'Science Guy' Bill Nye plans to debate Creation Museum founder Ken Ham

Bill Nye “The Science Guy” is scheduled to debate Creation Museum founder Ken Ham next month.

The former children’s television host and outspoken critic of creationist teaching will discuss whether the Bible-based version of Earth’s origins is a viable model Feb. 4 at the museum in Petersburg, Kentucky.

The debate starts at 7 p.m., and tickets will cost $25.

Ham, the president and CEO of Answers in Genesis, said he was excited to face off against Nye.

“It’s quite rare these days for such a well-known evolutionist to publicly debate a creationist – so we do expect a lot of media interest,” Ham said on his Facebook page.

But not everyone is thrilled by the idea.

Matt Young, blogging at The Panda’s Thumb, urged Nye to reconsider his participation, saying that it legitimized creationism.

“There is nothing to debate, and a ‘debate’ with Mr. Nye will only give Mr. Ham credibility that he does not deserve and increase not only his visibility but also his ability to attract investors,” Young wrote.

The blogger noted the example of Holocaust scholar Deborah Lipstadt, who has said she refuses to participate in events with Holocaust deniers.

“I sometimes bowdlerize that to ‘I do not debate liars,’ and it is a policy I recommend to anyone who is tempted to ‘debate’ a creationist,” Young wrote. “Whether you win or lose, you will convince no one and will only add to the prominence of your opponent, who can now say, ‘See, I debated a prominent scientist; I must be taken seriously now.’”