Gov. Rick Perry was asked directly about his view on creationism and the religious dogma regarding the age of the Earth. His response was truly Bushesque, saying that the Earth is “pretty old” and evolution “got some gaps.” He wants both evolution and creationism taught side by side as equal “theories” in public schools.
A mother at a campaign stop prompted her son to ask Perry about creationism and the age of the Earth. Perry responded “How old do I think the Earth is? I have no idea – it’s pretty old. It goes back a long way – I’m not sure anyone knows really completely know how old it is.” It goes back a long way? Of course, all that carbon dating appears inconclusive since no one is actually living who saw the Earth billions of years ago. Due to the lack of eye witnesses, that means that the Earth is somewhere between billions and just thousands of years old. However, it is pretty old.
Perry went on to say on evolution that “It’s a theory that’s out there and it’s got some gaps in it. In Texas, we teach creationism and evolution because I feel you’re smart enough to figure out which one is right.” A theory that’s out there.
Texas has been ranked 44th in spending on education and last in high diplomas Polls show that a third of Texans believe humans and dinosaurs roamed the earth at the same time and a majority reject the theory of evolution.
Source: TPM
I find it ironic that the creationists are the first to use modern science-based medicine when their health is in jeopardy.
If the United States is to remain a superpower, it has to be the leader in science.
I read a fascinating article this morning at Science News.org about the bending of light as it is seen from great distances (like through telescopes). It seems that some of the stars we think we are seeing are not really there because large astronomical objects “standing” between us and the star bend and curve the starlight by the time it reaches us. Thus one star appears to us to be two, four, or more stars or glowing objects.
In other words things are not always as they appear.
It appeared to most of mankind for most of history that the sun “rose” and “set”. But it doesn’t. We revolve and it rotates.
Two clocks initially set at the same time and then placed at different elevations on earth (ideally one is at the highest and the other at the lowest) will run at different speeds all things mechanical being equal and in good repair with them. What this FACT indicates to us is that TIME responds differently to the force of gravity. The more gravity exerts on time the faster it “runs”.
This has great implications for the young earth viewpoint. The universe could only LOOK old because as gravity away from us exerts a greater force from where we stand it is probably running faster like the clock at the top of the Himalayas. The same amount of time has passed, but the clocks register different information. One is running faster and one slower. That could be what we are seeing.
A good book on this subject is Starlight and Time by Russell Humphreys.
Here is the article I read this morning about bending starlight. It has a charming human interest story as well:
http://www.sciencenews.org/view/generic/id/33082/title/Accidental_astrophysicists
And now for the politics.
The demented and deranged people on the left who mock and ridicule people who take the Book of Genesis at its word like to pretend that Christians reject science. Leftists like to pretend this because they are bigots.
But Christians don’t reject science. In fact Christians laid the foundations for most of modern science. What these morons on the left don’t admit is that they, by faith, filter the scientific evidence they see through the prism of their own preconceived notions (faith) in a godless universe and fit the facts to that world view. Yet, being the evil doers they love to be, they would deny Christians (who also respect and admire science) the right to have their own preconceived belief that the universe is not Godless.
The reason for this is that the godless critics are more intolerant than the Christians.
By the way, I don’t believe for a minute that Perry is a Christian. Just like I don’t believe Obama is. Or Bush. Or Clinton.
rafflaw,
If Perry gets elected, maybe Massachusetts will consider seceding from the Union!
😉
Rickk Perry continues to shoot his Bible packing mouth off. If gets elected it will be time for all “non-believers” to buy warm coats and head North.
Mike Spindell,
“I’m totally convinced that we don’t have all the answers, but I also am totally convinced that life is not 6,000 years old.”
Good for you. Keep up the research! 😉
Otteray Scribe said:
“How did this guy get through medical school?”
Actually, one of the continuing urban myths is that the typical MD is smarter than the patient sitting in his shorts waiting.
The fact is, the Henmon-Nelson IQ Distributions for Occupation Groups study, put that silliness to rest two decades ago.
In a nation that has almost exactly 650,000 doctors who treat patients (many don’t) the Henmon assessment demonstrated quite clearly that about 1/3 of physicians can boast pretty much the same intelligent levels as dock loaders & gardeners, day laborers & taxi drivers.
I don’t say this in a mean way.
