This documentary offers a glimpse at the behind the scenes at one of the largest creationist theme parks out there, while also covering the broader picture of how it integrated itself and interacts with the nearby town. The movie gives us a perspective from multiple points of view, including an Ark Encounter employee who creates beautiful exhibits, former young Earth creationist who distanced himself from the movement and a geologist who points out irregularities in Ark Encounter's business practices.
We can also see how the nearby town changed from the time before the construction of the theme park.
Definitely worth a watch.
18 Reviews
compelling and discouraging
dneher9 February 2020
The most dispiriting take-away from this movie is its illustration of how vulnerable the officials of a struggling city can be to the blandishments of a savvy entrepreneur whose project promises to restore some luster to the city. The problem is more troubling than normal in this case because public funds were mis-spent in the service of a parochial religious enterprise.
More a documentary about the debate and attraction than the actual debate itself
YRLY59E9 August 2020
This is a weird documentary. I'm not sure I'd call it a documentary in a regular sense.
It's more about the two sides debating one another over an attraction than the fundamental presentation of the backgrounds as to why each group thinks it's way. But there's more. Then there is the guise of the political tax breaks and such the attraction received and how it would effect the town. However you could be a creationist and still disagree with the presentation depicted by the group that did the Ark, or one who believes in science and disagree with their perspective as well.
Interesting movie. I'm just not sure what it's really a documentary of. To me this is the documentary of the thought process of those related to attraction of the ark itself.
It's more about the two sides debating one another over an attraction than the fundamental presentation of the backgrounds as to why each group thinks it's way. But there's more. Then there is the guise of the political tax breaks and such the attraction received and how it would effect the town. However you could be a creationist and still disagree with the presentation depicted by the group that did the Ark, or one who believes in science and disagree with their perspective as well.
Interesting movie. I'm just not sure what it's really a documentary of. To me this is the documentary of the thought process of those related to attraction of the ark itself.
Another shocker from Kentuckystan
joesul3 March 2020
Right from the time that I read the title of this movie to the credits I enjoyed it all. The folks that created this did a great job of explaining both sides of the situation. It was interesting to watch as we get to learn the personal experiences of people that are centered in the film on both sides from their time as kids to adults. It's too bad that we didn't get to watch interviews from Mr.Ken Ham, the person in charge of the Ark on this subject but the producers did a great job of filling in all of the footage from previous public appearances.
Former employee: Excellent documentary
messenjah1012 March 2020
I worked for Answers in Genesis for three years, from 3/16 - 2/19. Throughout most of that time, I worked at the Ark Encounter in IT. This documentary goes easy on AiG for all the problems they have, both internally as a company and externally toward the community. I applaud the filmmakers for remaining as unbiased as possible.
Neither informative or balanced
nancyldraper29 February 2020
The run up to the opening of theme park in 1916 called the Ark Encounter evoked a hot debate. This is more of a presentation of the debate rather than a presentation of the ideas behind the debate. The documentary highlights three individuals (a geologist, a former creationist, a self-titled freethinker) who came to the issues with deeply seated preconceptions which remained unchanged. The documentary was neither informative or balanced. I give the documentary a 5 (meh) out of 10. {Documentary}
Ark Encounter Charlatan Steals $18 milllion + interest from Kentuckians
kclaxon-155624 March 2020
Thils film documents creationist Ken Ham's manipulation of governments and religion to build a multimillion dollar profitable business for himself. A University of Kentucky paleontologist and former protege of Ken Ham's do what they can to protect Kentucky taxpayers from being bilked out of more than $18 million dollars to support Ham's for-profit propaganda enterprise, but corrupt politicians foil their efforts. Ham is building an entire empire dedicated to brainwashing religious fundamentalists into making him rich. And Kentucky taxpayers are supporting him.
