Tulsa World: Falling trumpets creationism issue

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Falling trumpets creationism issue
The mayoral candidate describes a zoo display as a priority.

RALLY
Anna Falling: "We need to first of all recognize the fact that God needs to be honored in this city."

By BRIAN BARBER World Staff Writer
Published: 8/12/2009 2:25 AM
Last Modified: 8/12/2009 9:55 AM

Tulsa Elections: Read bios of candidates for mayor, City Council and city auditor and view a map of City Council districts.

Republican mayoral candidate Anna Falling said Tuesday that putting a Christian creationism display in the Tulsa Zoo is No. 1 in importance among city issues that also include violent crime, budget woes and bumpy streets.

"It's first," she said to calls of "hallelujah" at a rally outside the zoo. "If we can't come to the foundation of faith in this community, those other answers will never come. We need to first of all recognize the fact that God needs to be honored in this city."

Falling, who has founded several Christian nonprofit groups and is a former city councilor, also said the next mayor needs to appoint people to boards, authorities and commissions who will "honor God."

"We will also look for people who want to characterize the origins of both man and animals in a way that honors Judeo-Christian science that proves God as the creator," she said.

When asked whether she meant that she would recruit Christians to serve the city, Falling said she was talking about "people committed to their churches." When asked whether she meant Christian churches, she said, "churches, yes."

Falling's campaign has been overtly Christian-themed. But she said she wants to embrace people of all religions, not alienate them.

"I'd love to be able to visit with them," she said, adding that there's common ground. "I know God loves them. I love them. This is an opportunity for us to be able to be friends and make a difference in this community."

Controversy over having a creationism display at the zoo dates to 2005, when it was proposed by Dan Hicks, a Christian activist.

Hicks drew up plans for a 5-by-3-foot panel that would tell the Genesis creation story of God creating the world in six days and resting on the seventh.

It was initially approved by the Tulsa Park and Recreation Board, but the board later rescinded its decision in a second vote after a public outcry.

Hicks' now-finished panel was on display at the rally.

Zoo officials released this prepared statement: "Installation of this exhibit at the Tulsa Zoo was raised in 2005, discussed, vetted and resolved in a very public process involving the entire community. A public vote four years ago by the Parks Board resolved the issue."

The zoo has on display an elephantlike sculpture said to depict the Hindu god Ganesha and an exhibit that deals with the creation of the earth from a scientific point of view.

Brian Barber 581-8322
brian.barber@tulsaworld.com By BRIAN BARBER World Staff Writer

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Some reader comments for this story were copied from "Falling says putting Christian creationism display in the Tulsa Zoo is top priority," which was published on 8/11/2009.

