From time to time, we're reminded of the right's general hostility towards science. The assault tends to be all-encompassing -- climate science, medical research, modern biology, sex ed -- and my friend Chris Mooney even wrote a brilliant book about it, documenting the extent to which conservatives have targeted the scientific process itself.
That said, Rep. Paul Broun (R-Ga.), one of Congress' most far-right members, is taking Republican opposition to science to a more startling level.
For those who can't watch clips online, here's what Broun said when he spoke two weeks ago at the 2012 Sportsman's Banquet at Liberty Baptist Church in Hartwell, Ga.
"God's word is true. I've come to understand that. All that stuff I was taught about evolution and embryology and the big bang theory, all that is lies straight from the pit of Hell. And it's lies to try to keep me and all the folks who were taught that from understanding that they need a savior. You see, there are a lot of scientific data that I've found out as a scientist that actually show that this is really a young Earth. I don't believe that the earth's but about 9,000 years old. I believe it was created in six days as we know them. That's what the Bible says."
For the record, Broun's religious beliefs are obviously his businesses, and if he chooses to believe cosmology, biology, and geology are, quite literally, "lies straight from the pit of Hell," that's between the congressman and his conscience.
But the larger, national significance to this is that Broun isn't just some private citizen who rejects science; he's a member of Congress who sits on the House Science Committee.
I don't care that Broun prefers ignorance to knowledge, and chooses to reject evidence and reason, but it should matter that a man who thinks the planet is 9,000 years old is helping shape science policy in the U.S. House of Representatives in the 21st century.
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Each time I see these types of stories I am reminded of the only thing I remembered from reading Milton's Paradise Lost: "Be lowly wise: Think only what concerns thee and thy being." This was written in the 17th century and describes the present GOP to a "T".
Guys like Akin and Broun seem to have taken this to heart literally. They also feel the need to demonstrate the philosophy to the world at every turn.
As an aside, given the rejection of science by Dr. Broun, I am glad I'm not his patient. I wonder if he were diagnosed with TB if he'd rather have the newer antibiotics that target the evolved and mutated antibiotic resistant strains of TB? I'm guessing he'd prefer the standard antibiotics since there's no such thing as evolution and thus no such thing as mutation.
Mr. Broun is one of the want to be christians that do not believe their bible. They observe the Sabbath on Sunday, the first day of the week and pray in public. These two things are forbidden in the old and New Testaments used in the christian churches. God tells them when a person becomes a living soul in the second chapter of Genesis. If they do not believe what their Bible says, why would they believe that the bible and science totally agree. My advice is for him and other want to be Christians to read the Bible for themselves instead of that Satan (or satin) called preacher.
Interesting - a degree in Chemistry - an MD - a 9,000 year old earth with 10,000 year + frozen mammoth carcasses but no un-petrified remains of dinosaurs. God therefore created what appear to be millions of years of dinosaur fossils to deceive mankind. Last time I checked, deceit was in the realm of Satan and man.
On the brighter side - math will be so much simpler with Pi adjusted by law to an even 3.00.
Oh - just a heads up - a medical degree does not make one a scientist. An MD could be a scientist - but most are not. Dr. Broun apparently falls into the latter category.
Fossils only exist when we're discussing fossil fuels. Otherwise that's hogwash Adam!
#jokingwithyou ;-)
Ha, ha - gotcha - my <snark> button is permanently disabled - gets me in all sorts of trouble.
Should'a seen the response I got to my "Obama's secret Kenyan communist terrorist love child" spoof. I figure the Republicans will release a similar statement about 3 days before the election.
You might appreciate this - several religious groups promote Hubble pictures of the universe - and mention that such and such a star is 100 million light years away - apparently not understanding that we are seeing the star as it was 100 million years ago - not 9,000 years ago.
Most Christians are not irrational - however, it appears that those who are irrational have gone into politics.
Amazing what a frontal lobotomy can do to a scientific mind. Poor guy.
I live in Broun's District and am hanging my head in shame. I have never voted for the man but he is running UNOPPOSED in this election. Why can't people understand they are free to believe and worship anything they want in the U.S., that's what is so great about our country. You can believe in Barney the Dinosaur if you wish and still be elected to congressional office. You just CANNOT make decisions for the government based on your belief in the cult of Barney. And when my elected representative, who is on the Science and Technology Committee, begins touting the fact he bases all his governing decisions on his personal religious belief, there is a HUGE PROBLEM, HOUSTON. He denies not only evolution and the Big Bang, but embryology. How can you DO that and call yourself an M.D.? All Southerners are not this stupid, but there are pockets of fanaticism everywhere and this District is dominated by the Tea Party. This small fanatical movement is determined to take this country down the path of believing as they do or bring it to its knees. Now that is why I think the Tea Party is our own American brand of the Taliban.