Must-see for anyone who believes science...or does not
davidjennmacmillan21 November 2019
Warning: Spoilers
A gripping, sobering exposé of America's relationship with science, We Believe In Dinosaurs tells the story of the largest science denial movement in the United States as displayed in the development, construction, and growth of the Answers In Genesis Ark Encounter theme park.
Located in Kentucky, the Ark Encounter is advertised as a for-profit tourist attraction, garnering financial support from both local and state tax dollars, all while its creators intend for it to act as a veritable temple for religious teaching and conversion. The Ark Encounter offers a sweeping alternative to mainstream science, presenting a world in which humans and dinosaurs walked together just thousands of years ago. But this is not their fantasy. They maintain an aggressive team of credentialed researchers and former scientists who argue fiercely for the validity of their worldview.
Despite the sensitive and often-disturbing nature of the content, the film avoids using outside sources to provide commentary on creationism. Instead, when the filmmakers aren't directly interviewing the creationists at the Ark Encounter, they tell the story through the eyes and experiences of three Kentucky natives: a local geologist who fought bitterly against the tax incentives that made the Ark possible, a talented artist who deeply believes in the message he is promoting at the Ark Encounter, and a former creationist who came to reject the teachings he once championed. As the Ark Encounter moves from an idea to a project to a functioning attraction, their narratives weave together in a story that is as compelling as it is alarming.
With science under attack from so many directions, this particular form of science denial is deeply concerning, both for the future of education and for concerns over public policy. The film avoids pitting religion against science, giving examples of local religious leaders who see no conflict between their faith and the findings of mainstream science. Frustratingly, however, it offers no magic bullet to counteract the science denial it so skillfully exposes. Perhaps, however, that is the filmmakers' intention: not to fix the relationship between America and science, but to invite a conversation.
Located in Kentucky, the Ark Encounter is advertised as a for-profit tourist attraction, garnering financial support from both local and state tax dollars, all while its creators intend for it to act as a veritable temple for religious teaching and conversion. The Ark Encounter offers a sweeping alternative to mainstream science, presenting a world in which humans and dinosaurs walked together just thousands of years ago. But this is not their fantasy. They maintain an aggressive team of credentialed researchers and former scientists who argue fiercely for the validity of their worldview.
Despite the sensitive and often-disturbing nature of the content, the film avoids using outside sources to provide commentary on creationism. Instead, when the filmmakers aren't directly interviewing the creationists at the Ark Encounter, they tell the story through the eyes and experiences of three Kentucky natives: a local geologist who fought bitterly against the tax incentives that made the Ark possible, a talented artist who deeply believes in the message he is promoting at the Ark Encounter, and a former creationist who came to reject the teachings he once championed. As the Ark Encounter moves from an idea to a project to a functioning attraction, their narratives weave together in a story that is as compelling as it is alarming.
With science under attack from so many directions, this particular form of science denial is deeply concerning, both for the future of education and for concerns over public policy. The film avoids pitting religion against science, giving examples of local religious leaders who see no conflict between their faith and the findings of mainstream science. Frustratingly, however, it offers no magic bullet to counteract the science denial it so skillfully exposes. Perhaps, however, that is the filmmakers' intention: not to fix the relationship between America and science, but to invite a conversation.
Fairly good introduction to the controversial Ark Encounter
thecksocial2 March 2020
I've been following the progress about the Ark Encounter since before it began. This story gives a good introduction to what it is and the controversial elements. Ken Ham, proprietor, doesn't like it because he wants to control all of the narrative. To me the highlight was the hero of the story Dan Phelps a local geologist who seems to be fighting a one man battle to make sure the Ark Encounter and its various violations of church and state are elucidated.
Honest and keeps my interest; would like to watch more of this
jnm23627 November 2019
A balanced look into a movement in which I grew up and which I no longer accept. The documentary favors the mainstream scientific view and discusses some of the what and why around creationism. My only criticism is a tiny and maybe a silly one: the background music felt a bit leading in a few places. Overall in spite of that, I like that the film respects your space by letting you form your own conclusions about the conversations it presents. I would like more of this content.
