It’s a simple question with a simple answer:
Do you accept the theory of evolution? Please explain.
The correct answer:
Of course I accept evolution, just as every thinking person should. The scientific evidence points to evolution as the best explanation for all the diversity of life on Earth and there is no credible alternative.
The Chicago Tribune asked this question to all the candidates vying to become Illinois’ next governor.
Their responses are almost all pathetic:
Adam Andrzejewski: “Yes. As a practicing Catholic, I believe that God created Darwin. Let others debate the details.”
So he accepts evolution… but he has to stick in something meaningless about God to please the fundamentalists.
He’s a Republican.
Bill Brady: “I accept the theory of creation, as I was taught, and believe the world has continued to evolve since.”
What does that mean, the “theory of creation”? Does Brady think a god created the world and then evolution took place? Or that a god “intelligently designed” mankind and we’ve been microevolving since then?
In any case, he can’t give a straight answer and he doesn’t understand simple science.
He’s a Republican.
Kirk Dillard: “Science seems to support evolution but there is no doubt that I have seen the hand of God at work in my travels and everyday life.”
It “seems” to support it? No. No waffling. Science does support it.
And no one cares what Dillard thinks about what God does with his hand. That’s irrelevant.
He’s a Republican.
Andy McKenna: “Yes, but I also believe that the process of evolution has been guided by the creative power of God.”
“Yes, but“? No. Just say “Yes, period.”
No one was asking whether you thought God guided it. Stop acting like accepting evolution will somehow piss off the religious voters.
He’s a Republican.
Dan Proft: “The current political class in Springfield make me question the veracity of natural selection. That aside, I do not believe there needs to be a divide between religious belief and the scientific method. … The evidence seems to me fairly clear that, as Pope John Paul II wrote, human beings have a ‘common ancestry of life’ from which we have evolved.”
Cute. Funny. Though there was no need to bring a god or religion into this.
Proft never gives a simple answer, and he uses the Pope to justify his acceptance of evolution, but he handled this better than his fellow Republicans.
Jim Ryan: “Evolution is a reasonable theory. Regardless of the extent of its truth, I believe that God was ultimately responsible for our creation and infused human beings with a soul.”
Reasonable?!
Wearing a seat belt is reasonable. Tying your shoes before running is reasonable. Evolution is not just reasonable. For all intents and purposes, it is a fact and it should be treated as such.
“Regardless of the extent of its truth…?” So he doesn’t completely accept it.
And the last phrase is just pandering to religious nuts and has no basis in reality.
Ryan doesn’t really accept evolution, and he’s trying to sidestep away from directly saying “no.”
He’s a Republican.
Bob Schillerstrom: “I accept the theory of evolution. There is compelling scientific evidence to show that evolution does occur. I also believe science and religion answer life’s questions in complementary ways.”
Good, quick answer.
Last sentence unnecessary. But I can live with that.
He’s a Republican.
…
Of the Republicans, Schillerstrom and Proft gave the best answers.
Sadly, both men are at the bottom of the pile when it comes to current polling.
…
How did the Democrats do?
Dan Hynes: “I accept the theory of evolution.”
…
Pat Quinn: “I believe that the scientific theory of evolution is the best explanation we have for the origin and diversity of species on Earth. As a Catholic, I do not see any discrepancy between my acceptance of widely held scientific principles and my faith in God as the prime mover of the universe.”
Quinn gives basically the same answer as Schillerstrom… that is to say, “I accept evolution… but God exists… so please don’t get mad at me.”
Based on his response to the evolution question, Dan Hynes is getting my vote in the primary.
Incidentally, Hynes is the only viable candidate who also supports gay marriage.
This man needs to be governor.
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