Thread: Republican Congressman Rejects Evolution

Well, techically man did not come from a monkey. They share a common lineage somewhere along the line. Then the branch off happened, or that is what I was taught decades ago.

I think a Creator exists. I think evolution is the means IT used. I see no contradiction in evolution itself and the belief in a Creator. But of course this sort of Creator would not fit within the traditional Christian idea of God. And that presents the problem with some Christians. The evolution theory is kinda messy from a Christian point of view.

But there were always problems with the Creation Myth in Genesis. Cain killed Abel, and God banished him to the land of Nod. Where it says, he met his mate. So, unless he was breeding with regular apes, he found another human in Nod. Which means that other humans existed outside of Eden. Which makes the Creation Myth, is a myth indeed. Or an way of primitive man trying to understand his origins. I never had any problems with it myself, as I understand what was going on, or think I do anyways.


Politicians can believe in anything they want, as long as they don't want a Theocracy, with them at the head.

Originally Posted by Blue Doggy

Well, techically man did not come from a monkey. They share a common lineage somewhere along the line. Then the branch off happened, or that is what I was taught decades ago.

I think a Creator exists. I think evolution is the means IT used. I see no contradiction in evolution itself and the belief in a Creator. But of course this sort of Creator would not fit within the traditional Christian idea of God. And that presents the problem with some Christians. The evolution theory is kinda messy from a Christian point of view.

But there were always problems with the Creation Myth in Genesis. Cain killed Abel, and God banished him to the land of Nod. Where it says, he met his mate. So, unless he was breeding with regular apes, he found another human in Nod. Which means that other humans existed outside of Eden. Which makes the Creation Myth, is a myth indeed. Or an way of primitive man trying to understand his origins. I never had any problems with it myself, as I understand what was going on, or think I do anyways.


Politicians can believe in anything they want, as long as they don't want a Theocracy, with them at the head.

Blue,
I'm on the other side of this coin. I don't believe in a creator, or intelligen design but firmly in evolution, bio-diversity, et. al.

That being said, you have every right to believe what you choose to believe. Further, elected representatives have the same right.

Where that right ends, at least in my mind, is the introduction of these belief based tenets in public policy.

So you and I have some very common ground here (in spite of some other threads )

Originally Posted by ConLib

It's truly amazing the number of politicians, on both sides, that say they don't believe in evolution. The largest percentage, as one would imagine, comes from the right side.

During an appearance on HBO's "Real Time with Bill Mahr" on Friday night, Rep. Jack Kingston (R-Ga.) stated clearly that he does not believe in the process of evolution.

"I believe I came from God, not from a monkey so the answer is no," he said, laughing, when asked if he subscribes to the theory. Later in the segment he added, "I don't believe that a creature crawled out of the sea and became a human being one day."

According to a Gallup poll released last month, 40 percent of Americans believe God is responsible for creating human life in its current form roughly 10,000 years ago.

The survey found that 52 percent of Republicans believe in creationism. 34 percent of Democrats and independents maintain the same view, the poll showed. An excerpt of analysis from Gallup:

The significantly higher percentage of Republicans who choose a creationist view of human origins reflects in part the strong relationship between religion and politics in contemporary America. Republicans are significantly more likely to attend church weekly than are others, and, as noted, Americans who attend church weekly are most likely to select the creationist alternative for the origin of humans.

So?

Of course you are wrong on a very key point: "the strong relationship between religion and politics in contemporary America."

You should have left out the word "contemporary"

Faith has always been a part of politics in America. I quote for you again...

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed

Originally Posted by Blue Doggy

Well, techically man did not come from a monkey. They share a common lineage somewhere along the line. Then the branch off happened, or that is what I was taught decades ago.

I think a Creator exists. I think evolution is the means IT used. I see no contradiction in evolution itself and the belief in a Creator. But of course this sort of Creator would not fit within the traditional Christian idea of God. And that presents the problem with some Christians. The evolution theory is kinda messy from a Christian point of view.

But there were always problems with the Creation Myth in Genesis. Cain killed Abel, and God banished him to the land of Nod. Where it says, he met his mate. So, unless he was breeding with regular apes, he found another human in Nod. Which means that other humans existed outside of Eden. Which makes the Creation Myth, is a myth indeed. Or an way of primitive man trying to understand his origins. I never had any problems with it myself, as I understand what was going on, or think I do anyways.


