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Forum Post: Marco Rubio Thinks Evolution Is a "Mystery"

Posted 11 years ago on Nov. 22, 2012, 4:22 p.m. EST by LeoYo (5909)
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Marco Rubio Thinks Evolution Is a "Mystery"

Wednesday, 21 November 2012 11:15 By Jessica Pieklo, Care2 | Op-Ed

http://truth-out.org/opinion/item/12885-marco-rubio-thinks-evolution-is-a-mystery

Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) just got serious about a run for the Republican presidential nomination, telling GQ magazine he’s not sure whether Earth was created by God in seven days or in “seven actual eras” and that parents should be encouraged to teach their children “multiple theories” on the Earth’s age.

In the interview, Rubio, who ironically sits on the Senate’s Science Committee, refused to embrace evolution, calling it “one of the great mysteries” of life. “I’m not a scientist, man. I can tell you what recorded history says, I can tell you what the Bible says, but I think that’s a dispute amongst theologians and I think it has nothing to do with the gross domestic product or economic growth of the United States,” Rubio said in the interview.

Rubio’s comments signal a softened approach to religious extremism by conservatives. Make no mistake about it, these are religiously extremist comments, and they are designed to shore up evangelicals. But Rubio’s rhetorical framing is completely different. In 2010 and 2012 the base took extremist anti-immigrant, anti-woman positions and went on the offensive with them, cramming copy-cat legislation through states across the country. Conservatives framed the debate as one of good v. evil, Christians v. everyone else and voters overwhelmingly rejected the message.

Rubio knows this, which is why his creationism is masked in the language of diversity and inclusiveness. “At the end of the day, I think there are multiple theories out there on how the universe was created and I think this is a country where people should have the opportunity to teach them all,” Rubio said. ”I think parents should be able to teach their kids what their faith says, what science says. Whether the Earth was created in seven days, or seven actual eras, I’m not sure we’ll ever be able to answer that. It’s one of the great mysteries.”

Confusing faith with science and then legislating based off that confusion has been the calling card of the religious right. We’ve seen this on climate change, abortion rights and now, more broadly, basic and core scientific principles that are the foundations of biology, astronomy and most of our science curriculum. Rubio and other religious conservatives would like us to believe that the problem lies in a culture that is hostile to religious rights rather than the fact that this country was founded on the belief of a secular government that kept matters of faith out of matters of civil life.

So, beware this new softened, inclusive tone from conservatives. They may sound like a more sophisticated and tolerant group but when you strip it all away it’s the same religious zealots directing the show.

This piece was reprinted by Truthout with permission or license.

10 Comments

10 Comments


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[-] 2 points by TrevorMnemonic (5827) 11 years ago

Fuck Marco Rubio

[-] 1 points by Coyote88 (-24) 11 years ago

Racist.

[-] 1 points by RedDragon (-161) 11 years ago

Do you know what science becomes when it's no longer a mystery? It becomes words or text - just like those on this one page blog - that may or may not translate into future tech or methodology.

If evolution is no longer a mystery then why are we currently expending so much energy exploring it? If all of the machinations of genetics and microbiology are knowns, then why are why are we doing this?

Science exists precisely because all is a mystery.

The Right can no longer run nationally on a God is central platform, nor can the Left run on a "GOD-DAMNED" platform. So what is this, more psycho babble?

[-] 1 points by VQkag2 (16478) 11 years ago

He's a goddamn right wing wacko religious fundamental case I guess. No evolution, no stem cell research, magic uteri, and curing homosexuals.

Fuckin bronze age philistine.

[-] -1 points by newShep (-179) 11 years ago

Wow I must have really caused you to strike a nerve!!!! Look at you go boy!!!!

[-] 1 points by VQkag2 (16478) 11 years ago

STFU. You're a goddamn amateur. You got nothing but outlandish extremist lies!

Stooge!

[-] -1 points by newShep (-179) 11 years ago

Take a break, walk around the block a few times and drink some water and come back to the forum to try again

[-] 1 points by VQkag2 (16478) 11 years ago

Done.

Your still an ignorant, greedy, selfish, "you're on your own" right wing extremist.

LMFAO.

[-] -1 points by hchc (3297) from Tampa, FL 11 years ago

They should put him and Wasserman on a spaceship to the moon.

Two useless politicians.

[-] 1 points by VQkag2 (16478) 11 years ago

What did Wasserman do.? I think she believes in science. Isn't that what this thread is about.