‘People who reject the theory of evolution should be placed on a level with Holocaust deniers.'

That is the opinion of the author Richard Dawkins who freely labels creationists as history deniers. It's an extreme view but it typifies the attitude shift towards anti-creationism which has picked up speed over the past decade or so. Creationism has gone from being a widely discredited theory to being considered as absolute nonsense by most, and that's largely down to campaigns and publications by Dawkins and co.

This week was no different, as the British Humanist Association (BHA), of which Dawkins is the Vice President, set its sights on ‘Noah's Ark' creationist zoo in Wraxall, near Bristol.

The zoo, which is run by husband and wife Anthony and Christina Bush, promotes the belief that all life was created by God. The BHA argues that public bodies such as South West England and Visit Britain should stop promoting the zoo as a tourist attraction.

‘We believe it is inappropriate that they should support establishments that seek to urge religious or ideological beliefs upon people in these ways,' says BHA director of education and public affairs Andrew Copson.

Noah's Ark research assistant Jon Woodward said: ‘We are offering our visitors the chance to look at the evolution/creation debate. As it is a free country, that is within our right.'

The government's stance on creationism in public education is clear. The teaching of creationism is not allowed to be part of the curriculum, but guidelines on teaching it have been outlined. Science teachers may answer questions on the subject but must make clear that creationism has 'no underpinning scientific principles'.

I'm not religious in the slightest, and I won't pretend to ‘know' either way whether God does or doesn't exist. I find it hard to believe those people who are convinced they have been ‘touched by God' and it seems to me that many of the people who do something ‘because God told them to' are often mentally unstable. What I do believe though is that creationism still has a place in modern society.

Science has taught us many lessons, but none more important than the notion of questioning what we're told. Thousands of years ago practically everybody believed God made us as we are, just as they believed the world was flat. It was science that taught us the value of seeking real answers rather than just taking what we are told as fact.

So too, then, should we allow creationists to have their say - we may disagree but that's the beauty of this country. It's okay to disagree! If you don't want to hear their views, don't go to the zoo. Creationists don't hold any beliefs that are likely to cause harm to anyone or break any laws so why shouldn't they be granted a voice?

If the BHA is going to stop tourism groups from publicising creationist venues then shouldn't it also offer the same rationale to public bodies that promote any religious destination? All churches, mosques and synagogues practise one belief or other that many a scientist will disagree with. I'm sure Richard Dawkins would vouch for that.