It doesn't surprise me that the GOP put this guy on the science committee, this is the same party that put Michelle Bachmann on the intelligence committee.
I'm guessing it was 'opposite day' when they were making assignments.
OMG - this sounds like it came straight out of the Dark Ages. And this man is serving on a SCIENCE committee? Unbelievable!
What the hell kind of church has a wall-o-severed deer heads??
The real religion of Southern fundamentalists is killing creatures. It's their version of "having dominion."
This may be a bit off the political tract, but if the USA has a large population of Christian believers and the center of their belief is Jesus Christ, how do we reconcile the miracles He is said to have performed with science as we know it? I figure Rachel Maddow has a pretty intelligent base of fans and maybe they could shed some light on how they reconcile these things in their minds. I am well educated and have been raised a Catholic and have left the Catholic Church for a more Bible based religion. I am a nurse, also, and understand the rigors of the scientific community and the need of the poor and neglected. I'm not sure there is any religion or any politician out there who would fill my bill as a great candidate.
Religion should not be a consideration in your selection of a candidate. The founding fathers (many of whom were Christians) did not leave God out of the Constitution by accident. They understood the divisiveness that would ensue between denominations if they were given official recognition. (What do your Evangelical friends really think of Catholics? Didn't they expect you to be baptized again?)
The Democratic and Republican visions of a future America could not be more different. If you find the the Republican vision of privatization of all government services, extermination of unions, replacement of Federal law with extremely powerful state law guided by Old Testament Biblical law, and the removal of any restrictions on the behavior of corporations an attractive one, you should vote a straight Republican ticket.
If you think that that might not be such a good idea - consider a vote for the Democrats - much more freedom to practice any religion - or none - much better chance at having some income in your old age rather than being thrown to the mercies of an unregulated stock market.
If you stay home you will in effect be voting for the Republicans.
Adam_Selene
They DID expect me to be baptized again. I did it willingly because I felt renewed in the understanding of baptism and of the bible. I didn't find it divisive. I found it reaffirming and renewing.
I do understand the stances of both parties and I agree more with the Democratic policies. My husband and I try to stay up on the latest developments among the parties. But when it comes to religion versus science, my question is if you accept Christ, as many people do, then you have to deal with the miracles he performed. How, in this modern world, do we deal with a religious figure whose followers believed and witnessed the suspension of scientific laws?! How do Christians reconcile that?! The nuns in science classes taught us evolution. La Salle University, my alma mater, offered excellent science classes. So I have a good foundation in the sciences. I have a degree in computer science, humanities and nursing, but reconciling the things that are common knowledge about Christ, and the scientific laws of the universe, requires a change of heart, a change of mind towards a possibility of a supernatural that has our concerns at heart. I can appreciate the world and all it's laws, but I am happier believing that there is a supernatural being who has our happiness in mind. I don't think I am alone in thinking this way. I also think it disturbs many people when politicians spew ignorance like this poor chap.
A belief in miracles does not negate a belief in a rational predictable universe. Jesus grew up, worked and died playing by the "rules" of a rational universe - except for the miracles he performed during his ministry. Even then, He said we could do the same except for our lack of faith. I guess that leads us to what exactly a miracle is - an event happens for which humans can give no explanation and cannot duplicate - as a nurse - my guess is that you have seen one or two. Perhaps some day we will be able to explain them - but I think not.
Main problem is that the theocratic right of the Republican party is giving Christians an ultimatum - believe in the Bible or believe in the scientific method - when the choice is neither necessary or correct.
This is the thinking that really really scares me. *shudder*
Typical republican congressmen! Not only this Paul Broun, Todd Akin, Sarah Palin, and many more... They don't seem to believe in science. Maybe we should ask Mitt Romney what he thinks of science.
"Congress" and "Science" are two words that should never appear together in the same sentence.
It seems that the disease is wide-spread:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qoeMm0Tm95M
*head/desk
Extremists in any religion are a danger to everyone. The fact that this is a representative in congress makes this a little more concerning. I personally was brought up Catholic but getting older and learning about other religions has led me not believe in any organized religions. Power corrupts and the religious followers feel their beliefs are right and everyone should believe the same. (Reminder, I'm talking extremists here.) This country will not get into a class war but the chances are pretty good that some sort of religious fight will show up in the near future. Look at some of the concerns now Gay rights, same sex marriage, abortion, women's right to equal pay, contraception. Republicans constantly are saying they want to follow the constitution but walk all over equal rights for everyone.
