Scott Walker ‘punts’ on evolution question

[Paul98]

I actually think that's a great question, as it is very telling about how the person thinks.

 

[JD50]

I actually think that's a great question, as it is very telling about how the person thinks.

Agreed.

 

[dank69]

I actually think that's a great question, as it is very telling about how the person thinks.

Agreed.

I highly doubt Walker doesn't believe in evolution. He just knows that saying he does believe in evolution will hurt him in the primaries.

 

[emperus]

I highly doubt Walker doesn't believe in evolution. He just knows that saying he does believe in evolution will hurt him in the primaries.

And so, when he is president which policies will he put forward. Those he "may" believe in or those that won't hurt him with his constituents? That's what made it a good question.

Btw, isn't it crazy that you don't know whether he definitely does?

 

[dank69]

And so, when he is president which policies will he put forward. Those he "may" believe in or those that won't hurt him with his constituents? That's what made it a good question.

Btw, isn't it crazy that you don't know whether he definitely does?

Yeah, I'd like to think he does, but I don't know much about him. I'd be willing to believe that somebody like Santorum doesn't.

 

[SlowSpyder]

I highly doubt Walker doesn't believe in evolution. He just knows that saying he does believe in evolution will hurt him in the primaries.

Maybe he does, maybe he doesn't. But you are right. He's acting like a typical politician who wants to be elected, but doesn't think people need to know how he feels about things... just wants to be in charge, but don't worry about his stance on things.

 

[Doc Savage Fan]

"we are created by God" implies that he does not believe that humans evolved over millions of years. Yes you could take that statement several different ways, which is probably why he should just give a yes or no answer.

Surely you know that believing in God and evolution are not mutually exclusive beliefs and that this is essentially what he said quite clearly last Wednesday. When one believes in both, a simple 'yes' or 'no' answer is insufficient as it creates unintended false implications. On one hand if he says "I believe we are created by God", many will falsely believe that this implies that he doesn't believe in evolution...and on the other hand if he says, "I believe in evolution" this in turn falsely implies to many that he doesn't believe in God. Simple questions for some are not simple questions for others.

 

[emperus]

Surely you know that believing in God and evolution are not mutually exclusive beliefs and that this is essentially what he said quite clearly last Wednesday. When one believes in both, a simple 'yes' or 'no' answer is insufficient as it creates unintended false implications. On one hand if he says "I believe we are created by God", many will falsely believe that this implies that he doesn't believe in evolution...and on the other hand if he says, "I believe in evolution" this in turn falsely implies to many that he doesn't believe in God. Simple questions for some are not simple questions for others.

Sorry, it is a simple question with a simple response. Of course I do.

 

[JD50]

Surely you know that believing in God and evolution are not mutually exclusive beliefs and that this is essentially what he said quite clearly last Wednesday. When one believes in both, a simple 'yes' or 'no' answer is insufficient as it creates unintended false implications. On one hand if he says "I believe we are created by God", many will falsely believe that this implies that he doesn't believe in evolution...and on the other hand if he says, "I believe in evolution" this in turn falsely implies to many that he doesn't believe in God. Simple questions for some are not simple questions for others.

No it's pretty clear. If you're asked specifically if you believe in evolution and your answer is that you believe that God created humans, it's pretty obvious what you're saying. There is no reason to bring God or religion into the discussion in the first place.

I'm not sure how saying "I believe in evolution" implies that you don't believe in God. Does saying "I believe the earth is round" or "I believe the earth revolves around the sun" imply that you don't believe in God?

 

[Doc Savage Fan]

No it's pretty clear. If you're asked specifically if you believe in evolution and your answer is that you believe that God created humans, it's pretty obvious what you're saying. There is no reason to bring God or religion into the discussion in the first place.

Walker answered the evolution question last Wednesday...he believes in evolution. Feel better or do you want to beat this dead horse some more?

I'm not sure how saying "I believe in evolution" implies that you don't believe in God. Does saying "I believe the earth is round" or "I believe the earth revolves around the sun" imply that you don't believe in God?

You've already stated that believing in God implies that one doesn't believe in evolution (do I need to quote you?)...yet you seem to be completely oblivious to the converse example I cited. I know that this may come as a surprise to some, but Scott Walker is a politician and he knows a loaded question when he see one. I personally liked his initial response. I imagine that when he is asked this question again (and he will), you'll see the answer you wish to see...and much of his base will see the answer they wish to see as well.

 

[Retro Rob]

I actually think that's a great question, as it is very telling about how the person thinks.

No, it doesn't actually. If he were to say "yes, I believe in evolution", then he's just revealed that he isn't thinking....just pandering.

 

[JD50]

Walker answered the evolution question last Wednesday...he believes in evolution. Feel better or do you want to beat this dead horse some more?


You've already stated that believing in God implies that one doesn't believe in evolution (do I need to quote you?)...yet you seem to be completely oblivious to the converse example I cited. I know that this may come as a surprise to some, but Scott Walker is a politician and he knows a loaded question when he see one. I personally liked his initial response. I imagine that when he is asked this question again (and he will), you'll see the answer you wish to see...and much of his base will see the answer they wish to see as well.