Were you there?
alfa-624-37668821 March 2020
Ive always seen the US as a leading force of science in the world. Turns out an anti science museum, spreading the biblical message of creationism, is massively susidised by public funding.
This documentary shows how rural America, the godfearing working class, attacks science succesfully deep in the heart. The children who grow up here probably never will make it in science. They stay backwards and obviously never will become America's future leaders. Its
unbearable to see how they are set up against science and evolution. I wasnt there when evolution happened but we can still determine how old certain fossils are by radioactive decay.
If things can only be true because mankind faced it, then heaven, god's home, is untrue because no man ever came back from there and so the rest of religion is believe and not fact
Kudos on this Expose' about a Juck Science Amusement Park
PeaceAndLongLife5 March 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Well, the creationists have been laughed out of halls of science. They have to turn to politicians to get their ideas taught in the public schools, but then they run into the risk of litigation from the "evil" secularists. When all else fails, build an amusement park that makes it fun to learn about mythology -- I mean creationism science (yes, that's a contradiction in terms). While you're it at, get subsidies from the taxpayer and paint bright pictures of booming economic development that don't pan out.
This documentary focuses well on the Ark Encounter and the local community, as opposed to getting opinions of faraway groups. It includes interviews with local atheist groups, employees and former employees of Ark Encounter, local scientists, the local townspeople, and nearby church leaders who don't feel that evolution conflicts with their religion. David MacMillan's journey from being a Kentucky creationist and writer for Answers in Genesis to being a science advocate is quite interesting.
Needless to say, Ken Ham wasn't happy with this film. In his critique of the film, which he calls a "hatchet job", he said the reason that Williamstown, KY, didn't enjoy a boost to its economy was that the town center on the opposite site of the interstate from the Ark and is a half-mile from the interstate. But Ham knew about the town's location when he lobbied it to help finance his park. So were the town's folk fools to believe him?
Of course, it's sad that children are being taught at the Ark and Creationism Museum that the stories in Genesis about divine creation and the flood are real, and that the entire history of the Earth can be crunched into 6000 years. Ken Ham instructs them to say "where you there?" when anyone tries to prove the Earth is any older. On the Answers in Genesis site, Ken Ham's response for the non-believers who say no one was there is that God was there and the Bible is his infallible word. Case closed.
To liven up the documentary, I would have asked Ham some tricky questions about Genesis. These came from actually reading Genesis. For instance, where did he get information on the "wickedness" that existed before the flood, since the bible provides no details on it? There are two stories in Genesis on the types of animals brought on to the ark. One is of well-known story about two of every animal being brought on to the ark, while a less-known version has seven of every "clean" animal and two of every unclean animal being brought on to the ark. How does Ham know which is correct? After Cain kills Abel, he flees to the east and eventually has a wife. But if Adam and Eve were the first humans and had no daughters, where did Mrs. Cain come from? Ken Ham: Were you there?
I highly recommend Bill Nye's debate with Ken Ham, where Nye makes mincemeat out of Ham's nonsense.
This documentary focuses well on the Ark Encounter and the local community, as opposed to getting opinions of faraway groups. It includes interviews with local atheist groups, employees and former employees of Ark Encounter, local scientists, the local townspeople, and nearby church leaders who don't feel that evolution conflicts with their religion. David MacMillan's journey from being a Kentucky creationist and writer for Answers in Genesis to being a science advocate is quite interesting.
Needless to say, Ken Ham wasn't happy with this film. In his critique of the film, which he calls a "hatchet job", he said the reason that Williamstown, KY, didn't enjoy a boost to its economy was that the town center on the opposite site of the interstate from the Ark and is a half-mile from the interstate. But Ham knew about the town's location when he lobbied it to help finance his park. So were the town's folk fools to believe him?