But there is a bright side: the thrilling part of this news is that we have some truly brilliant and hardworking scientists literally moving the earth to make it look like the earth is millions of years old! s
"How do you know the Bible is the true word of God?"
Broun: "It says it."
"Where does it say it?"
Broun: "In the Bible."
"Oh, I see. That proves it then?"
Broun: "Of course."
Has anyone queried Rep. Broun about his position on the Constitutional principle of the separation of church and state?
I can save you some time on that - he does not believe in a separation of church and state but holds Dominionist views - the Bible and Biblical law should take precedent over the Constitution.
"But it [the Bible] teaches us how to run all our public policy and everything in society. And that’s the reason, as your congressman, I hold the Holy Bible as being the major directions to me of how I vote in Washington, D.C., and I’ll continue to do that.”
http://irregulartimes.com/index.php/archives/2012/10/08/tirade-by-congressman-paul-broun-on-evolution-steps-beyond-arena-of-a-religious-test/
Check out Robert Heinlein's time line and Nehemiah Scudder 2012
Adam, if that is true and hes voting on biblical law instead of constitutional law, then he's voilating the vows he took in the congressional oath of office. and not should be removed, but MUST
Ah, but there's the beauty - he could claim freedom of religion.
He may be wrong, because if what he says , he beleives to be the truth, then we would still be on the sixth day, Earth has not been created, it is still an unfinished work of art. And now much needed repairs are in order. Time and dates are man made, so that would include years, The Earth is young but, 9,000 years is an inaccurate way to describe it.
Seems like someone in the house leadership should have made sure a Luddite like this guy is not in any kind of position to influence any debate on Science and Policy. Sorry I forgot that this fool is a republican. Besides I thought this kind of ignorance was over after the Scopes Trial.
The intellectual hypocrisy is incredible. I wonder if their disbelief in science leads Broun and his ilk refuse their prescription medications as well? Clearly they're avoiding the psychiatrist. http://theanonymousanthropologist.com/?p=371
The thing that worries me the most is the fact that Rep. Broun was appointed to the science committee by the Republican leadership, who apparently believe he has an important contribution to make. What does this say about John Boehner, Eric Cantor, etc? Do they share his views? Or have they decided (again) that sucking up to the party base is more important than effectively handling the business of government?
Rach, The Evangelical left is coming out against right wing politicos. I was chatting with my good friend Rich Cizik, asking him to publish on women's issues, and it's turned into a big deal. E.J. Dionne, from MSNBC, will be on the panel. Here's the release:
The New Evangelical Partnership for the Common Good
EVANGELICALS ANNOUNCE SUPPORT FOR FAMILY PLANNING, CONTRACEPTION, AND ABORTION REDUCTION
The New Evangelical Partnership for the Common Good will release its document, "A Call to Common Ground on Family Planning, Maternal and Children's Health," at an event that will bring evangelicals together with activists and health experts to discuss a crisis for millions of women and children here in the United States and around the world.
Location: National Press Club, First Amendment Room
Date: October 15, 2012
Time: 9:30-11:00am
Leading journalists, pollsters, and scholars will discuss how the "New Evangelicals" movement is shaping modern Evangelicalism away from the perception of being fear-mongering, anti-intellectual, right-wing politicos toward a new image of activists inspired by their faith to do good work promoting justice, compassion, peace, interfaith understanding, and creation care.
Speakers include:
Chalice Press and Wm. B. Eerdman's will provide copies of A New Evangelical Manifesto (Chalice Press, September, 2012) and America's New Evangelicals: Expanding the Vision of the Common Good (Wm.B. Eerdmans, January, 2012). Copies of Islam In America:The Christian Truth, a powerful documentary by NEP Executive Director Steven D. Martin, will also be available.
For more information, please contact Jessica Magers-Rankin at jmr@newevangelicalpartnership.org. Phone: 865-483-6823.
I am offended by that herd of bodiless deer. How dare he speak as though he believes the Bible when he obviously supports killing for sport.
I agree, what he said was ugly. But the visual - I just cannot get past how horrific that is as well!
I am in my first semester of college (going back to earn a degree in computers). I paid good money to take a a prerequisite science class with a lab. I choose Geology, and it meets for three hours a day, twice a week.
I feel so cheated of my time and money now! I guess me and my whole class are gonna go to hell too. :(
This comment was brought to you by the letter S for sarcasm. #savebigbird