Already in a fight with the state of Kentucky after it withdrew over $18 million in tax rebates for his Noah’s Ark-based theme park, creationist Ken Ham has rolled out the big guns, publishing letters from children imploring the governor to reconsider.

Heeding Isaiah 11:6 (“…and a little child will lead them all“), Ham shared a sampling of the kids’ letters on his Answers In Genesis website, with one child writing, “Kentucky doesn’t want to be pushed around by non-believers.”

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In December, Kentucky withdrew tax rebates for the Ark Encounter park in Williamston, Kentucky, that were potentially worth more than $18 million. Kentucky Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet Secretary Bob Stewart claimed the project had transformed from a tourist attraction to an “extension of AIG’s ministry.”

Ham has refused to hire non-Christians at the park, which ran afoul of state law and cost the park its tax-exempt status.

The fundamentalist Christian has since filed a lawsuit saying Kentucky’s refusal discriminates against Christians.

On his website, Ham published letters written to Governor Steve Beshear — and copied to him — from children of a Kentucky business owner who wrote, “I am stumped on coming up with a reason of why the Ark Project is a drawback for Kentucky. There is no explanation except my belief that a very loud, influential minority is in the ear of our Kentucky government officials.”

One child, a 12-year-old, wrote, “I am not just speaking for me but for the people of Kentucky, for the Christians of Kentucky, and for the next generation of Christians.”

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“What harm does it cause having the word of God being taught in a Christian Park?” the child continued. “If you go to a Christian park, what do you expect to hear – the word of God! If people don’t want to hear about Him or be taught Biblical truths, then they don’t have to go.”

One 9-year-old was more defiant, writing, “We aren’t letting a different religion boss us and tell us we can’t have a Christian Ark with Christian people working and talking about God.”

The letter from the 9-year-old is posted below: