Look who showed up to Ken Ham’s ‘Ark Encounter’ theme park

Creationist and Kentucky’s Creation Museum founder Ken Ham built what he believes to be a replica of Noah’s Ark. With help from taxpayer subsidies, Ham has spent around $101 million on the project — and as the Los Angeles Times reports, he claims the exhibit “will stand as proof that the stories of the Bible are true.”

Ham and his followers believe the bible should serve as a historical record since it’s to be interpreted literally. This premise has led Ham to become one of the most widely recognized proponents of the idea that the earth is only around 6,000 years old. In order to make this dogma consistent with the known natural world, he’s had to extrapolate theories (from astoundingly juvenile logic) to maintain his core belief that dinosaurs actually lived alongside humans while key events in the bible were taking place.

The Ark Encounter‘s grand opening was this Thursday, but back in May before its debut, Ham invited an old adversary to come by for a free tour. This Friday, Bill Nye “The Science Guy” took Ham up on his offer.

According to Ham, a spirited debated took place as they walked through the ark, which was built exactly according to the dimensions dictated in the Bible. Pictures posted to Ham’s website show a throng of people following them, listening intently while snapping pics with their smartphones. Apparently there’s video of the debate which hasn’t been posted yet.

Either way, it looks like Nye’s presence caused quite a stir.

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Ham wasted no time in trying to bring Nye into the fold. He wrote on his website about an exchange they had as the meeting drew to a close.

We’re glad Bill Nye took me up on my friendly offer to show him the Ark. During his visit I was able to personally share the gospel with him very clearly. On the first deck, I asked him, before a crowd of people including many young people, if I could pray with him and was able to pray for him there. Our prayer is that what he saw will have an impact on him and that he will be drawn to the gospel of Jesus Christ that is clearly presented at the Ark.

UPDATE: The footage from Ham and Nye’s impromptu debate on the Ark will be featured in the upcoming documentary The Bill Nye Film, which is due out next year.

All images via Ken Ham’s Facebook

Sky Palma

Before launching DeadState back in 2012, Sky Palma has been blogging about politics, social issues and religion for over a decade. He lives in Los Angeles and also enjoys Brazilian jiu jitsu, chess, music and art.

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