Friday, August 19, 2005
Read the Fine Print
Can anybody tell us what it is about these creationists and intelligent design "theorists" and political corruption, anyway? We've long noted that there seems to be some fine print in the Ten Commandments about lying -- that's the one about bearing false witness for you flatlanders -- it's okay, as long as you're doing it for God.
Now we are beginning to detect a pattern of political corruption among the true believers, as well. Consider these examples:
Now we are beginning to detect a pattern of political corruption among the true believers, as well. Consider these examples:
- Ohio Citizens for Science and the Columbus Dispatch have reported on the behind the scenes maneuvering between religious fundamentalists and Ohio Gov. Bob Taft to introduce intelligent design into the Ohio public school science curriculum. Yesterday, Taft pleaded no contest to charges that he broke state ethics law by failing to report golf outings and other gifts. A judge fined him $4,000.
- Missouri House Rep. Cynthia Davis -- sponsor of an intelligent design textbook bill -- used her campaign funds to pay taxes on a second home.
- Kansas School Board member, creationist, and fiscal conservative Connie Morris recently was forced to reimburse the state for creative expense reporting for her Miami Beach boondoggle.
The moral values crowd has been telling us that the problem with evolution is that it takes God-given laws and morality out of the picture, making human beings into little more than beasts. If we teach evolution, they say, the law of the jungle will prevail.
RSR's take is that biblical literalism and religious fundamentalism seem an easier path to throwing off the shackles of conventional morality. Anything goes if you're doing it for God.
