Back in May , we reported on something really bizarre but also perfectly suit of the shitshow that is 2017 : A creationist was undertake to action the authorities supervise the Grand Canyon because they were n’t letting him go and collect samples .
As a qualified geoscientist who also happens to believe the major planet is less than 10,000 years onetime , we described this rather singular man , one Dr Andrew Snelling , as “ akin to a physicist that considers gravity to be mythological . ” Indeed , the oxymoronic nature of his job title – creationist geologist – was the reason his inquiry software wasoriginally turned downby the powers that be .
Now , with a leaden heart , we have an update on this history . The National Park Service ( NPS ) has undermine in to his request to recall sample from the 1.84 - billion - year - old Grand Canyon , and as a result , Snelling has drop his lawsuit .
This is a rather strange victory for Answers in Genesis – a non-profit-making ladder by creationist museum laminitis Ken Ham – and the hilariously titled correct - fender sound group Alliance Defending Freedom . Their attempts to sue the federal government were made under the augur of spiritual secernment , in that Snelling was n’t earmark to conduct research because of his trust .
Things are more complicated than that , though . Academic inquiry is indeed allowed in the Grand Canyon , but as the website is one of such vast scientific grandness , it ’s limited to a blue-ribbon few academics who will habituate any samples take for serious scientific research .
Snelling has lectured on countless function about how the Bible is literally true and how the Grand Canyon is proof that Noah ’s Ark and the Great Flood really did take place . Although the precise motivation behind his Grand Canyon projection have never been explicitly stated , it ’s clear what he ’ll be attempting to use the samples to disprove .
No scientific technique will abruptly reveal that all the humans ’s geologist are suddenly unseasonable and that creationists were properly all along . This mean that he will be blow these samples and damage one of the most significant and beautiful natural admiration of the earth for no good reason .
This is thought to be why authority at the NPS were not allowing him to conduct his study – that , and because permitting the sample collection would give creationism an aviation of scientific legitimacy , one that it most certainly does not deserve .
Their acquiescence on this matter has n’t been elucidated upon , but it ’s probable they were pertain that people would accuse them of censoring if they stick to their ordnance . Whatever the cause , we now have to watch a scientist conduct pseudoscience in the name of fundamentalist religion .
[ H / T : Phoenix New Times ]
