The creationist museum, Ark Encounter in Williamstown, Kentucky, denies the age of the Earth, thinks Jesus Christ existed with the dinosaurs and a slew of other false scientific narratives. But after announcing that they would stay open because they prize cleanliness, as cited in The Bible, there was a considerable response, Patheos’ “The Friendly Atheist” wrote.

ADVERTISEMENT

“Answers in Genesis and its biblical attractions, the Creation Museum and the Ark Encounter, have always placed a very high standard on cleanliness and sanitation at all its facilities and offices, which assists in illness prevention,” a statement from Ark Encounters said before ultimately changing their position. “In fact, in guest surveys, the cleanliness of our attractions is consistently rated as “excellent” by an overwhelming percentage of our guests.”

“Due to the extensive publicity concerning the COVID-19 (coronavirus) and its effects, we have been taking additional steps and preventive measures, in line with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other health agencies,” the statement continued. “We use known disinfectants approved by the EPA to deal with this virus and others and routinely sanitize and clean throughout our facilities, including restrooms, kitchens, and transport vehicles such as our public shuttle buses. The sanitization and cleaning occur throughout the day during normal business operations as well as a very thorough cleaning in the evening by trained housekeeping professionals.”

It’s unclear what the magic disinfectants are, but no amount of disinfecting can stop a virus if someone sneezes or coughs near another person. The Ark Encounter didn’t intend to test people for fever upon entering, but that wasn’t a recommendation from Genesis.

Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life; he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin. Proverbs 13:3 — Ark Encounter (@ArkEncounter) March 15, 2020

ADVERTISEMENT

“This is why so many people criticize Answers in Genesis,” wrote The Friendly Atheist. “It’s not just their rejection of evolution. That’s philosophically and scientifically wrong, but that’s not new. What’s dangerous is developing the mindset that says scientists shouldn’t be trusted.”

See some of the responses to the Ark Encounter below:

If you think ignorance runs deep with Jehovah's Witnesses (it does) – it runs even deeper with Ken Ham and his @ArkEncounter Encounter Creationism Museum, which refuses to close during the Covid19 outbreak, stating that they have a "clean" facility. Stay in school, kids. https://t.co/zsx68k8vp9 — Mark O'Donnell (@Mark_J_ODonnell) March 15, 2020

ADVERTISEMENT

https://twitter.com/joesonka/status/1238952652722991104

ADVERTISEMENT

Presented without comment: the Ark Encounter and presumably the Creation Museum will remain open during the coronavirus pandemic. https://t.co/VPjXyp51Qp — Josh (@themeparkjosh) March 16, 2020

Sounds like a great way to spread #COVIDー19! — յօհղ (@OrAroundTen) March 15, 2020

ADVERTISEMENT

Read the full report from Patheos.