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>> Photos: Creation Museum

PETERSBURG, KY. — Members of Answers in Genesis believe they have evidence to show the Earth is 6,000 years old and that the universe and all its creatures were created in six, 24-hour days.

The scientific community believes it has evidence to show the universe is 14 billion years old, the Earth almost 5 billion years old and all of its known creatures the products of 3 billion years of evolution.

So where lies the common ground between these views?

There isn't any, which is one reason why the grand opening Monday of the $27 million Answers in Genesis Creation Museum in Northern Kentucky will be greeted by protests from scientists and educators.

"No qualified spokesperson or group for the scientific community recognizes any part of this as a museum," said Steve Rissing, a professor of biology at Ohio State University and a board member of Ohio Citizens for Science, an anti-creationist organization.

Ken Ham, president of Answers in Genesis, said he and his museum staff "all love science here. I'm a former science teacher myself." The difference between himself and the protesters, Ham said, "is that they've already ruled out God as evidence."

Answers in Genesis believes the first book of the Bible is a literal account of the history of the world. So do its supporters, enough of whom contributed money to the new museum that it will open debt-free.

Organizers of Monday's "Rally for Reason" at the gates of the new facility believe it presents a false account of the history of man and the Earth and is aimed at influencing impressionable young minds. "The whole thing — right down to the Dragon Bookstore — is a transparent effort to recruit young people," Rissing said.

Whether public schools take their students on field trips to the museum is up to the 612 individual school districts in Ohio, said Ohio Department of Education spokesman J.C. Benton. "We trust the (local) school boards across the state will make the right decisions on behalf of their students."

HOW TO GO: The Creation Museum

What: A "walk-through history" of a 6,000-year-old universe, based on a literal interpretation of the Bible.

Highlights: A 78-seat planetarium, life-sized people and dinosaur animatronics and a special-effects theater complete with misty sea breezes and rumbling seats.

Where: 7 miles, or 2 exits on I-275, west of the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport, at 2800 Bullittsburg Church Road in Petersburg.

Hours: Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday (June 3 to Labor Day only), 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.; closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve/Day, New Year's Eve/Day.

Admission: Adult (13-59 yrs) $19.95; Senior (60 yrs & up) $14.95; Children (5-12 yrs) $9.95; Children (under 5 yrs) Free; Planetarium (w/ admission) $5; Planetarium alone $6.

Museum information: Call (888) 582-4253 or visit www.creation

museum.org/.

>> Photos: Creation Museum

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2437 or jdebrosse@DaytonDailyNews.com.