Lincoln Zoo: Diversity Means No Bible Quotations

From the national paper of record, the Journal Star:

Noah and his animals will be a no show at this year’s Boo at the Zoo.

The sponsors of a booth featuring the biblical character — First Evangelical Covenant Church, daVinci’s Restaurants and Champions Fun Center — opted to end their long-time affiliation with the Lincoln Children’s Zoo fundraiser rather than comply with the zoo’s human diversity policy prohibiting religious verses and references.

Kelly Knudson of daVinci’s said that while he supports the zoo and Boo at the Zoo, his company and fellow sponsors will not comply with the order to stop handing out coupons with biblical stories on the back.

“We were very put off by it,” Knudson said Monday. “We have never had one complaint in 15 years. The church has had no complaints in 15 years.”

Zoo Executive Director John Chapo said the zoo’s policy reflects its commitment to the cultural diversity of Lincoln.

“We recognize and value the ethnic, religious and racial richness of our community, and we encourage mutual respect and understanding among all people,” Chapo said.

Boo at the Zoo started in 1977. It is the zoo’s largest fundraiser.

“We are trying to accomplish a couple of things: Raise needed funds for the zoo, and provide a safe trick-or-treating opportunity, and welcome all of our community,” Chapo said.

Toward the goal of welcoming all, he said, the zoo told the daVinci’s group to remove the Bible story of Noah’s Ark from the back of the coupons to be distributed during Boo at the Zoo.

“We encouraged them to put on their name, their address, their hours, their contact information, their Web site and even their children’s program times,” Chapo said.

The zoo said the daVinci’s treat station could continue with its Noah’s Ark theme, which included a model ark and costumed characters of Noah and the animals.

“The handing out of the Bible verse was the issue,” Chapo said.

Knudson agreed.

“The story on the back is a big deal,” he said. “The church was very upset about removing it, and so were we. We are a Christian company, and that (Boo at the Zoo) is one of our outreaches.”

How is it advancing diversity for the zoo to exclude Bible quotations?