Sarah Palin Says She Open To Teaching Creationism In Public Schools

Boston Globe :

John McCain's vice-presidential pick, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, is an evangelical Protestant with a strong record of opposition to abortion and an openness to teaching creationism in the public schools.

Palin is the mother of five children, one of whom was born with Down Syndrome. She learned that her son had Down Syndrome when she was four months pregnant, and she told the Associated Press in May that she never considered ending the pregnancy. "We've both been very vocal about being pro-life," she said in the AP interview. "We understand that every innocent life has wonderful potential." Palin also said of her son, whose name is Trig Paxon Van Palin, "I'm looking at him right now, and I see perfection. Yeah, he has an extra chromosome. I keep thinking, in our world, what is normal and what is perfect?"

Read the whole story: Boston Globe

Comments

[Mozart123]

See Kitzmiller v. Dover Sch. Dist., 400 F. Supp. 2d 707 (2005). Pennsylvania US District Court ruled creationism was religion, not science. Creationism in this case was deemed in violation of the Pennsylvania Constitution and the Establishment Clause, i.e., the First Amendment to the United States Constitution. Palin would not succeed in having creationism taught in public schools. Leave it to the homeschoolers, bible schools, or anyone else, as long as they do not receive any federa, state, or municpal assistance or funds.

[RationalBostonian]

This issue goes well-beyond creationism in science class; it goes to the power of conservative religious fundamentalism to close its follower's mind to all reason and scientific truth. Most dogmatic religions have no way to incorporate new ideas, especially if they seemingly contradict dogma, possibly for fear of eroding all the religious tenets if even one is allowed to be questioned.

Remember that at one point: the Earth was the flat, center of the universe,  the telescope was a heretical instrument, and disease was caused by lack of piety. How did those notions go away? Religious dogma succumbed to the weight of scientific evidence to the contrary.

The schism between Evolution and Creationism will remain until science can demonstrate mutating one species' DNA derive another one.  When we can chemically create human DNA from that of a distant prehistoric mammalian relative, religious dogma will be forced to abandon its creation myths.

There is no room for science and contradictory religious dogma to co-exist. If religion is the adherence and devotion to some unquestioned dogma and maintained that 2+2=5, then the faithful would be expected to believe and defend that proposition. Scientists would defend 2+2=5, until repeated observable discovery showed that 2+2 did equal 4. Science allows for new information, most religious dogma does not.

My concern is that conservative religious fundamentalism seems to institutionalize rejecting scientific truths. Scientific truths about evolution, global climate change, and stem cell research all become casualties of fundamentalist thinking: substituting mythology for reason.

[MadJeffersonian]

Creationism should be taught in school alright...Sunday school.

[winchestereast]

we are a country founded with separation of church and state as a basic principle - creationism is a christian beilef, appropriate for study in a comparative religion course by older students considering the many alternative religious beliefs concerning the origin of our world - it is not a science and cannot be ' taught' in any public school setting - this woman represents a dangerous shift to government by sect - -

[JannyKaye]

Actually, Muslims, Jews, and Christians all believe in creationism as described in Genesis. Kids should know that.

[mikie63]

Which of the following words do fundamentalists, christians, catholics, evangelicals, etc. think are the most important ones?

THINK or BELIEVE

DECIDE or FAITH

SIN or LOVE

I could go on but I wont.

[hyjanks]

What seems to be missing from all of these posts on HuffPost is an examination of two obvious reasons why Palin was selected . . .
Numero uno: The Republicans are finally thinking beyond tomorrow. They picked Palin to assure themselves that they will LOSE this election. They are reasonably certain that Obama and company won't even scratch the surface as far as cleaning up the incredible mess they've created over the last seven years. So, come the latter half of 2011, they will be shouting to the heavens that the Democrats haven't solved a thing. The lemming-like, short attention span, anti-intellectual electorate will take their bate and vote them back into office. They are willing to wait for 2012 because it will take at least four years before their personal fortunes made during Bush's years begins to be affected.
Numero two-o: As anyone with half a political brain will agree, Republicans eat their own. If one of them strays from the or doesn't fit "the message"(think O-Neal and Myers), they are immediately replaced. The same with Palin; if within three weeks the poll numbers are overwhelmingly negative because of her, she will be sacrificed for the cause. The powers that be in Alaska will be politely asked to step up the their "investigation" into her scandal(s)--and she be gone, bubba! And, like a good soldier, she'll take her medicine, wait a year, & write a tell-all book about her experiences.
It's no more complicated than that!

[electronicmaji]

Fascism comes to america: dressed in a dress and carrying a baby.

[HowAboutThis]

When I think of fascism, I think of Germany in the thirties. Film from that era show huge crowds and candlelight marches. It was a cult of personality. That doesn't look like the McCain campaign.

[JBoy]

Why am I reading so many comments bashing religion, when Obama's been promoting it?

[Truthosaurus]

Hypocrisy. Obama's unfortunate involvement of religion in his campaign has been condemned in other circles, but not much around here. I would like to see all the candidates cut it out already - they are running for a secular office.

[Independent-for-Obama]

I've seen several comments from people in Alaska who think Palin is doing a fine job as Governor. Do your part to keep her doing that fine job. Vote for Obama/Biden!