Politicians can believe in anything they want, as long as they don't want a Theocracy, with them at the head.

Gallup did a video breakdown here:

YouTube - Gallup Poll Video

A belief in 'intelligent design' is not inconsistent with evolution. It's merely an additional leap of faith that a Higher Power of some sort acted as the catalyst in the evolutionary process. It's something that is not provable one way or the other by scientific methods and could be true or false.

I likewise agree people can believe what they want; it's a First Amendment guarantee. But I take it a step further: I don't want politicians making political acts based on personal theocratic beliefs, just secularly examined and grounded judgements.

Originally Posted by O'Sullivan Bere

Gallup did a video breakdown here:

YouTube - Gallup Poll Video

A belief in 'intelligent design' is not inconsistent with evolution. It's merely an additional leap of faith that a Higher Power of some sort acted as the catalyst in the evolutionary process. It's something that is not provable one way or the other by scientific methods and could be true or false.

I likewise agree people can believe what they want; it's a First Amendment guarantee. But I take it a step further: I don't want politicians making political acts based on personal theocratic beliefs, just secularly examined and grounded judgements.

Oh come on. You know that humans are the result of the Annunaki impregnating Cro-Magnuns.

Originally Posted by Sunshine

Oh come on. You know that humans are the result of the Annunaki impregnating Cro-Magnuns.

Here's one in your neck of the woods that for me I find troubling:

YouTube - BBC report on Creationist Museum

Creation Museum - Creation, Evolution, Science, Dinosaurs, Family, Christian Worldview | Creation Museum
Creation Museum - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

and fundamentalist schools teaching Biblical Creationism as the 'scientific' answer, e.g.,

YouTube - Crazy Student Creationists Unswayed by Evolution Exhibition

And then there is the Mormon view of creationism of which millions of Americans like Glenn Beck follow, all taking the word of its founder Joseph Smith for its accuracy:

YouTube - Mormon's Theology cartoon

Science easily shows, for example, that the Native Americans are not the Lost Tribes of Israel via archeological evidence, DNA, etc. And yet they reject it in following Smith's claims.

Originally Posted by eohrnberger

Blue,
I'm on the other side of this coin. I don't believe in a creator, or intelligen design but firmly in evolution, bio-diversity, et. al.

That being said, you have every right to believe what you choose to believe. Further, elected representatives have the same right.

Where that right ends, at least in my mind, is the introduction of these belief based tenets in public policy.

So you and I have some very common ground here (in spite of some other threads )

Religion aside, I find it disturbing that 40% of the politicians believe it was just an act of their god, that man was suddenly created 10,000 year ago. Just think, these are people we've entrusted to make laws for us, a disturbing thought.

Heck, I find it disturbing that anyone believes that, given all the proof otherwise.

Originally Posted by Blue Doggy

Well, techically man did not come from a monkey. They share a common lineage somewhere along the line. Then the branch off happened, or that is what I was taught decades ago.

I think a Creator exists. I think evolution is the means IT used. I see no contradiction in evolution itself and the belief in a Creator. But of course this sort of Creator would not fit within the traditional Christian idea of God. And that presents the problem with some Christians. The evolution theory is kinda messy from a Christian point of view.

But there were always problems with the Creation Myth in Genesis. Cain killed Abel, and God banished him to the land of Nod. Where it says, he met his mate. So, unless he was breeding with regular apes, he found another human in Nod. Which means that other humans existed outside of Eden. Which makes the Creation Myth, is a myth indeed. Or an way of primitive man trying to understand his origins. I never had any problems with it myself, as I understand what was going on, or think I do anyways.


Politicians can believe in anything they want, as long as they don't want a Theocracy, with them at the head.

I agree. I believe in a "creator," IT just happen not o be "limited" by the image impose on IT by ANY religions.
And I believe that creation and evolution are NOT mutually exclusive! On the contrary, no matter how far you go back . . .there had to be the ONE parcel to evolve from!

Originally Posted by ConLib

Religion aside, I find it disturbing that 40% of the politicians believe it was just an act of their god, that man was suddenly created 10,000 year ago. Just think, these are people we've entrusted to make laws for us, a disturbing thought.

Heck, I find it disturbing that anyone believes that, given all the proof otherwise.

There is no "proof" otherwise. Evidence, maybe, but proof......uh-uh. By the same token, there is no proof of creationism either, evidence, yes, proof.....no.