Yes, please provide that quote, if I actually said that then I need to correct myself.

 

[Doc Savage Fan]

Yes, please provide that quote, if I actually said that then I need to correct myself.

Here you go.

"we are created by God" implies that he does not believe that humans evolved over millions of years. Yes you could take that statement several different ways, which is probably why he should just give a yes or no answer.

 

[michal1980]

didn't know evolution now turned into a religion that one has to believe in.

 

[JD50]

Here you go.

I'm not sure why you are reading that into what I said. He was asked specifically if he believed in evolution and his (eventual) response was that he believes God created humans. That implies that you believe that God created humans and we did not evolve over millions of years.

Someone simply believing in God does not imply that they are creationists. I know plenty of theists that believe in evolution. Nowhere have I said that believing in God implies that you don't believe in evolution.

I hope that clears up your confusion.

 

[justoh]

I actually think that's a great question, as it is very telling about how the person thinks.

Nah. Question was stupid.

It's unimportant what else he believes or doesn't since there's no sensible basis for him believing things if he's a theist.

You can't use the acceptance of or believe in evolution as some kind of test, since it doesn't take much for people to believe or accept something. The reasons for believing something are what's important. On its own, acceptance of evolution says very, very little about someone.

 

[alzan]

No, it doesn't actually. If he were to say "yes, I believe in evolution", then he's just revealed that he isn't thinking....just pandering.

How does one "believe" in something that's established fact?

 

[Doc Savage Fan]

I'm not sure why you are reading that into what I said. He was asked specifically if he believed in evolution and his (eventual) response was that he believes God created humans. That implies that you believe that God created humans and we did not evolve over millions of years.

Someone simply believing in God does not imply that they are creationists. I know plenty of theists that believe in evolution. Nowhere have I said that believing in God implies that you don't believe in evolution.

I hope that clears up your confusion.

I thought your post that I quoted was actually quite clear. BTW, you're dishonestly framing Walker's answer. He said he believed in science ffs. Is this really that difficult for you to understand and accept?

“Both science and my faith dictate my belief that we are created by God,” he said. “I believe faith and science are compatible, and go hand in hand.”

 

[JD50]

How does one "believe" in something that's established fact?

I agree that "accept" is probably a better word to use, but I think everyone knows what you mean when you ask "Do you believe in evolution."

 

[alzan]

I agree that "accept" is probably a better word to use, but I think everyone knows what you mean when you ask "Do you believe in evolution."

I know, I just try to be accurate when choosing words to use so that my meaning can't/won't be misconstrued by those who play the word usage game.

 

[Retro Rob]

How does one "believe" in something that's established fact?

I think this was mentioned, but that kind of shows that you don't understand it, and if you don't understand it, believing it doesn't make you anymore a critical thinker that theists.

I think most people don't understand it, but if science says its true, then it's true -- that's the position I've seen people take 7/10 times.

 

[JD50]

I thought your post that I quoted was actually quite clear.

Yes my post was very clear, it did not say that all Theists are creationists. Again, I'm not sure why you were confused.

BTW, you're dishonestly framing Walker's answer. He said he believed in science ffs. Is this really that difficult for you to understand and accept?

I am not. He said that he believes God created humans. The Theory of Evolution says nothing about God and it certainly doesn't say that God created humans. There is only one reason to bring up God when asked about evolution and we all know that reason.

You're right he does say that he "believes in science", which conflicts with believing that "God created humans" when discussing evolution. It's a very confusing statement, which is why he should have just come out and said exactly what he believes.

It sounds like he "believes in science" as long as it doesn't conflict with his religion, which isn't really "believing" in science in the first place.

BTW I don't particularly care about Scott Walker, I just thought it was an interesting discussion.

 

[piasabird]

I consider evolution on the same level as Leprechauns or wee people. Might as well believe in fairies and Peter Pan.

 

[JD50]

I consider evolution on the same level as Leprechauns or wee people. Might as well believe in fairies and Peter Pan.

Why?

 

[Doc Savage Fan]

Yes my post was very clear, it did not say that all Theists are creationists. Again, I'm not sure why you were confused.

And I never said that you said all Theists are creationists...NEVER. If anyone is confused here, I think it might be you.

I am not. He said that he believes God created humans. The Theory of Evolution says nothing about God and it certainly doesn't say that God created humans. There is only one reason to bring up God when asked about evolution and we all know that reason.

You're right he does say that he "believes in science", which conflicts with believing that God created humans when discussing evolution. It's a very confusing statement, which is why he should have just come out and said exactly what he believes.

It sounds like he "believes in science" as long as it doesn't conflict with his religion, which isn't really "believing" in science in the first place.

BTW I don't particularly care about Scott Walker, I just thought it was an interesting discussion.

And now you're speculating that Walker really doesn't believe in science even though he clearly said so two days ago? I see no sense in continuing at this point as it's now quite apparent that your imagination is much more persuasive than Scott Walker's actual words or I could ever hope to be.