Noah's Flood on Trial: The Geologist Who Sued Over the Grand Canyon's Secrets
"Delve into the legal battle where science, religion, and the Grand Canyon's origins collide."
The Grand Canyon, a breathtaking scar carved into the heart of Arizona, is not just a geological wonder but also a battleground for one of the most enduring debates in modern society: the age of the Earth and the interpretation of its history. At the center of this conflict stands Andrew Snelling, an Australian-born geologist with a PhD from the University of Sydney and a firm belief in a young Earth.
Snelling's conviction that the biblical flood of Noah was responsible for the rapid formation of the Grand Canyon led him to a legal confrontation with the United States National Parks Service. His lawsuit, filed after the Parks Service denied him permits to collect rock samples within the canyon, claimed religious discrimination and ignited a firestorm of controversy.
This is the story of that lawsuit—a clash between scientific inquiry, deeply held religious beliefs, and the policies governing one of America's most iconic landscapes. It’s a journey into the heart of a debate that challenges our understanding of time, history, and the very ground beneath our feet.
The Geologist's Quest: Unearthing Evidence for a Young Earth
Andrew Snelling isn't just any geologist; he's a "young-Earth creationist." This means he adheres to a literal interpretation of the Book of Genesis, believing that the Earth was created in six days and is only a few thousand years old—a stark contrast to the billions of years accepted by mainstream science. For Snelling, the Grand Canyon isn't the product of millions of years of slow erosion, but rather the result of a catastrophic event: Noah's flood.
- November 2013: Snelling submits his initial research proposal, notably omitting any mention of creationism.
- Reviewers' Concerns: Appointed experts flagged the proposal as scientifically invalid, suggesting alternative sites for similar rocks.
- Karl Karlstrom's Critique: A geologist from the University of New Mexico pointed out deficiencies in Snelling's proposal, citing its lack of scientific rigor and outdated references.
- March 2014: The Parks Service formally rejects Snelling's proposal.
- Legal Action: Snelling files a lawsuit, alleging religious discrimination after the Parks Service fails to respond to an amended proposal.
A Legal and Scientific Stalemate
The lawsuit filed by Andrew Snelling against the National Parks Service remains a contentious issue. Represented by the Alliance Defending Freedom, a conservative Christian legal organization, Snelling claims that the government discriminated against him based on his religious beliefs. The ADF lawyer, Gary McCaleb, accused the Parks Service of "stonewalling [Snelling] for three years," arguing that it's fundamentally wrong to prevent a qualified scientist from conducting legitimate research.