American Museum of Natural History Part I (the rant)

The parking lot was right on 81st Street, so it was perfect. When we pulled into the garage, the manager immediately said “Full!” to which we produced our reservation print-out and he said “this saved your life.” Last time, we parked at the museum out of laziness to drive around, and spent $70 on parking alone.

We decided to make the trip, and initially buy a membership this year because we are studying astronomy in our homeschool. I thought a trip to the Hayden Planetarium would be both fun and educational. I have fond memories of going there as a child and learning about the planets and constellations, and I want the same little experience for the kids. Astronomy was one of my favorite subjects a s a child.

There were two shows to choose from: Passport to the Universe narrated by Tom Hanks, or The Search For Life: Are We Alone? narrated by Harrisoon Ford. We chose the first one as it seemed more appropriate. I was a bit disappointed as there was not much substance to it. The description said 40 minutes and it lasted 20 something. It was just lots of special effects and speculation about how big the universe is. Polo was also disappointed in the amount of speculation vs. actual substance. The kids enjoyed it though, so that is OK.

After the show, we walked around. The museum has grown immensely since I was last there five years ago. There was too much to see. I both enjoyed the exhibits, and was greatly saddened by them because they obviously catered to a certain population that does not include religious Christians.

The biggest exhibits right now are surrounding Darwin and his theory of evolution. Here is where my husband will start getting annoyed with me for always doing “the Catholic thing”, but to embrace Darwin so whole heartedly is not just religion. Evolution is a theory as valid as any other theory. It is unproven. If it were proven, it would be a law. So why is this theory taught as if it were a scientific law? Why are not other theories given equal credibility? I don’t know if I am a creationist, or more into “intelligent design” (I have to say I am more likely to believe intelligent design, but I find creationism more fun), but I know that Charles Darwin designed a theory to support the fact that he embraced the teachings of Malthus who basically opposed any kind of Christian charity. And of course who else, Ladies and gentlemen, was a follower of Malthus? Yes, of course Margaret Sanger.

On top of the whole evolution thing, there were many really neat cultural anthropological exhibits, but they were so anti-Christian tainted. For example, there is a new exhibit on Asia. There is a display on Zoroastrianism in Asia, an exhibit on Jews in Asia, a huge exhibit on Buddhists in Japan, no mention of Catholics though. I find it really, really weird that you can have so much to say about all 5,000 followers of Zoroastrianism in India, and have a huge display of Buddha in Japan, but never mentioning Christianity in these places. It is funny because the friends I have had from these regions were all Catholic, and I did not meet them in “catholic” circles so-to-speak.

So that was frustrating. I get so tired of being weird and feeling left out. I sometimes wish I was blind and followed the crowd so I didn’t have to get my panties in a bunch whenever I go anywhere, and didn’t have to do “the Catholic thing”.

Afterwards, we met my father in law on 61st St, and visited with him for a while. My father in law has no understanding of me whatsoever. Not that he really cares or I am so important, but we never have any common ground to sustain a conversation when I am around him. I spend a lot of time smiling and nodding.