Published in Museums Journal, July 2010
Culture secretary wants creationism in museum.
An early day motion in parliament has expressed regret “that there is pressure to include creationism” in the Ulster Museum and says that the teaching or promotion of religious beliefs should be separate from that of science.
Northern Ireland culture secretary Nelson McCausland had written to the museum’s board of trustees asking them to “consider how alternative views of the origin of the universe and the origin of life can be recognised and accommodated in national museums”.
Writing on his blog last month, the minister defended the letter, saying: “We need a society where it is possible to have a reasonable discussion about issues such as museums or culture, indeed that is an essential element in a shared and better future.”
The early day motion had seven signatures as Museums Journal went to press.
