Changes

==Creation Museum==

==Creation Museum==

According to AiG, Ken Ham had a vision for "a creation museum that teaches the truth" since 1979, when he began his ministry in [[Creation Science]].<ref name="History">[https://answersingenesis.org/about/history/ History]. ''Answers in Genesis''. Retrieved August 5, 2016.</ref> During the mid-1990s, after AiG was founded, the ministry began searching for land in Northern Kentucky to build the museum.<ref name="History"/> The Museum was opened on May 28, 2007<ref name="History"/> at the cost of $27 million.<ref name="Rothstein">Rothstein, Edward (May 24, 2007). [https://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/24/arts/24crea.html?_r=0 Adam and Eve in the Land of the Dinosaurs]. ''The New York Times''. Retrieved August 10, 2016.</ref> $21 million of the cost was raised through private donations.<ref>Lovan, Dylan (July 31, 2006). [http://www.nbcnews.com/id/14122311/ High Tech Museum Brings Creationism to Life]. ''NBC News''. Retrieved August 10, 2016.</ref>

According to AiG, Ken Ham had a vision for "a creation museum that teaches the truth" since 1979, when he began his ministry in [[Creation Science]].<ref name="History">[https://answersingenesis.org/about/history/ History]. ''Answers in Genesis''. Retrieved August 5, 2016.</ref> During the mid-1990s, after AiG was founded, the ministry began searching for land in Northern Kentucky to build the museum.<ref name="History"/> The Museum was opened on May 28, 2007<ref name="History"/> at the cost of $27 million.<ref name="Rothstein">Rothstein, Edward (May 24, 2007). [https://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/24/arts/24crea.html?_r=0 Adam and Eve in the Land of the Dinosaurs]. ''The New York Times''. Retrieved August 10, 2016.</ref> $21 million of the cost was raised through private donations.<ref>Lovan, Dylan (July 31, 2006). [https://www.nbcnews.com/id/14122311/ High Tech Museum Brings Creationism to Life]. ''NBC News''. Retrieved August 10, 2016.</ref>

It was estimated that 250,000 people would visit the museum in the first year.<ref name="Rothstein"/> However, the 250,000th visitor visited the museum in early November, nearly seven months ahead of schedule.<ref name="History"/><ref>{{cite news |title=Creation Museum hits 250K visitors |newspaper=The Cincinnati Enquirer |date=November 3, 2007 |url=http://news.cincinnati.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/AB/20071103/NEWS0103/711030409/ |accessdate=July 22, 2013}}</ref>

It was estimated that 250,000 people would visit the museum in the first year.<ref name="Rothstein"/> However, the 250,000th visitor visited the museum in early November, nearly seven months ahead of schedule.<ref name="History"/><ref>{{cite news |title=Creation Museum hits 250K visitors |newspaper=The Cincinnati Enquirer |date=November 3, 2007 |url=http://news.cincinnati.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/AB/20071103/NEWS0103/711030409/ |accessdate=July 22, 2013}}</ref>

During the construction of the Ark Encounter, AiG sued the state of Kentucky after officials blocked AiG from receiving a sales tax tourism incentive worth up to $18 million because AiG would use the Ark Encounter to share the gospel. On January 25, 2016, Federal Judge Gregory Van Tatenhove ruled in AiG's favor, ruling that blocking the incentives from AiG was unconstitutional and violated their [[First Amendment]] protections.<ref>Lovan, Dylan (January 25, 2016). [http://www.wcpo.com/news/local-news/grant-county/ark-encounter-builder-wins-legal-battle-over-tax-incentives Ark Encounter builder wins legal battle over tax incentive]. ''WCPO.com'' Retrieved August 5, 2016.</ref><ref>Caproni, Erin (January 26, 2016). [http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/morning_call/2016/01/judge-rules-on-ark-encounter-incentives.html Judge rules on Ark Encounter incentives]. ''Cincinnati Business Courier''. Retrieved August 5, 2016.</ref><ref>[https://answersingenesis.org/religious-freedom/victory-ark-encounter-federal-court/ Victory for AiG/Ark Encounter in Federal Court]. ''Answers in Genesis''. January 25, 2016. Retrieved August 5, 2016.</ref>

