Thursday, May 31, 2007

Senator Sam Brownback: "What I think of Evolution"

Brilliant op-ed piece in the New York Times by the Kansas Senator.

Biretta Tip: Fr. Ernesto Obregon via Huw Raphael

IN our sound-bite political culture, it is unrealistic to expect that every complicated issue will be addressed with the nuance or subtlety it deserves. So I suppose I should not have been surprised earlier this month when, during the first Republican presidential debate, the candidates on stage were asked to raise their hands if they did not “believe” in evolution. As one of those who raised his hand, I think it would be helpful to discuss the issue in a bit more detail and with the seriousness it demands.
The premise behind the question seems to be that if one does not unhesitatingly assert belief in evolution, then one must necessarily believe that God created the world and everything in it in six 24-hour days. But limiting this question to a stark choice between evolution and creationism does a disservice to the complexity of the interaction between science, faith and reason.

Read the rest here

Incidently, you'll see that the Senator draws on a basic Thomistic premise, without, of course, citing the Angelic Doctor himself: Gratia non tollat naturam, sed perficiat (Grace does not destroy or supplant nature, but perfects it).

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

They just wanted the Republicans to look like a bunch of religious nuts. Can you see them asking the Democrats the same question? I think his answer was right on the money!
Annie

Benedictus said...

Welcome, Annie!

As I understand it, Senator Brownback is a convert to Catholicism, having been confirmed maybe two years ago. His sponsor was Senator Rick Santorum.