	Report Comment dean, Tulsa (8/11/2009 7:11:25 PM) A bat in search of a belfry.
	Report Comment DrewTU, (8/11/2009 7:16:08 PM) Top priority? Seriously?
	Report Comment true2form, Grand Lake (8/11/2009 7:17:07 PM) You can see animals at the Tulsa Zoo performing the acts of creationism most any day of the week!
	Report Comment cosmo7, (8/11/2009 7:17:10 PM) As a bible believing church going dyed in the wool red state conservative I must say this is stupid.
	Report Comment 2ndjoyce, BA (8/11/2009 7:19:50 PM) I don't even live in Tulsa, but my "top priority" would be to eliminate this woman as a serious contender.
	Report Comment HospRx, Broken Arrow (8/11/2009 7:21:48 PM) 2ndjoyce I believe she just did that herself.
	Report Comment tfromtulsa, Tulsa (8/11/2009 7:24:06 PM) Was installation of the Hindu god Ganesha discussed, vetted and resolved in a very public process involving the entire community and resolved with a public vote four years ago by the Parks Board? I don't remember that one. Why the difference?
	Report Comment HospRx, Broken Arrow (8/11/2009 7:25:33 PM) t I don't believe the Ganesha was used to teach people about the Hindu religion, rather as a tool as to what people though about the powerful animal the elephant.
	Report Comment HospRx, Broken Arrow (8/11/2009 7:25:51 PM) thought instead of though
	Report Comment farnam, TULSA (8/11/2009 7:27:55 PM) A top priority? That makes it my priority that she isn't elected.
	Report Comment TonyQ, Tulsa (8/11/2009 7:29:21 PM) tfromtulsa there aren't a lot of Hindus trying to be mayor and turn the city into a Hindu theocracy. That's one difference.
	Report Comment TonyQ, Tulsa (8/11/2009 7:30:19 PM) Is there a mental health requirement for mayors? Stupid question?
	Report Comment T!ger,, Tulsa (8/11/2009 7:30:39 PM) This is a wonderful idea! We need the good word of God out in the world. As a matter of fact, I think we need to get Bibles and Christianity talk back into our schools. Everyone needs to learn about our one and only true Loving God. God Bless all of you!
	Report Comment tfromtulsa, Tulsa (8/11/2009 7:30:52 PM) Then why is it called the "Hindu god Ganesha"? Surely you're not serious.
	Report Comment Four Sixteen Rigby, (8/11/2009 7:31:50 PM) I don't care whether the zoo has a creationism exhibit or not, but I also don't want the mayor wasting time on the issue. FIX THE STREETS AND LOCK UP THE PREDATORY CRIMINALS!!!!!
	Report Comment Thunder196, Tulsa (8/11/2009 7:31:56 PM) "It was initially approved by the Tulsa Park and Recreation Board, but the board later rescinded its decision in a second vote after a public outcry." ... Is she under the illusion there wouldn't be a second public outcry? After the Sally Kern fiasco, how could she possibly think that.
	Report Comment tfromtulsa, Tulsa (8/11/2009 7:33:23 PM) TonyQ - So Hinduism is acceptable, but Christianity is not. Thanks for the clarification.
	Report Comment tfromtulsa, Tulsa (8/11/2009 7:35:11 PM) What if a Jewish person decided to run for mayor?
	Report Comment tfromtulsa, Tulsa (8/11/2009 7:36:24 PM) dapple - Then Ganesha is illegal, too.
	Report Comment douglassm, tulsa (8/11/2009 7:37:17 PM) how embarrassing ... for tulsa ... for oklahoma ... for the animals! I'd rather see her in a cage - or padded cell.
	Report Comment Worried about the system, (8/11/2009 7:38:34 PM) The original reason the Park Board approved the creationism display is that they were under the impression it would be displayed within the framework of a Creation Myths from Around the World presentation. The vote was immediately rescinded when it became apparent to them - as well as the zoo personnel - that the display being prepared was a huge plaque with a lengthy passage from Genesis meant to be portrayed as "science". The leadership at the zoo was completely opposed to the idea, which the Park Board's subsequent vote honored.
	Report Comment ralph5, Tulsa (8/11/2009 7:38:54 PM) Anna is a nut job and a loose cannon. Nothing would be worse for our Tulsa than to have her as or mayor.
	Report Comment tornadoalley, jay (8/11/2009 7:40:48 PM) A woman that has guts for Jesus,who stands up to truth.I know,Iknow you all cry fowl now but there will be a judgement day.
	Report Comment HospRx, Broken Arrow (8/11/2009 7:40:48 PM) T you seem to be going off the deep end of christian persecution here. They named the statue that because that is what it is. If you want to make an animal associated statue and call it God, I am sure if it is a good enough statue that they may consider it, who knows try. Your point is that if one religion is personified why can't all, but again I don't think one statue personifies the whole of Hindu religion.
	Report Comment grizz, tulsa (8/11/2009 7:41:39 PM) Stupid idea, but a brilliant political ploy to win a multitude of far right voters. Hopefully, not a majority. I'm sure Oral & his 600 foot buddy are pleased.

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