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Why doesn’t Rick Perry believe in science?

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Humanist Examiner

 Thursday, in  Portsmouth, N.H., Republican presidential candidate and Texas Governor Rick Perry lied to a little boy about science by implying evolution and creationism are equally valid scientific theories. 

When questioned about evolution Perry told the child : “In Texas we teach both creationism and evolution in our public schools; Because I figure you're smart enough to figure out which one is right."
 
Perry is wrong. Texas public schools are not teaching creationism (also known as Intelligent Design) despite the repeated efforts of Christian fundamentalists to force their religious convictions into the Texas science classroom.
 
Evolution and creationism are not equally valid scientific theories. Evolution is the foundation of modern biology and accepted science, while creationism is an expression of religious teachings. Evolution is valid science; creationism is not, despite the protests of religious conservatives.   
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Ed Brayton, co-founder and president of Michigan Citizens for Scienceand co-founder of The Panda's Thumb, explains it like this:
 
Evolution is one of the strongest theories of science. For the past 150 years it has been enormously successful at predicting the nature of new evidence and has shown enormous explanatory power over a dozen fields of science. Intelligent Design explains nothing and relies on misleading arguments and "god of the gaps" reasoning. They are not equivalent in any way.
 
As one might expect, Thursday’s Twitter stream erupted after Perry’s controversial and mistaken remarks. The following is a sample of relevant tweets:
 
NOT so true that creationism is taught alongside evolution in Texas public schools. That's either a lie or Rick Perry is clueless

So...Rick Perry suggested the Fed chairman be murdered and says evolution is "out there" as a theory.

Rick Perry says that #evolutionhas some holes in it. Maybe. But, does he mean to imply that the Bible doesn't?

Rick Perry dismisses global warming and evolution as "just a theory." I hope the "theory" of gravity is disproved & he flies off the Earth.

Let's be honest: If you're voting for Perry, you're not so much concerned with things like "science" and "facts".

Reps newest "hot" candidate, Perry, doesn't believe in evolution or global warming. Wow.

Perry’s failure to accept evolution is part of a pattern. Republicans in general have a hard time accepting the truth in the theory of evolution, despite the fact that the scientific community has long accepted evolution as the foundation of modern biology.
 
Yet not all Republicans are scientifically illiterate. Immediately after Perry’s controversial remarks on evolution fellow Republican, presidential candidate and former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman issued the following tweet:
 
To be clear. I believe in evolution and trust scientists on global warming. Call me crazy.
 
Why doesn't Rick Perry believe in science?
Why doesn't Rick Perry believe in science?
Photo credit: 
Getty
Rick Perry lies to a little boy.

Video: Rick Perry's science fail

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Michael Stone is a progressive freethinker and freelance writer residing in Portland, Oregon. Informed by science, inspired by art, and motivated by compassion, Michael’s task is to question the world in pursuit of the good. You can reach Michael at stonemichael@hotmail.com.

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