A funny thing happened at last week's debate between candidates for the Republican party nomination. When asked for a show of hands on who did not believe in evolution, Mitt Romney abstained and kept his paws on the podium. In other words, he signified that he did believe in Charles Darwin's elegant description of the origin of species.
Well, it is no secret that Romney has been courting Christian conservatives. This past weekend he gave the commencement address at Pat Robertson's Regent University. It's quite a balancing act, really, considering that Robertson's own Christian Brodcasting Network has declared Mormonism a cult.
The candidate and his Christian supporters have been working hard to overcome Evangelical antipathy toward the teachings of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, whose 19th-century founder, Joseph Smith, said he revised parts of the Bible to correct it.But his statuesque demeanor at the debate regarding his views on evolution have caused some evangelicals to seek further clarification on where the candidate stands on the matter of the earth really being only 6,000 years old. In response, Romney's campaign has released a statement:
"Governor Romney believes both science and faith can help inform us about the origins of life in this world."It's classic Romney. Vague, wishy-washy, and will further the perception that he is constitutionally incapable of taking a stand on a controversial issue and sticking to it. The question for the former governor is, what happens when science seems to contradict a matter of faith, as in the case of the age of our planet? Furthermore, how do we decide who is right when two faiths disagree on bedrock cosmological questions? Your evangelical constituents want to know, Mr. Romney.
Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 14)
1. WHo cares about eveolution i want to know why i cannot get my presicriptions cheaper oh i know why the senate yesterday blocked why you might ask hum the big drug company campaign fund helped oh sorry i was trying to say the drug companys are concerned about our safety of fake drugs yah right.
http://todaypolitics.blogspot.com/
bloggershaven at 10:50AM on May 8th 2007
2. I care what candidates think about evolution. There are a lot of decisions in the hands of the President of the United States that involve the use of science and scientific fact. I think it's important for voters to know whether or not their President respects science, or takes all their cues from the writings of Bronze Age nomads. Just sayin'.
Trixie Schizo at 1:43PM on May 8th 2007
3. Agree! Romney will say and believe anything to get elected! How foolish are those believing in such a flimflam of a man? He is a true Flipper. He does not even know what he believes. The Romney family is pathetic !
Jacey at 3:33PM on May 10th 2007
4. The Bible is a book of Philosophy, not a book of Science. To say that Evolution is not true because it conflicts with the stories of the Bible is ridiculous, and I could not consider voting for any candidate who does not believe in Evolution. The evidence for Evolution is massive and conclusive. It did happen.
Nestea at 2:29PM on May 8th 2007
5. Americans believe in Mitt Romney's evolution of the origin of life. God breathed into our lungs the precise amount of oxygen and gave us life.
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men.”
The Apostle Peter said to Jesus, you have the "words of eternal life."
Alan Klaus at 2:41PM on May 8th 2007
6. Thank you Nestea, you are correct, the Bible is a work of fiction. I would like a President who is going to base his decisions of facts and what is best for the people in this country. Not what Mormans, Catholics, or Protistants, etc, think. Lets remember separation of church and state. This country was founded on the idea that people were free to worship any way they wished, and the government would not interfere... Remember the Pilgrims?
Jenny at 2:45PM on May 8th 2007
7. I agree with you Jenny. I wish people would keep religion to themselves. Let us concentrate on the important issues this country must face. Our dependance on oil, global warming, health care, and the constant killing in the name of god.
David at 9:12AM on May 10th 2007
8. Nestea & Jenny,
Sad but uninformed. Evolution is a theory. Any scientist would tell you that. And if you knew anything about science you'd also know that theory and fact are two different things.
Romney wishy-washy, yes. Creation and it's 'terrible' teachings--think again. It actually makes much more sense to believe in that, than a ridiculous theory called evolution.
As to separation between church and state...Where in heck did the founding fathers ever say that?
Caleb at 11:03PM on May 9th 2007
9. Oh my, what is wrong with our candidates? Don't they have any REAL beliefs? The reason our world is so messed up is because WE are AFRAID to KEEP GOD AND COUNTRY in the same breath! Stand up for GOD'S SAKE !
Put GOD back into the schools. We need HIM there. Put GOD FIRST and HE will bring our troops home.
HE is my ROCK ! Christians BAN TOGETHER and Do not be ashamed of GOD !
Sandy at 3:19PM on May 8th 2007
10. ...what worries me more, is not Evolution vs. Science, but the Politics of Fear!!!!!
Samiam at 3:30PM on May 8th 2007
11. To dismiss the theory of evolution simply because it is a "theory" is as rediculous an idea as to dismiss the theory of gravity for the same reason. The scientific definition of theory is the best explanation for a series of observed events, not one possibility out of many. Not wanting to believe in evolution doesn't make it false. Simply study of evolution and natural selection would no doubt help understand how it works.
Steve at 3:36PM on May 8th 2007
12. Nestea, Jenny
In the beginning GOD created.... He is the Great "I AM".
Where Were You when he hung the stars in the sky? Where were you when he spoke and LIGHT overcome Night? Where were you when.....well on and on we go where we stop some do know. I suppose an appropriate
answer is Am I lost without hope. The Lord Jesus Christ who is God has all the answers and they are found in HIM and only Him. The Word became flesh and dwelt among men. Seek him and you shal find him if you search for Him with you whole heart. I hope you do. Thank You For listening
Henry Ridge at 3:41PM on May 8th 2007
13. Evolution is not conclusive. Show me the evidence. Last time I checked there was not a true form of evidence in fossil form. Its only a bunch of if or possiblities of how it could have happened. Wait, thats a theory... Not fact. I never met the creator/designer of my car. Should I assume it evolved from nothing?
As far as fossil goes, not one transitional form of a species have been found to prove evolution. If evolution is such a conclusive fact why can nobody point to multiple transitional froms from one stage of evolution to the next. How come evolution can not explain the complexities of the eyes?
Let me leave you all with a great and true quote. "We all need to start acting like adults and less like democrats. "
Oh how that is so true, democrats either believe Americans are not smart enough to solve their own problems. People who vote democrats are too lazy and rather have the government make their decisions. Just like their momma and daddy did when they were childern. Aww...how cute and sweet.
NappyHeadedHo at 3:41PM on May 8th 2007
14. What did other past President believed in,did they all believe in Evolution or did they have different beliefs? If you Mr know it all can find out starting from the very first President if they all believe in Evolution then it will worth discussing it.But if they each have different opinion than drop the subject.Did George Washington,Abraham Lincoln,Thomas Jefferson,Lyndon Johnson,Eisenhower,...Carter,Reagan,and all U.S.past President,what are their views and opion on Evolution,better to clear the past before starting from the present.What does this got to do with issues we face everyday,Cost of living,Taxes,Employment,Immigration,Health,Education and you name it these are we as people face everday.Isn't In God We Trust is enough for the Nation? It's not what we think we know,it's what's best for the people of the Country.
Kava Mulipola at 3:48PM on May 8th 2007
15. Let's keep our outdated religious beliefs out of our government. If you want to beleive in nonsense it's your business, but keep it out of responsible and ethical government. It's supposed to be that way.
Jesus at 3:51PM on May 8th 2007