During the construction of the Ark Encounter, AiG sued the state of Kentucky after officials blocked AiG from receiving a sales tax tourism incentive worth up to $18 million because AiG would use the Ark Encounter to share the gospel. On January 25, 2016, Federal Judge Gregory Van Tatenhove ruled in AiG's favor, ruling that blocking the incentives from AiG was unconstitutional and violated their [[First Amendment]] protections.<ref>Lovan, Dylan (January 25, 2016). [http://www.wcpo.com/news/local-news/grant-county/ark-encounter-builder-wins-legal-battle-over-tax-incentives Ark Encounter builder wins legal battle over tax incentive]. ''WCPO.com'' Retrieved August 5, 2016.</ref><ref>Caproni, Erin (January 26, 2016). [http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/morning_call/2016/01/judge-rules-on-ark-encounter-incentives.html Judge rules on Ark Encounter incentives]. ''Cincinnati Business Courier''. Retrieved August 5, 2016.</ref><ref>[https://answersingenesis.org/religious-freedom/victory-ark-encounter-federal-court/ Victory for AiG/Ark Encounter in Federal Court]. ''Answers in Genesis''. January 25, 2016. Retrieved August 5, 2016.</ref>

On July 7, 2016, the Ark Encounter was opened to the public in Williamstown, Kentucky.<ref>Ham, Ken. [https://answersingenesis.org/blogs/ken-ham/2016/07/07/ark-encounter-opens-to-the-public/ Ark Encounter Opens to the Public!] ''Answers in Genesis''. July 7, 2016. Retrieved August 5, 2016.</ref> The Ark cost $100 million and is 510 feet long, 85 feet wide, and 51 feet high, based on the dimensions given in the Bible.<ref>Weed, Alexis (July 8, 2016). [http://edition.cnn.com/2016/07/07/us/noahs-ark-kentucky/ Noah's Ark Opens at Kentucky Theme Park]. ''CNN''. Retrieved August 5, 2016.</ref> The opening date, 7/7, was intentionally chosen to coincide with Genesis 7:7. The next day, Bill Nye visited the Ark Encounter upon invitation from Ham.<ref>Ham, Ken. [https://answersingenesis.org/blogs/ken-ham/2016/07/08/bill-nye-visits-ark-encounter/ Bill Nye Visits the Ark Encounter]. ''Answers in Genesis''. July 8, 2016. Retrieved August 5, 2016.</ref> As they walked the Ark, they had an informal debate.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Nye|first1=Bill |last2=Ham |first2=Ken |lastauthoramp=yes|title=Nye/Ham: The Second Debate Premiere (video - 117:04)|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PPLRhVdNp5M |date=13 March 2017 |work=[[YouTube]]}}</ref>

On July 7, 2016, the Ark Encounter was opened to the public in Williamstown, Kentucky.<ref>Ham, Ken. [https://answersingenesis.org/blogs/ken-ham/2016/07/07/ark-encounter-opens-to-the-public/ Ark Encounter Opens to the Public!] ''Answers in Genesis''. July 7, 2016. Retrieved August 5, 2016.</ref> The Ark cost $100 million and is 510 feet long, 85 feet wide, and 51 feet high, based on the dimensions given in the Bible.<ref>Weed, Alexis (July 8, 2016). [https://edition.cnn.com/2016/07/07/us/noahs-ark-kentucky/ Noah's Ark Opens at Kentucky Theme Park]. ''CNN''. Retrieved August 5, 2016.</ref> The opening date, 7/7, was intentionally chosen to coincide with Genesis 7:7. The next day, Bill Nye visited the Ark Encounter upon invitation from Ham.<ref>Ham, Ken. [https://answersingenesis.org/blogs/ken-ham/2016/07/08/bill-nye-visits-ark-encounter/ Bill Nye Visits the Ark Encounter]. ''Answers in Genesis''. July 8, 2016. Retrieved August 5, 2016.</ref> As they walked the Ark, they had an informal debate.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Nye|first1=Bill |last2=Ham |first2=Ken |lastauthoramp=yes|title=Nye/Ham: The Second Debate Premiere (video - 117:04)|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PPLRhVdNp5M |date=13 March 2017 |work=[[YouTube]]}}</ref>

==Free speech==

==Free speech==

*Byas, Steve (February 8, 2018). [https://www.thenewamerican.com/culture/item/28238-christian-speaker-denied-speaking-opportunity-in-oklahoma Christian Speaker Denied Speaking Opportunity in Oklahoma]. ''The New American''. Retrieved February 8, 2018.

*Byas, Steve (February 8, 2018). [https://www.thenewamerican.com/culture/item/28238-christian-speaker-denied-speaking-opportunity-in-oklahoma Christian Speaker Denied Speaking Opportunity in Oklahoma]. ''The New American''. Retrieved February 8, 2018.

