Let's hold a contest

But before we do, we have to decide on the results before anyone can enter.

How would this play over in your neighborhood? Well apparently it goes over in Northern Kentucky . . . although how well remains to be seen. The news is that Little Kennie Ham is holding a 'Science Fair'. Now that by itself is pretty scary since Kennie's relationship with science is pretty limited, but it gets a bit worse. In order to enter this 'science' fair, you have to sign and subscribe to the AIG Statement of Faith. Yes, you have to already profess to share in Little Kennie's personal delusion . . . something the clear majority of Christians in the world do not do . . . or you cannot participate.

Anyone else see something wrong here? Doesn't it sorta screw up the whole idea of science if you have to already have your answers BEFORE you create your fair exhibit? The most creative exhibits I have ever seen try and take on something new and interesting.

Little Kennie's blog lists the 'Top 10 Reasons Why You Should Go to his fair" These are nearly as funny as his Statement of Faith. First of all it mentions that if you

"love science, you should start planning now."

I have to take a bit of an exception to that. In my opinion if you actually love science the last place in the world you would want to be in on the grounds of the Creation Museum. His number 10 reason is

"10. You probably don’t have anything else planned for February 27, 2010."

I am pretty sure there will be plenty of other things to do besides go to Northern Kentucky and visit the House that Kenny Built.Although when you think about it, this is hte type of reason you come up with when you run out of anything creative to say.

"9. It’s at the Creation Museum!"

This is a top reason to go? Not, this is a reason to stay away. Now I am sure he ran out of creative words when he has to resort to this!

"8. It’s open to homeschoolers, Christian school students, and public school students—as long as you agree with AiG’s Statement of Faith and will conduct a quality experiment, you can apply."

See what I mean! You have to already be a believer in order to participate. I do wonder why he is prejudicesd against other non-secular schools. I mean if they are willing to agree to his Statement, why can't they attend?

"7. Science is fun!"

All by itself, I agree with this statement. However it doesn't apply to anything going on at the Creation Museum now does it?

"6. It will be a fun day of learning with special programs just for you."

I would have fun there, but I doubt it would be the kind of fun Little Kennie has in mind.

"5. You can show off your scientific prowess."

No you can't, not with the restrictions placed upon you by his Statement.

"4. You can meet other creationist science-minded students."

Now here is an oxymoron if I have ever heard one. Someone please explain to Little Kennie what an 'oxymoron' is.

"3. You can conduct an experiment on a topic of your choice in the life or physical sciences (within certain guidelines)."

No you can't, the guidelines make it impossible.

"2. You can meet Answers in Genesis staff scientists."

Another oxymoron. Yes, you too can meet more people who share Little Kennie's view of the world. This again is not a positive reason for attending.

And finally…

"1. Many fabulous prizes will be awarded!"

So he has to bribe folks to participate. Finally this little note at the end:

"(Note: Because of limited space, each student will have to submit his or her hypothesis and methodology for acceptance [emphasis added] into the Science Fair. Submission forms will be available online by September.)"

So not only do you have to agree with his Statement of Faith, but he gets to pre-screen your entry on the pretext of limited space. Gee, didn't we recently see something very similar to this? Yes, now I remember, Summer Camp at the Discovery Institute. There you didn't have to sign a Statement of Faith, but you had to have a recommendation from an Intelligent Design friendly source. Another wonderful example of pre-screening to insure only the people who already believe can come in and participate.

So I guess after wasting a few days in the summer, you can waste further time in the winter. Either way, you lose! PZ Myers mentioned that he probably won't be asked to be a judge. I wish he would, I think he would make the perfect judge at a Creation Science Fair, although I wouldn't wish such a task on him. I can see the headlines now after PZ flunks each and every attempt to support Kennie Ham's limited world view. The spin would simply be that "Everyone Tied for First" or "There were No Losers", when the reality would be that their exhibits would fail to measure up to any form of scientific experimentation.

Actually I have the perfect team of judges, PZ Myers, Phil Plait, and John Lynch, what could be fairer than these three? The owners of three Blogs (Pharyngula, Bad Astronomy, and Stranger Fruit) that probably mention Little Kennie even more than his own self-aggrandizing one does.

So to paraphrase an old sentiment that I hope Little Kennie discovers next winter, "What if we hold a contest, and nobody came."