There is an interesting debate going on in St. Petersburg where mayoral candidate Bill Foster is being attacked for his belief in creationism. As Florida’s fourth-largest city, St. Petersburg has tried to attract businesses and industry. His critics claim that high-tech companies are going to get the wrong impression if the Mayor believes that the Earth was created in six days and that man walked with dinosaurs.
Foster once objected to his son being taught evolution in school. Pinellas School Board wanted teaching about alternatives to the theory of evolution, such as the Genesis account and repeated the ridiculous claims that Darwin contributed to the rise of Hitler and the Columbine massacre. We have seen this attack on Darwin by people like Ben Stein and others recently.
Foster, a member of Starkey Road Baptist Church in Seminole, has not backed down from his views during this debate. He insists that Genesis says that the Earth was created in six days and that this is literally true. He argues that man and dinosaurs clearly existed together despite the fact that there is a 60 million year gap between the two species. His proof is that “[d]inosaurs are mentioned in Job, so I don’t have any problem believing that dinosaurs roamed the earth.” Job refers to a “behemoth.”
Foster asks a legitimate question: “How does my knowledge of scientific theory impact my ability to rationally govern the city of St. Petersburg? It’s completely irrelevant.”
When do the radical personal views of a politician become relevant? We have seen Obama, Clinton, and other politicians routinely use their religious views as part of their campaigns. If it is appropriate to use religious views as a positive element in a campaign, it opens the door for its use as a negative element. It is not clear, however, that Foster has used his religious views as part of his campaign. For a prior column, click here.
Foster’s extreme views on education and Darwin may be a concern for citizens given the influence of a mayor on school board policies and candidates. Moreover, do extremist views indicate something about a candidate’s intellect or judgment? Would it be appropriate for a voter to oppose a candidate who belonged to a cult or a controversial faith? What do you think?
For the full story, click here.
FedLEO, you are on target, love the vintage T.V. stuff. You guys never cease to amaze on this blog.
Folks, we have just entered:
Stanton Friedman M.Sc., a brilliant astrophysicist from the University of Chicago, has stated that ,”The world government that can successfully replicate the development and utilization of flying saucer will rule the world”, end quote..
Interesting, the government alleges that the fragments and pieces strewn about the ranch in Roswell were from a downed weather balloon. Why would the government threaten people with possible termination, over a weather balloon?
The “Interrupted Journey” by John Fuller is a most terrifying book..
I have a vintage DVD, that was burned off an original reel-to-reel print. It is called, “UFO’S Are Real”, from 1979. This may be the most prized DVD I have in my possession. I have know doubt that our government has not disclosed “classified” information about flying saucer, the crash at Roswell, or the true nature of the Barney and Betty Hill case from ’63, or the true case files “culled” from Project Blue Book and Operation Sign. The DVD I have shows original stock footage, burned off 35 mm prints, high speed and grainy of a flying saucer filmed off Catalina Island in April of 66. This DVD gives me the chills…..
‘you write like a “crack” journalist in search of a Pulitzer.”
Billy,
Better a “crack” journalist, than a journalist on “crack.”
By the way flattery will get you everywhere.
“Do you have a fascination with Bigfoot, Sasquatch, Yeti or the Abominable Snowman?”
Billy,
I find Yeti, etc. only somewhat interesting personally. I’m more into Atlantis, UFO’s, The Bermuda Triangle and authors like Graham Hancock. Anthropology is interesting to me, but Archaeology is where my real interests lie. I’m not a believer in any of it since I don’t think the proof is there, but I do accept the possibility and perhaps probability that there is some basis in fact there. Find me a whole society of Yeti’s though and my interest would skyrocket.
Billy,
It just made a good straw-man joke. No worries, misunderstandings happen.
billy wrote:
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Do you have a fascination with Bigfoot, Sasquatch, Yeti or the Abominable Snowman?
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billy,
You forgot to add the abominable anthropomorphic man-god in with those *other* 4 fantasies; therefore, the Big 5.
As always Mike I very much enjoy reading your posts. I read the “looong” post about Israel. Wonderful job though. Send it to Newsweek, you write like a “crack” journalist in search of a Pulitzer..
Billy,
Lighten up I was having fun and so were you.
“The interesting “theme” I have become aware of in reading these fascinating blogs is the obvious dichotomy in everyones’ view. Strong, strong dichotomy!”
Billy,
Therein lies the fun and learning experience of it all. Imagine if we all agreed, what a dull place this would be.
Do you have a fascination with Bigfoot, Sasquatch, Yeti or the Abominable Snowman?
I went back and reread your post Gyges, my apologies…
I agree fundamentalists are a “trip”…
Billy,
I’m suddenly responsible for everything anyone said in a conversation? Guess I better go build a straw effigy of Bigfoot.
I have a problem with fundamentalism not religion. I’ve been fairly specific about which shade out of the spectrum of beliefs I’ve been talking about. But hey, feel free to say I hate the whole rainbow because I don’t care for olive green.
If you want to engage me in further discussion, you have to engage what I said, not what would make your argument easier for me to have said.
Mike,
Thanks. I used Old Testament because it includes them in the actual Christian Holy Texts, instead of the group of supplemental works like I understand they are in in the Torah (although admittedly I could be wrong, I’m a little fuzzy on that and am missing my reference material).
C’mon Mike, it was my attempt at levity. I’m glad you found it amusing, I didn’t know what else to say..
The interesting “theme” I have become aware of in reading these fascinating blogs is the obvious dichotomy in everyones’ view. Strong, strong dichotomy!
Oh No! Not the Gaa Gaa Man! Holey Schmoley Batman!