As far as Palin's religious beliefs, the obviously moral family man Obama should garner the larger share of the religious vote because he is more worthy, far more worthy, than McCain. I was concerned that Bush would see it as his duty to bring on the "rapture." I hope that Palin never gets the chance.

[dabrigadier]

The Obama camp dosen't need to do anything just watch & let John Mc Cain & his Granddaughter running with him implode on his silly self for picking this lady who like shoot hunt moose, & kill -polar bears! Brilliant pick you ...you...you...idiot!

[Blogosynthesis]

This is, on one level, a silly and absurd discussion. Anyone who wants to teach religious doctrine as part of a public school curriculum is downright un-American and has no business holding elected office.

The Obama campaign needs to be aggressive on these points and not fear the religious right wing fanatics. The more light shed on these undemocratic extremists the better.

[Nyland8]

Point taken.

8

[depot]

The religious right and its politicians do more than spread myth. They formulate public policy. AIDS is not a disease it is wrath from God. The morning after bill and condoms should be illegal.

A little girl that becomes pregnant as a result of being raped does not have the right to decide what to do with her body. However, once the child is born it and its mom are on their own.

When natural disasters happen and hundreds die and thousands loose everything it again is divine intervention. Many see it as an opportunity to enrich themselves because God has given them this opportunity.

Biology and history should be reduced to watching re-runs of the Flintstones. The study of civics should be reduced to reading the Bible. The most qualified should not be allowed to work in government. Only those that can be screened to insure they hold the "right" beliefs should be hired.

Wars should not be limited to self defense. Those that hold other religions need to be converted by any means necessary. God has given us dominion over the earth and they are free to exploit it to the extent that we may perish. Our demise has already been determined and is going to happen any day now. They will be raptured into heaven.

George Bush, John McCain and the Governor of Alaska have and will continue to pursue these policies unless the rest of us stand up to them and say enough.

[Chubbster]

Being a Jesus Freak is her only qualification.

[JBoy]

How does accepting Jesus make one a freak?

[hyjanks]

You tell us since--according to recent polls--atheists are officially the most discriminated -against minority in the world. YOU have branded us "freakish" but the tables may now be turning.

[bikerdude]

There's accepting and then there's ACCEPTING!!!!
If all of you who have "accepted" Cheeses would act like him and follow his core teachings, it would be a wonderful world. Unfortunately you guys/girls start wars in his name, starve and abuse children who have already been born, and declare practioners of any religion other than yours as terrorist, fascists, etc...

[AlgerHiss]

The teaching of creationism in public schools is a threat to civilization as we know it. Worse than Al-Queda and the Taliban put together. Every child who hears it will become an infidel and terrorist worse than Osama bin Laden. 8->

[Shacked]

The Huffington Blog is a crock, anyone who does not tow the silly liberal line does not get posted. So Liberal like, only say what I want to hear or you have no platform. Where I grew up, it was called Preaching to the Choir. Have at it, it is much more easy and enjoyable when no one takes a counter view, but then again, that's why you are demos right.

[PoMoXian]

Um, you're posted. Undercutting your own point, which was pointless to begin with!

[Nyland8]

I've never gotten a single thing posted on a right-wing blog site. Nothing. They offer 0 opposing views, unless they're over-the-top stupid and flakey. They edit a hundred times worse than this site does.

8

[bikerdude]

Geez, I'm glad I NEVER go there...

[Blogosynthesis]

If you can come up with any sensible rationale for teaching Creationism in public schools, I'm all ears.

So far, your side has lost the argument on the merits. Feel free to keep trying!

[Truthosaurus]

While there is no merit to teaching the trumped up evolution vs. creationism "controversy" in public school science class, there is merit in looking at the various candidates attempts to intertwine religion with public office. It is a bit hypocritical for democrats to harp on Palin's ill informed statements, while remaining largely silent (at least on these blogs) to Obama's church tours, and his statement that he wants to establish "God's Kingdom" here on Earth. Biden just advocated praying for those threatened by hurricanes later in the week. How about some real action by Biden, and leave calls to prayer to the preachers. Obama has in the past made some really good well thought out statements on separation of church and state - it's a shame this year he has engaged is so much god talk. I hope once in office it stops.

[Quaoar]

How does this differ from conservative blogs? At least your post made it through. Dissenting opinions on conservative blogs rarely do.

[4moremonths]

First of all, I do not see the McCain's adoptive daughter in the picture. Why is that??
Because of people like Palin, I make it my duty to teach my kids the truth about history and religion and I do not expect any teacher or government official to do it for me. I WISH A TEACHER WOULD SPEW THEIR RELIGIOUS RHETORIC TO ONE OF MY KIDS.I have no problem at all with religion, I just do not want anyone teaching it to my kids w/o my authorization.

[truth2008]

Bridget Mccain is a dark skinned child. Evidently, Mccain favors Megan, his blond child over Bridget! The dark child is hidden, because JM is afraid of how his religious right Jeebuz fr-e-a-ks will respond to her! What a hypocrite, with a hidden agenda!

Obama/Biden 08
Richardson, Sec. of State!