If Only Government Schools Could Go Extinct
First, let’s get the facts straight: No, it wouldn’t be constitutional to advocate creationism in public schools, though it might be acceptable to teach the religious basis for it without declaring it the truth. Even without possible legal finessing, however, it is very likely that teachers are discussing creationism in Lone Star science classes, and just about every other state’s. As a groundbreaking survey of high school biology teachers recently found, about 13 percent of surveyed teachers explicitly teach creationism or intelligent design in their classes, and about 60 percent dance around evolution, sometimes by teaching numerous views on the subject.
How could this be happening?
About 40 percent of Americans believe that roughly 10,000 years ago God created human beings as we currently exist, and they aren’t going to just let the schools for which they have to pay taxes ignore that. Nor should they: ours is a nation built on individual liberty, and government attacks that at its core when it compels people to support schools that either teach things they find abhorrent or fails to teach things they feel essential. Of course, those who oppose the teaching of creationism are equally justified in standing up for their convictions — hence the creationist black market and costant public-schooling conflict.
The solution: Let parents choose educational options consistent with their norms and beliefs, especially through tax credit programs that allow individuals or corporations to choose what kinds of schools they’ll support. And yes, many people will select options others will dislike, but that’s both a part of freedom and the key to getting coherent and transparent curricula for all.
As a side — but hugely important — note, it is very dangerous to let government declare scientific “winners.” Reality — while very hard to truly know — is not determined by “consensus,” or who can convince the most politicians of something. It simply is. As a result, letting something become officially approved thought is to be assiduously avoided. But don’t take my word for it: Just read up on John Scopes and the huge challenges he faced trying to teach kids about offically forbidden evolution.
This is what happens when you insist that something written several thousand years ago is infallible.
abortion rights candidates in actuality only capture 2 to 3 % of the voting public…the remainder of voter are concerned with other major issues like the economy… and leave the single issue of choice or not alone…I am for women’s choice or whatever that means….but then again…confuse it with a male wishing that the female would get an abortion then you have other issues….to contend with….and that will be just as blatant…the right for a male to have a say if an abortion happens…one side of the same coin…
http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/08/former-reagan-official-rick-perrys-an-idiot.php?ref=fpb
Some of you are so scared of hope and change. I have hope that we get in any new prez that at least have a clue. Ya’ll.
Huntsman is another anti-abortion candidate but he has not signed the pledge. He believes in global warming so he will probably stay stuck at 2 or 3 percent since most republican primary voters don’t believe in it.
And here is why the XII AM was adopted:
Election of 1800
Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton first came into public opposition during the famed election of 1800. In the election, Aaron Burr ran as Vice-President on the Democratic-Republican Party ticket with Thomas Jefferson against John Adams (the incumbent Federalist). Electoral college rules at the time gave each elector two votes for president, with the candidate receiving the second most votes becoming vice president. The Democratic-Republican Party therefore planned to have 72 of their 73 electors vote for both Jefferson and Burr, with the remaining elector voting only for Jefferson. However, the electors failed to execute this plan, so Burr and Jefferson tied with 73 votes each. As mandated by the United States Constitution in the event of no candidate winning a majority, the election was moved to the United States House of Representatives, which was controlled by the Federalists, many of whom were loath to vote for Jefferson. Hamilton, however, regarded Burr as far more dangerous than Jefferson and used all his influence to ensure Jefferson’s election. On the 36th ballot, the House of Representatives gave Jefferson the presidency, with Burr becoming vice president.
Then we have the fatal duel……
eniobob,
The link at 10:48 am was really interesting … thanks
eniobib,
I will come out again and say Huntsman is probably the only half way intelligent republican in the mix right now…And if it were a choice between him or Obama…well…I am sure I’d go with Huntsman….
To have the thought of another Idiot from Texas as President…is scary….
Bachmann said: “”we also know that the very founders that wrote those documents worked tirelessly until slavery was no more in the United States.”
Great start for her….wow…almost as good as Palin…Did these folks like skip US History….
Pulitzer Prize-winning Washington Post columnist Colby King on Friday disgracefully called Republican presidential candidate Michele Bachmann “Barbie with fangs.”
BTW:
Sen. Coburn: It’s a ‘good thing I can’t pack a gun on the Senate floor’
By Josiah Ryan – 08/18/11 10:44 AM ET
http://thehill.com/blogs/floor-action/senate/177341-coburn-good-thing-i-cant-pack-a-gun-on-the-senate-floor-
AY:
Rally pains to say this the man is not a fighter,and he will soon in IMHO will be called “cave man”.His record is showing that.The election will boil down to the lesser of two evils.BTW have you noticed how each election is more important to vote in that the previous?