WASHINGTON, Aug. 2 - A sharp debate between scientists and religious conservatives escalated Tuesday over comments by President Bush that the theory of intelligent design should be taught with evolution in the nation's public schools.
In an interview at the White House on Monday with a group of Texas newspaper reporters, Mr. Bush appeared to endorse the push by many of his conservative Christian supporters to give intelligent design equal treatment with the theory of evolution.Recalling his days as Texas governor, Mr. Bush said in the interview, according to a transcript, "I felt like both sides ought to be properly taught." Asked again by a reporter whether he believed that both sides in the debate between evolution and intelligent design should be taught in the schools, Mr. Bush replied that he did, "so people can understand what the debate is about."
Mr. Bush was pressed as to whether he accepted the view that intelligent design was an alternative to evolution, but he did not directly answer. "I think that part of education is to expose people to different schools of thought," he said, adding that "you're asking me whether or not people ought to be exposed to different ideas, and the answer is yes."
I don't have a problem with the president having personal beliefs about religion but they should be kept outside of the oval office.
7 comments:
DO NOT get me started on this - somewhere along the line, these christian right groups have forgotten that in the constitution, there is this little phrase "separation of church and state" and if we don't stop playing with that line drawn in the dirt 230 years ago, we are going to be in some serious sh$#....
It scares me that your president entertains the idea that including intelligent design in the school system is a wise thing. For my religious friends benefit I don't see any incomparability with evolution and creation. The scriptural account is metaphorical, and both accounts start with the "dust of the earth,” where’s the conflict? Evolution is a science, intelligent design is not, it is a religious belief. When is it appropriate to teach religion in a public system designed for people of all faiths?
Does President Bush really believe in the separation of church and state? Are we developing into a world of nations aligned to religious faiths? Isn’t that what we have tried to evolve beyond?
Bill,
I am not happy about this at all and as you can see neither is Bad Maria.
And I know that there are many others who feel this way as well.
There were a number of people who voted for Dubya based upon their belief that he would do a better job of keeping America safe than Kerry, not because they agree with his domestic policies.
Bill said...
Jack I forgot to include one thing in my last post. I have added a link to your site on
The Art of the Rant
I think all of Bush's comments should be kept to himself. Just think, if he didn't utter the famously stupid words, "Bring it on," who knows how many soldiers might be alive today. You speak softly and carry a big stick. As they say in Texas, "he is all hat and not cattle."
M,
I hear you.
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