Three of the four Republicans running for lieutenant governor are tripping over each other in the rush to pander to the extreme right wing of their party.
The issue this time is creationism. Should it be taught in our state’s public schools? Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples and state Sen. Dan Patrick say “yes.” Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson stopped short of that declaration.
http://www.texastribune.org/2013/12/12/texas-lt-gov-hopefuls-voice-support-creationism/
They traveled to Waco the other day to debate among themselves. By golly, three-fourths of them are creationists. They believe in the biblical version of Earth’s creation and they want it taught in public schools.
Me? I think creationism should be taught in Sunday school, in church where people worship their faith — where I worship my faith.
Even though Patterson didn’t jump on the creationism bandwagon directly in Waco, he said this: “Show me where that’s in the Constitution, because it’s not in the Constitution. I see nothing wrong with standing up at least for a moment of silence, let those who wish to pray pray in their own faith. I see nothing wrong with having a prayer before a high school football game.”
Well, I believe the First Amendment is pretty clear that Congress shall make no laws establishing a state religion. I do agree with him, however, that prayer before a high school football game doesn’t violate the Constitution, if someone other than a public school administration calls for it.
Creationism is a tenet of one’s faith. Evolution is science, backed up by mountains of empirical evidence. One should be taught in church, the other should be taught in publicly funded school classrooms.
Here’s where it gets sticky, in my view. I do not see any contradiction in the two notions.
Creationism, according to my reading of the Bible, does not stipulate that God created the Universe in six calendar days.
Therefore, I do not see the contradiction between what Scripture tells us and what scientists have uncovered relating to the evolution of the universe.
Am I less of a believer in God than my friends who interpret Scripture differently? I think not.
Amen.