We had a customer yell at us yesterday for putting Creation magazine in our science section. They were angry as hell saying that Creation was full of anti science garbage.
We placed Creation where the magazine distributor has asked us to place it. Also, we do not have a religious magazine area.
Having now looked at the magazine I can understand their concerns. This is not a science magazine even though it;’s dressed up to look like one. Creation is published by Answers in Genesis. From their website: Answers in Genesis is an apologetics (i.e., Christianity-defending) ministry, dedicated to enabling Christians to defend their faith, and to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ effectively.
I have no issue with the publication of this magazine. However, they need to use a more appropriate cover so the purpose of the magazine is clearer. They also need to provide better direction as to where the magazine ought be placed on newsagent shelves.
The world has become confused enough with the whole Intelligent Design versus Evolution discussion. I don’t need to add to that on the shelves of my store.
The publisher of the magazine will never provide a clearer cover or want their magazine placed in the reglious section because that would disclose their motives. Just like people promoting Intelligent Design, magazines like these are made to dress religion up as science to try and give it legitimacy among the general public. Unfortunately because the general public dont have a strong enough background in science it is easy to confuse them with technical mumbo jumbo and make them start questioning some of the basic truths of the universe. This kind of trickery is no different to TV hypnotists or tarot card readers. People who need to promote their religion by confusing people into faith really have to start asking themselves some hard questions.
“Creation” magazine is the worst kind of pseudoscientific tripe and has no place on any newsagent’s shelves. Obviously in a pluralist society, Answers in Genesis are as entitled to publish it as the people who publish new-age magazines or magazines devoted to UFOlogy. If it can’t be banned, then my suggestion is to place it with the new age mags.
Creation Vs Science? Creation is not unscientific at all. The title should read “Creation Vs Evolution. It takes a lot more “faith” to believe in the absurd religon of evolution. For thousands of years it has been understood the world was created by God and is only 6000 or so years old. Then in the 1800’s Evolution was “created”.
Regardless of whether you agree with its science or not, it does address scientific issues, albeit from a religious point-of-view. Therefore, it does belong in the science section.
“The world has become confused enough with the whole Intelligent Design versus Evolution discussion. I don’t need to add to that on the shelves of my store.”
If you removed everything that caused confusion or disagreement, you’d have nothing left to sell! Let people read it if they want to, and then they can make up their own minds. Who are you to decide what should or shouldn’t be available for people to read?
Ben is correct, especially about the fact that Creation Magazine addresses scientific issues. “Nathan,” its clear that it does and if anyone can’t actually see that then they are clearly not qualified to comment. Do some research, go read a book or “magazine” and get your facts straight. There is nothing wrong with differing opinions being discussed in print and if anyone tells anyone otherwise then they may as well be labeled a communist dictator.
I just wanted to say thankyou everyone. I had seen this magazine before but didn’t bother buying it and did so because I wanted to see what the discussion was about. I am not a religious person and was not offended by any reference to religion found within it. I guess if I had the devil in me, I might have found it offensive. Overall I found it very interesting and intelligent reading material. I never believed I evolved from “one” freaky species of ape, yeh like one species just happened to develop speech. This magazine scientifically proves how theories are just that . . . theories. Nothing more nothing less.