday.





________________________________
From: Martin Weiss <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
Sent: Tue, November 17, 2009 1:06:50 PM
Subject: Re: museum responses to the Evolution/Creationist debate

ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
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The Musuem of the Earth has a docent guide to dealing with visitors who are
persistent in their objections/questioning of evolution.
However, I don't think they deal with hecklers.

I think you ask them politely to save their comments until the end and also
suggest that they are interfering with others in the program.  In the
extreme
you could ask your security people to help.

Our experience in NY with he film and an exhibition on evolution has been
very quiet though I don't know who avoided the film and the exhibition
because of their beliefs. But experiences may vary depending upon geographic
location. When we were prototyping the evolution exhibition in Lancaster we
had problems;
nothing aggressive just I don't want my children to hear about this (that
the Earth is billions of years old).

Frankly, you could have as many objections to the movie from evolutionists
as from creationists.

Best of luck,

Martin

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