*[https://www1.cbn.com/cbnnews/us/2018/february/creationist-speaker-barred-from-college-campus-as-tolerant-lgbt-group-complains Creationist Speaker Barred From College Campus as 'Tolerant' LGBT Group Complains]. ''CBN News''. Retrieved February 8, 2018.

*[https://www1.cbn.com/cbnnews/us/2018/february/creationist-speaker-barred-from-college-campus-as-tolerant-lgbt-group-complains Creationist Speaker Barred From College Campus as 'Tolerant' LGBT Group Complains]. ''CBN News''. Retrieved February 8, 2018.

*Jordahl, Steve (February 9, 2018). [https://onenewsnow.com/culture/2018/02/09/ham-shines-light-on-truth-gets-bumped Ham shines light on truth, gets bumped]. ''OneNewsNow''. Retrieved February 10, 2018.</ref> This happened despite the fact that the university signed two contracts with Ham to speak,<ref>Ham, Ken (February 9, 2018). [https://answersingenesis.org/blogs/ken-ham/2018/02/09/uco-cancellation-story-grows/ The UCO Cancellation Story Grows]. ''Answers in Genesis''. Retrieved February 10, 2018.</ref> as well as the fact that the university hosted several perverse events, such as "sex carnivals" and drag queens, with no opposition.<ref>Starnes, Todd (February 7, 2018). [http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2018/02/07/sex-carnivals-drag-queens-are-welcome-ken-ham-and-other-creationists-are-not-university-says.html Sex carnivals, drag queens are welcome, Ken Ham and other creationists are not, university says]. ''Fox News''. Retrieved February 8, 2018.</ref> A few days later, under pressure, UCO invited Ham again to speak,<ref>Multiple references:

*Jordahl, Steve (February 9, 2018). [https://onenewsnow.com/culture/2018/02/09/ham-shines-light-on-truth-gets-bumped Ham shines light on truth, gets bumped]. ''OneNewsNow''. Retrieved February 10, 2018.</ref> This happened despite the fact that the university signed two contracts with Ham to speak,<ref>Ham, Ken (February 9, 2018). [https://answersingenesis.org/blogs/ken-ham/2018/02/09/uco-cancellation-story-grows/ The UCO Cancellation Story Grows]. ''Answers in Genesis''. Retrieved February 10, 2018.</ref> as well as the fact that the university hosted several perverse events, such as "sex carnivals" and drag queens, with no opposition.<ref>Starnes, Todd (February 7, 2018). [https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2018/02/07/sex-carnivals-drag-queens-are-welcome-ken-ham-and-other-creationists-are-not-university-says.html Sex carnivals, drag queens are welcome, Ken Ham and other creationists are not, university says]. ''Fox News''. Retrieved February 8, 2018.</ref> A few days later, under pressure, UCO invited Ham again to speak,<ref>Multiple references:

*[http://www.foxnews.com/us/2018/02/15/creationists-speech-back-on-at-university-in-oklahoma.html Creationist's speech back on at university in Oklahoma]. ''Fox News'' (from the ''Associated Press''). February 15, 2018. Retrieved February 15, 2018.

*[https://www.foxnews.com/us/2018/02/15/creationists-speech-back-on-at-university-in-oklahoma.html Creationist's speech back on at university in Oklahoma]. ''Fox News'' (from the ''Associated Press''). February 15, 2018. Retrieved February 15, 2018.

*Roach, David (February 15, 2018). [http://www.bpnews.net/50378/ken-ham-reinvited-to-university-despite-protest Ken Ham re-invited to university despite protest]. ''Baptist Press''. Retrieved February 15, 2018.

*Roach, David (February 15, 2018). [http://www.bpnews.net/50378/ken-ham-reinvited-to-university-despite-protest Ken Ham re-invited to university despite protest]. ''Baptist Press''. Retrieved February 15, 2018.

*Hinton, Carla (February 15, 2018). [http://newsok.com/ken-ham-will-speak-on-uco-campus-after-all/article/5583535 Ken Ham will speak on UCO campus after all]. ''The Oklahoman''. Retrieved February 15, 2018.

*Hinton, Carla (February 15, 2018). [http://newsok.com/ken-ham-will-speak-on-uco-campus-after-all/article/5583535 Ken Ham will speak on UCO campus after all]. ''The Oklahoman''. Retrieved February 15, 2018.