In even a marginally reasonable country, “Support Evolution” would be as ridiculous a post title as “Support Gravity.”

This, however, is not (currently) a reasonable country.

The American Museum of Natural History in New York recently opened Darwin, an exhibit detailing the naturalist’s contributions to modern science.

The exhibition is funded entirely by private donations, as the museum was unable to secure corporate backing.

An exhibition celebrating the life of Charles Darwin has failed to find a corporate sponsor because American companies are anxious not to take sides in the heated debate between scientists and fundamentalist Christians over the theory of evolution.

The entire $3 million (£1.7 million) cost of Darwin, which opened at the American Museum of Natural History in New York yesterday, is instead being borne by wealthy individuals and private charitable donations.

The failure of American companies to back what until recently would have been considered a mainstream educational exhibition reflects the growing influence of fundamentalist Christians, who are among President George W Bush’s most vocal supporters, over all walks of life in the United States.

Telegraph

So far, the museum won’t say which companies declined to participate, for fear of jeopardizing funding for future shows.

If you live in New York or are planning a visit there, please take the time to visit the museum and make a donation. Go every day.

The museum has also published a special issue of their magazine, Natural History to compliment the exhibit. You can read excerpts, including Richard Dawkins’s excellent introduction, here.

The exhibit runs through May 29.