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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think school trip shouldn't be to a creationist zoo?

281 replies

SouperSal · 27/05/2016 08:21

DH and I have issues about animal welfare and creationism.

Class at DD's (non-faith state school) had a trip to a creationist zoo this week and now DDs teacher wants to go. We're not best pleased.

WIBU.

OP posts:
MaidOfStars · 27/05/2016 08:22

In the UK??

insancerre · 27/05/2016 08:22

Whats a creationist zoo?

londonrach · 27/05/2016 08:23

Whats a creastionist zoo? (Rushes off to google, i love mn i learn something new every day)

Brekekekex · 27/05/2016 08:25

The one near Bristol? YADNBU!

Iambubbles86 · 27/05/2016 08:26

Let me guess... Noah's ark zoo farm?? Surely there can't be more than one lol. Its actually really good there and there isn't any preaching, there is a reasonable amount of boards near the soft play area outlining their theories and beliefs but honestly you hardly notice, I wouldn't worry about it

curren · 27/05/2016 08:27

It wouldn't bother me.

LouBlue1507 · 27/05/2016 08:27

Just don't let your DD go? I don't see the problem! Hmm

PippaPug · 27/05/2016 08:27

Is that the Noah Ark one in Bristol? I have been there I can't remember it being that over the top but I went approx 3 years ago

Most that kind of thing goes over children's heads and they are just excited to go on a school trip with their friends

LunaLoveg00d · 27/05/2016 08:27

The zoo bit wouldn't bother me. I used to love my trips to Edinburgh Zoo as a school child and learned a lot.

The creationist bit would, especially if they're presenting it as fact.

Original poster
SouperSal · 27/05/2016 08:28

Yes, the Noah's ark one. It's about an hour away. It's not so much about preaching, more that DH and I are uncomfortable about giving money/support to such an organisation.

If they went for an hour in the opposite direction they'd get to a lovely secular farm park with great facilities. Perhaps I'll suggest that as an alternative. (DD's teacher and I have a good relationship, hence she's raised this with me).

OP posts:
JazzAnnNonMouse · 27/05/2016 08:28

Is it in Bristol by any chance?
I know lots of schools do a trip there and if it is noahs ark it is a good day out. The playing bits are fun and the animals are alright the talks are 😅😒:-S😂
And the written information is interesting too - is your dd old enough to be able to have a conversation with her about what some people believe and not others eg if they visited a religious building eg mosque church etc?
I think I would also have mixed views on it as a school trip. I wouldn't stop them from going but might write a letter to the head afterwards .

dementedpixie · 27/05/2016 08:28

Didn't even know they existed but they do:

www.noahsarkzoofarm.co.uk

Addictedtocustardcreams · 27/05/2016 08:29

Surely there aren't many of these so it must be the one just outside Bristol? I haven't been but it's near my parents. They have a religious belief & even they thought it was a bit over the top. However isn't all the creationist stuff inside a special creationist barn? I don't think visitors all go in that bit....do you know what the other school trip did/saw?

FranHastings · 27/05/2016 08:29

YADNBU if it's Noah's Ark Zoo farm.

Original poster
SouperSal · 27/05/2016 08:29

Just don't let your DD go? I don't see the problem

Yes, because DD wouldn't think anything of being the only child at school while the others were at the zoo. Hmm

OP posts:
LouBlue1507 · 27/05/2016 08:30

Stop trying to control the school based on your beliefs! Bloody hell, if you don't like it just keep DD off for the day!

HarveySchlumpfenburger · 27/05/2016 08:30

YANBU.

Schools should not be doing trips to this zoo. I'm sure there are plenty of other places to visit that would be able to cover the areas of the NC that would be met by this visit.

luckiestgirl · 27/05/2016 08:30

Would you have a problem with her visiting a Church? Or a Mosque? Or a Gurdwara?

OreosOreosOreos · 27/05/2016 08:30

If it's the Noah's ark one I would t have a problem - we took DSS there last year for his birthday for a zoo keepers experience - it was brilliant and much less expensive than anywhere else!

There are some small signs up
in places, but if you didn't stop to read them you wouldn't even know.

We had an interesting discussion on the way home about people believing different things.

LouBlue1507 · 27/05/2016 08:31

So the whole school trip should be arranged around your beliefs and DDs feelings? Get a grip!

NaiceVillageOfTheDammed · 27/05/2016 08:34

I'd be pulling my DS out from the trip.

If it's Noah's Ark, they've had animal welfare issues (a few years ago) on top of the creationism agenda.

This is not an appropriate school trip.

Original poster
SouperSal · 27/05/2016 08:34

And the written information is interesting too - is your dd old enough to be able to have a conversation with her about what some people believe and not others eg if they visited a religious building eg mosque church etc?

Absolutely. We do have that kind of discussion and always have. (She's 5.) want her to know and appreciate all belief systems and make her own choice. Don't want this "God made all the animals, evolution is false" crap presented as fact.

OP posts:
Original poster
SouperSal · 27/05/2016 08:35

Would you have a problem with her visiting a Church

Not at all. Their theme this term has been animals. Teacher wants them to see animals. This can be done in many many places that don't have this agenda.

OP posts:
londonrach · 27/05/2016 08:36

Wow, impressed if their animal welfare is better than other zoos. Your dd will enjoy the experience. Sounds like you can avoid the religious bit.

Original poster
SouperSal · 27/05/2016 08:36

Cut and paste fail. First religious building DD ever went inside always a mosque. We've been to several different kinds of churches for weddings, christenings and funerals and talked about it afterwards. Some relatives are Jewish so we'll no doubt see inside a synagogue at some point.

OP posts:
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