Proving that no bad idea ever ever truly disappears from public discussion, Anna Falling, a Republican candidate for mayor in Tulsa, Oklahoma, is pushing the idea of a Creationism exhibit at her city’s local zoo.

The idea was rejected four years ago when it first came up at the Tulsa Parks Board. But Falling, a self-professed Christian, is not letting that stop her from resurrecting the ridiculous proposal. “Some may ask why this issue during a Mayoral campaign? And I say not why?” she told Tulsa’s The News On 6.

In fact, Falling has declared that the installation of the exhibit is the number-one issue facing the city, far more important than crime, budget problems and potholes.

“Today we are announcing that God will be glorified in this city,” Falling, a former Tulsa City Councilor (1998-200), said. “He shall not be shunned. Upon our election, we hereby commit to honoring him in all ways that he has been dishonored.”

God has been “dishonored,” according to Falling, because the zoo already includes representations of some other non-Christian deities.

Brian Cross, a representative of Friends of Religion and Science, said that he was “surprised that has come back up again. It was a bad idea the first time around.” He explained that the depictions of the other gods is for educational purposes, not to convert anyone to those religions.

“They weren’t put up here at the behest of any particular group in order to advance their agenda,” Cross said. “That’s the difference. She wants to promote for her religion.The curators of the zoo want to educate.”

Not to be discouraged by reason, Falling has begun gathering signatures to force the Parks Board reconsider the matter once again, despite the fact that the last time time around, the discussion involved a very open and public process.

“Unless we find ways to engage the church back into public policy decisions we will be lost as a city, state and nation,” said the overzealous candidate.

Since her candidacy was first announced in July, Falling has made her Christianity the centerpiece of the race. Her husband is senior pastor of the Wesley United Methodist Church in North Tulsa.

“Nationally, we now hear that we are no longer a Christian nation,” Falling has said. “Well Tulsa is still a Christian city – a city on a hill – a beacon to the nation. My questions to you: will we continue to follow the national trends or will we set the trend and reverse the damage that has been wrought on the families, the children and the future of this city?”

Earth to Falling: Ours was never a Christian nation. The Constitution forbids it.

Tommi Avicolli Mecca is co-editor of Avanti Popolo: Italians Sailing Beyond Columbus, and editor of Smash the Church, Smash the State: The Early Years of Gay Liberation, which has just been published by City Lights Books. His website: www.avicollimecca.com