So how far would you take your disdain for a belief in God by elected officials? Would you have them banned from eligibility?

Originally Posted by O'Sullivan Bere

Here's one in your neck of the woods that for me I find troubling:

YouTube - BBC report on Creationist Museum

Creation Museum - Creation, Evolution, Science, Dinosaurs, Family, Christian Worldview | Creation Museum
Creation Museum - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

and fundamentalist schools teaching Biblical Creationism as the 'scientific' answer, e.g.,

YouTube - Crazy Student Creationists Unswayed by Evolution Exhibition

And then there is the Mormon view of creationism of which millions of Americans like Glenn Beck follow, all taking the word of its founder Joseph Smith for its accuracy:

YouTube - Mormon's Theology cartoon

Science easily shows, for example, that the Native Americans are not the Lost Tribes of Israel via archeological evidence, DNA, etc. And yet they reject it in following Smith's claims.

Not so much in my neck of the woods, it is closer to Louisville. I wouldn't expect to see that around here. We are much to caught up in water skiing, fishing, and hunting to be bothered! LOL

Actually, the museum is privately funded:

The museum, which is said to have cost $27 million, is privately funded through donations to the apologetics ministry Answers in Genesis and opened its doors to the public on May 28, 2007

People still have the right to believe what they like.

There are evolutionary contradictions which science refuses to explain, like Regression toward the Mean. I also find evolution gives me some weird mental images of the state of existence of some animals on their evolutionary path, and I have to wonder why we haven't found any of those missing links.

I personally, don't think evolution is completely off base. But for life to have evolved to the point it has, there would need to be some kind if direction. People use natural selection as evolution, but their examples are always just a change such as color, etc. within a species. They never explain how, say, dinosaurs morphed into birds. Also, there is too much planning evident in the blueprints of life (DNA) for life on earth to have been a mere accident. Could you build a house from a blueprint and then convince someone it evolved from trees?

I am more the 'cosmic consciousness' type of gal. I hold to some of the more ancient beliefs that all matter is alive and conscious, even things we think are dead, like stones. Even a stone is in constant motion as is every particle of matter. That being the case it would seem that the spaces between the electrons contain consciousness that has been generated by the electrical activity of the atoms, just as thoughts are generated by electrical activity in the brain. We have thoughts. We think we know what thoughts are. Thoughts can be expressed, but not extracted from the brain and examined physically one at a time. I think cosmic consciousness is pretty much that way as well. But then you must confess that my theory of cosmic consciousness guiding the evolutionary process, even as it defies known laws of science, with the things we see being an expression or that consciousness just as the words on your forum are an expression of our own personal consciousness is a bit far out for the creationists.

Even though I have extrapolated that answer for myself, intelligent design is a struggle I generally do not embark upon for obvious reasons. But then I think the story of Jesus is a workplace model on one hand and a scientific model on the other which shows us that laws of the universe are far more arcane than we suspect. In that ancient teaching we were told that we all can do the things that Jesus did which defied the laws of physics. I have one friend who stays pissed because no one bothered to pass that knowledge on to us. Or perhaps they did and the knowledge at this stage of our existence is just too dangerous for us to understand. Maybe the Annunaki will help us with that one!

Hope you have been entertained!

Well, it's not just the U.S. either. A large portion of the world seems to believe in their own hocus pocus equivalents. Granted, most countries that demonstrate the strongest belief in a creation story and the least in evolution are severely lacking in education and literacy.

Although, even the U.K. apparently has a high percentage of creationists.

Originally Posted by Occam's Razor

Well, it's not just the U.S. either. A large portion of the world seems to believe in their own hocus pocus equivalents. Granted, most countries that demonstrate the strongest belief in a creation story and the least in evolution are severely lacking in education and literacy.

Although, even the U.K. apparently has a high percentage of creationists.

so do the space aliens that planted the humans here

Originally Posted by countryboy

There is no "proof" otherwise. Evidence, maybe, but proof......uh-uh. By the same token, there is no proof of creationism either, evidence, yes, proof.....no.

So how far would you take your disdain for a belief in God by elected officials? Would you have them banned from eligibility?

I agree that there is no proof either way. . .but although there is, as you note, evidence of evolution. . .I disagree that there is as much evidence of "creationism!"
Especially NOT the "creationism" version as reported in the Bible! Nice story. . .but so totally unrealistic!