Three sponsors back out of Boo at the Zoo over religious rule
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By ERIN ANDERSEN / Lincoln 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.
The 31st annual Boo at the Zoo will run from 5:30 to 8:30 each night, Oct. 26-30, at the Lincoln Children’s Zoo.
Children can trick-or-treat at 30 stations in the zoo.
Tickets are $6 per person (free for members); plus $3 for a required treat bag; $3 early bird passes let visitors in at 5:20 p.m. Call 475-6741.
StarTran will provide free shuttle bus service every 20 minutes from three designated parking areas, 4:30-9 each night. The shuttle will run from lots at Lincoln High School, Ideal Grocery/Stinson’s Hardware (on the west side of 27th Street, north of Capitol Parkway) and Antelope Park. Call 476-1234.
“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.”
Saint Paul United Methodist Church has participated in Boo at the Zoo for at least the last eight years and will continue to do so, said Cathy Link, director of children’s and family ministry at the church.
“We view it as an opportunity to tell people what our programs are, and once they are in the building that is when we do our job of evangelizing to them,” Link said.
Knudson’s group also was upset about the timing of notice from the zoo. He said the church did not learn of the policy until Oct. 10, and Knudson himself did not learn of it until Oct. 17, when coupons were already being printed and candy purchased.
“We have been there 15 years and we have never pushed our religion on anybody,” Knudson said.
Asked how he would he feel if all religions — including non-Christian ones — were allowed to hand out materials quoting verses and stories, Knudson wasn’t sure.
“It would depend on what they were doing,” he said.
Link said she sees the issue from both sides.
“The zoo is a city-run program. They do have to have some part of separation,” Link said. “Lincoln has grown to have such a huge variety ... We have to be aware of all the cultural and religious changes out there.”
Knudson said First Evangelical, daVinci’s and Champions won’t go back unless something changes.
“Hopefully they will change their policy and we will be back next year,” Knudson said. “But if they don’t, we won’t.”
Although he is frustrated by the controversy, Chapo said the zoo must stand by its policy.
“The zoo has worked hard to welcome our diverse community. We have welcome activities in five languages and signs in three languages,” he said. “We want to welcome and embrace all cultures. And we want them to feel comfortable and welcome.”
Reach Erin Andersen at 473-7217 or eandersen@journalstar.com.
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