MR. VANDEHEI: Senator McCain, this comes from a Politico.com reader and was among the top vote-getters in our early rounds. They want a yes or on. Do you believe in evolution?SEN. MCCAIN: Yes.MR. VANDEHEI: I?m curious, is there anybody on the stage that does not agree — believe in evolution?(Senator Brownback, Mr. Huckabee, Representative Tancredo raise their hands.)SEN. MCCAIN: May I — may I just add to that?MR. VANDEHEI: Sure.SEN. MCCAIN: I believe in evolution. But I also believe, when I hike the Grand Canyon and see it at sunset, that the hand of God is there also.
Anyone else agree?
Peter Nuhn
I am surprised any republican admitted to belief in evolution. I saw Mccain on Charlie Rose, he stated when ask who he most respected in history, Charles Darwin was the answer. I was shocked, doesn’t he know who pays his bills? Then he does the backpedal. I am not sure christians would vote for him even with the backpedal. I would still prefer him over Bush. He will at least attempt to kiss smart peoples asses. That is a far cry from what we have now. Bush actively thwarts and hampers anyone who says what he won’t believe in.
I personally don’t care for any of the candidates for president. They all have issues. Republican or Democrat they all are owned by someone. We have serious problems that cannot be solved by party politics. There are many options available that neither party see. We need someone smart, honest and tough. We need a leader to think outside the box so to speak. Like I said none of them have these qualities on either side.
A little off topic, but since people have been talking about the books by Dawkins and Harris, I’d like to recommend Doubt: A History, by Jennifer Michael Hecht. It came out a little before the recent spate of atheist books, which is too bad because I’m sure sales would have greatly benefited from the associated publicity. It’s an historical treatment of religious unbelief, and it’s a great complement to the more current events oriented books by Dawkins, Harris, and Dennett. It’s one of the best books on the subject I’ve read (and I’ve read pretty much all the important ones).
Hi What,
Thank you for your supportive words.
Interesting point you made to Matt2h: You ask: Is there a person on earth that does not have this requisite training?
To me, that quote reads as jibberish code for theistic anti-intellectualism.
There are those among the religious ranks who say we have no innate, sense of reason or morality. This way, of course, they can provide them for us.
Well, sorry God et al, but evolution selected altruism and analytical skills among early humans way before the frightened among us got around to fabricating you.
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Does your wife’s father kick the dog too? These people cannot handle the message, so they attack the messenger. Tell him I’ll be his new whipping boy, if he’s got the balls.
Thanks Apple
Heard Hecht’s book interview today on NPR. Will add to must-read list.
…have thoroughly enjoyed Dawkins, Harris, and Dennett….important and timely information
Tuen
“Tell him I’ll be his new whipping boy, if he’s got the balls.”
Thanks for the support. I have got him under control. Bully’s are a lot lot easier to handle than passive agressives.
Tuen
Yeh. I’m not sure what Matt meant by
but at best it seems very NOMA (see Dawkins, pg 54) which is just silliness.
Hi What,
I was a bit rigid with my critique. After reviewing NOMA, it’s all much more clear to me. You da man…Thx
Hi What again,
Upon reflection, I realize my rather reptilian comment regarding your father-in-law was a bit insensitive.
I know you understand where I was coming from, but I’d still like to apologize.
So onward to the debate on the 9th….this should be interesting…..