Creation Museum mired in controversy

Florence, Ky. -- The Creation Museum in Petersburg, Ky., is mired in controversy after local officials used what critics called inflammatory language to promote it online.

Kentucky Paleontological Society head Daniel Phelps said Petersburg officials acted inappropriately when they decided to promote the museum on their Web site, using an incendiary quote about the subject matter, The Cincinnati Enquirer said Sunday.

"This 'walk through history' museum will counter evolutionary natural history museums that turn countless minds against Christ and Scripture," the Web site announces.

Phelps said the choice of words draws battle lines that don't necessarily represent the true beliefs of all religious people.

"There's many people who are very religious, and they don't have a problem with evolution," he said.

The museum promotes the notion that Earth is 6,000 years old -- rather than nearly 4.5 billion -- and depicts humans living side-by-side with dinosaurs.

Copyright 2007 by United Press International.