Of course, it's sad that children are being taught at the Ark and Creationism Museum that the stories in Genesis about divine creation and the flood are real, and that the entire history of the Earth can be crunched into 6000 years. Ken Ham instructs them to say "where you there?" when anyone tries to prove the Earth is any older. On the Answers in Genesis site, Ken Ham's response for the non-believers who say no one was there is that God was there and the Bible is his infallible word. Case closed.
To liven up the documentary, I would have asked Ham some tricky questions about Genesis. These came from actually reading Genesis. For instance, where did he get information on the "wickedness" that existed before the flood, since the bible provides no details on it? There are two stories in Genesis on the types of animals brought on to the ark. One is of well-known story about two of every animal being brought on to the ark, while a less-known version has seven of every "clean" animal and two of every unclean animal being brought on to the ark. How does Ham know which is correct? After Cain kills Abel, he flees to the east and eventually has a wife. But if Adam and Eve were the first humans and had no daughters, where did Mrs. Cain come from? Ken Ham: Were you there?
I highly recommend Bill Nye's debate with Ken Ham, where Nye makes mincemeat out of Ham's nonsense.
Bravo to the filmmakers and Mr. Phelps
melanielovell-346736 April 2020
The Boston Globe provided a free online screening of this film last weekend and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Kudos to the filmmakers for showing the many sides of this project and also making a movie that is compelling, entertaining and informative. I particularly found the interviews with Dan Phelps, the Kentucky-based paleontologist featured in the film, riveting. Mr. Phelps has worked so hard to point out the marriage of church and state under this project. It must be difficult to be one of the few people within his (professional/geographic) community willing to go on the record to oppose the tax benefits given to Ken Ham's vision and its anti-science agenda. I hope that the release of this documentary has increased his profile within the scientific community and that he has gained new supporters.
Thought-provoking and informative documentary
krise-223226 April 2020
Wasn't sure what to expect, but the subject was handled in a very thoughtful, balanced way with respectful interviews from people on both sides of the issue. Made me sad both for the town in Kentucky that was sold a lot of promises (to get their buy-in and lucrative tax breaks) as well as all the kids who are being taught a warped version of science by the Ark and the Museum of Creation. Central to the story, Dan (a scientist) and David (former creationist) are hugely inspirational, but want to mention that Doug (a creationist) was also treated with respect and shown as a talented and likable artist. Keep fighting the good fight, Dan!
Loved it
packedsatisfaction7 April 2020
This film didn't go far enough
casezy7 April 2020
This is an excellent primer for people unfamiliar with the issue. I've been fascinated by this whole thing since it started. Continue to do research on this to find out more. It's far more disgusting than presented here.
Shines light on important issue
schottenstein13 October 2020
This documentary was very interesting. Jaw-dropping in fact. I am still dumbfounded by the number of people in the world that buy into the anti-evolutionist movement. I knew about the Creation Museum and the Ark Museum in Kentucky but I didn't understand the full scale at which they were using religious dogma to try to discredit scientific facts, like evolution--A SCIENTIFIC FACT.
Former Creationist: An Important Insight into American Unreason
thplatypus24 October 2023
Having visited the Ark Encounter and Creation Museum, I found this documentary to be an excellent supplementary look at the history of these attractions' conception, construction, fundraising... and opposition. 137 Films is mostly neutral in its presentation, allowing people on both sides of the debate to have their say. I can imagine anybody watching this film and maintaining their personal beliefs, but the Creationists may find themselves wondering at the methods Ken Ham and Answers in Genesis use to funnel money and squash dissent. I was raised as a Christian, attended Christian schools from 2nd-12th grades, and was a literal six-day Creationist when I started attending college. Thankfully, I received some remedial science education and thrilled at the real explanatory power, problem solving, and consistency of science, as opposed to the mental back flips and defensive posture of Christian apologetics. It's fascinating to see how people like Ken Ham not only maintain their narrow worldview, but monetize it.
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