Posted on 02/15/2015 8:35:49 AM PST by PROCON
Scott Walker stumbled on it during a trip to London. He and the rest of the 2016 Republican presidential field will face it repeatedly in the months ahead. So it would probably be best if GOP candidates prepared a quick and clear answer to the question, 'Do you believe in evolution?' They'll have to use it a lot.
If they are like most Americans, Republican candidates believe God has guided the creation of the Earth and its inhabitants. That alone is enough to craft an answer that will both represent their beliefs and work in a campaign.
The Gallup polling organization has done surveys about evolution for years. They ask this question:
Which of the following statements comes closest to your views on the origin and development of human beings: 1) Human beings have developed over millions of years from less advanced forms of life, but God guided this process; 2) Human beings have developed over millions of years from less advanced forms of life, but God had no part in this process; or 3) God created human beings pretty much in their present form at one time within the last 10,000 years or so.
In the most recent poll, done in May 2014, a plurality, 42 percent, said God created humans in their present form, while 31 percent said humans evolved with God's guidance. Just 19 percent said humans evolved with God playing no part in the process, and 8 percent had no opinion.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonexaminer.com ...
That’s nitpicky on words. Of course someone “believes it” ... because they think it’s true according to the evidence. Whether they are right or wrong (in terms of the evidence) is another matter ... they still “believe it”.
Yep.
And when asked by the obviously biased media of such questions, right leaning politicians should say “ WTF does that have to do with anything involving politics, or any sort of governance?”. AND, call these weasel media ***** out for asking loaded questions.
I would like nothing more than a stong conservative American politician hand some smarmy f****** media clown their ass back to them .
But if one asks the media tribes about UFO’s they give the ok nod talk about not having a grip on reality.
It is the only appropriate answer, as the media WANTS the Republican to give a religious response.
Beliefs belong in church.
The problem here is that it’s not being sold as a belief, but as science, supposedly based on evidence (or conclusions resulting from evidence).
AND THEN ... you add to that fact ... that the teaching of evolution as “fact” directly contradicts the Bible as to how God said he made things, you’ve got a real problem.
The so-called “Theory of Evolution” (or as some want to say, “the fact of Evolution”) not only carries through outside of church (permeated all through our society in ways that have nothing to do with church) ... it also carries through “in church”.
It crosses over into both venues ... the secular and the religious. Just because some talk about it from the religious standpoint, doesn’t mean it doesn’t have serious and deleterious impact on the SECULAR WORLD, too!
And in the secular world, there are scientists who say, “It’s bogus and it doesn’t stand up to scientific scrutiny!”
AGAIN ... this “theory of Evolution” crosses over into both venues ... the religious and the secular!
I don’t think how it’s “messaged” is secondary ... in terms of relaying to someone else that it’s false. You have to know your audience, or you’re just not going to be speaking to them. The messaging, in knowing your audience (or just that one particular person) is important in how you relay that message.
“Why do GOP candidates keep stumbling on evolution?”
Because, they trip on their long ape-like arms!
Seriously folks, you’ve a great audience!
Remember to tip your bus-boy.
I wholeheartedly agree. The belief in evolution belongs in church. It is an article of faith, nothing more.
What does it matter in view of the presidency? The president doesn’t set theological standards.
Good observation, but might I remind you ...
The Earth isn't flat.
Joan of Arc didn't deserve execution for wearing men's clothing.
Galileo didn't deserve his Home Arrest situation.
And ... Our Earth is about 4.5 billion years old.
The phrase is “believe in,” and when you’re arguing facts, words matter.
I think you are a little off. Conservative opposition to evolution is one of the three main anchors of the leftist claim that conservatives (and republicans) are anti-science. It is the easiest to use, as many of the replies here demonstrate. Full-throated denunciation of the theory of evolution as many want would only play into leftist’s hands.
The anti-science claims two other points are denunciation of global warming, as the bunk that it is, and opposition to human embryonic stem cell research. Global warming suffers from the same faults as young earth creationism, believers view it as a sign of your superior intellect, as you leave those circles it fairly quickly becomes a sign of your inferior intelligence. As for embryonic stem cell research I think there is much basic research that can be done, I just do not see the requirement that it be human embryos that are used.
I think Walker needs a better response, but the one he used was not terrible. Refusing to answer and telling the question his question was irrelevant is better than many Republicans manage.
I like Ted Cruz a lot but I like Walker too. My point is Walker stumbled answering the question and he knew it. He tweeted out a much better response later in the day which is what he should ought to have said to the reporter. He needs to get his messaging down better.
Likewise the question to Walker was meant to trick him into saying something that would alienate his followers or else make it easy for the media to portray him as ignorant and anti-science.
The Constitution does say that no religious test shall be required for federal offices but that's another matter.
The Answer:
Reporter: Do you Believe in Evolution?
Smart Conservative: Is it True that you are asking me such a question in an effort to try to drive wedge between religious conservatives and libertarian minded fiscal conservatives?
(and then keep hounding the reporter and tell them they are asking a question that in no way is relevant to the subject at hand and berate them for wasting everyone’s time.)
[ I dare them to ask a liberal what evolutionary purpose homosexuality serves.
Yes, that destroys their argument immediately. ]
Some have suggested that when you PACK a lot of humans into one PLACE (Cities) that there is a natural population control mechanism that kicks in , ie. Same Sex Attraction....
As it spreads Disease and they don’t procreate the numbers are then driven downward....
This explains the fact that all the Progressive liberal panty waists come from big cities...
[ Newt Gingrich and Ted Cruz are the only ones who seem to know how to play this game. The media already hates you, so there’s not really anything you can do to ruin the relationship. Knowing that should be something of an advantage. ]
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