Florida Senator Marco Rubio, someone who is supposed to be a front runner for the Republican presidential nomination in 2016*, was asked in an interview “How old do you think the Earth is?”.
His answer:
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. I think the age of the universe has zero to do with how our economy is going to grow. I’m not a scientist. I don’t think I’m qualified to answer a question like that. 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. I think parents should be able to teach their kids what their faith says, what science says. Whether the Earth was created in 7 days, or 7 actual eras, I’m not sure we’ll ever be able to answer that. It’s one of the great mysteries.
I’m also not qualified to answer a question like that but I know how to locate the best information available, so as most intelligent, non-scientists would tell you, the correct reply is “I’ll have to Google that.”
There may be “multiple theories” on the age and origins of the universe, but the only ones that should be taught in science classes are those backed by evidence, not myths and legends.
* The fact than anyone is making that assessment two weeks after the previous election is very depressing.
Hi Tim,
I am delighted each time I read a Republican making a statement like that since it means they learned nothing at all from the last election – they are doubling down on the theories, attitudes, and policies that lost them the election. When the conclusion is that “we don’t have to change the message” only “we only have to change how we deliver the message” the party’s denial will help the side of progressives.
Doug
“I think parents should be able to teach their kids what their faith says,” yet I suspect that he is also in favor of using standardized tests to “measure” teacher “quality”. So knowledge = faith=subjective but let’s hold teachers accountable for it all.
o.0?