Scientists might not always agree on the exact date, but there is pretty much a consensus on the age of the Earth. The debate that remains is to whether it is 4.4 to 4.54 billion years. Sorry Ken Ham, there is no valid data which suggests it is much younger.

Back in February, Livescience.com reported that a piece of zircon (pictured left) found in the Jack Hills, substantially reduced the size of the argument. With this crystal, researchers were able to confirm that it was “the oldest rock fragment ever found on Earth — 4.375 billion years old, plus or minus 6 million years.”

So, there is no reason to be unsure about the age of the Earth. Right? That is, unless you are running for President.

Recently, a few sites have examined the various scientific positions of the current candidates. Salon.com graded them all on their acceptance or denial of evolution (more on that in a future article), and Wonkette.com has listed the current batch of Presidential candidates and graded them on their acknowledgement of the age of our planet. Below is a combination of these reports with my commentary.

Republicans

Ted Cruz: Even though he has never commented in public, Cruz has denied climate change, and announced that he was running for office from Liberty University, and Liberty is known for their “young earth” position. Also, as I wrote recently, Cruz’s father works closely with televangelist and faith healer Benny Hinn’s wife. Of course, his views might be different from his Father’s. But who knows.

Even though he has never commented in public, Cruz has denied climate change, and announced that he was running for office from Liberty University, and Liberty is known for their “young earth” position. Also, as I wrote recently, Cruz’s father works closely with televangelist and faith healer Benny Hinn’s wife. Of course, his views might be different from his Father’s. But who knows. Rand Paul: The son of Ron Paul has avoided this question as well. When speaking to the Christian Homeschool Educators of Kentucky in 2010, he responded to the age of the Earth question by saying:

“I forgot to say I was only taking easy questions. I’m gonna pass on the age of the Earth. I think I’m just gonna have to pass on that one.”

Marco Rubio: Rubio is the most recent to throw his hat into the ring. Therefore, he has not yet had an opportunity to answer the question. However, in 2012 he answered thusly:

“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…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.”

Also, it has been reported recently that Rubio’s Miami church teaches Creationism, practices exorcisms, and holds anti-LGBT positions.

Jeb Bush: Bush 3.0 has often dodged these types of questions as well. However, when asked in 2005 if he believed in evolution, he responded:

“Yeah, but I don’t think it should actually be part of the curriculum, to be honest with you. And people have different points of view and they can be discussed at school, but it does not need to be in the curriculum.”

Ugh. And according to Wonkette, along with “straddling the fence on Climate Change, he “has this habit of placing Young Earthers and Creationists into education posts.”

The Lone Democrat

Hillary Clinton: Clinton 2.0 is currently the only Democrat running. She has never commented specifically on the age of the Earth, but in 2007, she said this about evolution:

“I believe in evolution, and I am shocked at some of the things that people in public life have been saying. I believe that our founders had faith in reason and they also had faith in God, and one of our gifts from God is the ability to reason.”

I don’t anticipate that she will change her views on this, but we will see how she alters her answers while she is running for office.

Republican Hopefuls?

So far, it doesn’t look good for Republicans. Nevertheless, we still have lots of time until 2016. Perhaps, there’s a rational candidate in the wings.

Let’s see… Ben Carson and Rick Santorum are out. They are both “Young Earthers.”

Perhaps Louisiana governor Bobby Jindal? No. There’s not much hope there. He has said:

“The reality is I’m not an evolutionary biologist. What I believe as a father and a husband is that local schools should make decisions on how they teach. I think local school districts should make decisions about what should be taught in their classroom.”

Of course, there is Scott Walker. He seems somewhat sane. Nonetheless, when he was asked about evolution in London, He replied:

“I’m gonna have to punt on that one as well. That’s a question a politician shouldn’t be involved in one way or the other.”

Keep Hope Alive!

Brother Richard

Addendum: There has already been some feedback asking why it matters what these people believe. I understand that not everyone reads my stuff “religiously,” but I have written twice recently about why these things do in fact matter quite a bit. Here are links to those two articles:

1. How Religious Beliefs Can Threaten Progress and Perhaps Our Existence

2. The Last Days: Recent Proof That the End Is Nigh

Here’s a link to a fun post on Ted Cruz’s Presidential announcement: Benny Hinn suffers heart attack and I suspect Ted Cruz is to blame

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