Parks Service Appeases Creationists at Grand Canyon

UPDATE: The claims made by PEER in the press release reported below were shown to be bogus.

Employees of the Grand Canyon National Park have been directed not to offer an estimate of the geologic age of the canyon, reports the Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER), who contend the action was directed by Bush administration officials in order to appease creationists.

"In order to avoid offending religious fundamentalists, our National Park Service is under orders to suspend its belief in geology," stated PEER Executive Director Jeff Ruch in a press release. "It is disconcerting that the official position of a national park as to the geologic age of the Grand Canyon is 'no comment.'"

The controversy centers on the continued sale of a book at park bookstores -- government operated facilities -- that contends the Grand Canyon was created by Noah's flood. Attempts in 2003 by the Park Superintendent to block the sale of the book Grand Canyon: A Different View by Tom Vail, were blocked by the National Parks Service.

"As one park geologist said, this is equivalent of Yellowstone National Park selling a book entitled Geysers of Old Faithful: Nostrils of Satan," Ruch added.

Photo courtesy of National Parks Service

Also See:
Parks Service Sticks With Biblical Explanation for Grand Canyon
Separation of Church, State and Supreme Court