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November 19th, 2012
04:19 PM ET
Rubio ignites debate with answer about creationismBy Dan Merica and Eric Marrapodi, CNN Washington (CNN) – Florida Sen. Marco Rubio attempted to walk the line between science and faith-based creationism in remarks that that have provoked the ire of liberal blogs, leaving the door open to creationism in responding to a recent question about the age of the Earth. When GQ’s Michal Hainey asked Rubio, in an interview released Monday, “How old do you think the Earth is,” the rising Republican star described the debate about the planet’s age as “one of the great mysteries.” “I'm not a scientist, man,” Rubio told the interviewer. “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.” “Whether the Earth was created in seven days, or seven actual eras,” Rubio continued, “I'm not sure we'll ever be able to answer that. It's one of the great mysteries.” Most scientists agree that the Earth is 4.5 billion years old and the universe is 14.5 billion years old. Christian Young Earth Creationists, on the other hand, argue that the weeklong account of God creating the Earth and everything in it represents six 24-hour periods (plus one day of rest) and date the age of the Earth between 6,000 and 10,000 years. Follow the CNN Belief Blog on Twitter Left-leaning blogs and sites like ThinkProgress and Huffington Post jumped on Rubio’s comments, with the Zack Beauchamp from ThingProgress writing, “To suggest we can’t know how old the Earth is, then, is to deny the validity of these scientific methods altogether — a maneuver familiar to Rubio, who also denies the reality of anthropogenic climate change.” Rubio is regarded as a possible Republican presidential candidate in 2016, though the senator says his visit last week to Iowa, home of the first-in-the-nation presidential caucuses, had “nothing to do with 2016.” His response to GQ’s age of the Earth query has also provoked questions about his political aspirations. Dave Weigel of Slate writes, “How can you read that and not think ‘Iowa’? ” The state is the first to hold a presidential caucus in 2016. Forty-six percent of Americans believe that God created humans in their present form at one point within the past 10,000 years, according to a survey released by Gallup in June. That number has remained unchanged for the past 30 years, since 1982, when Gallup first asked the question on creationism versus evolution. CNN’s Belief Blog: The faith angles behind the biggest stories The second most common view is that humans evolved with God's guidance - a view held by 32% of respondents. The view that humans evolved with no guidance from God was held by 15% of respondents. The Gallup poll has not specifically asked about views on the age of the Earth. Rubio attends a Baptist church in southern Florida but also considers himself “a practicing Catholic.” He was born Catholic, but his family converted to Mormonism when Rubio was 8 years old, according to Rubio’s recent memoir. The family left its LDS faith behind when it moved from Nevada back to Florida and Rubio was confirmed in the Catholic Church. Catholic teaching is that science and faith are not at odds with one another and it is possible to believe what scientists say about the Earth’s age and in God. But many evangelical churches, including Baptist ones, promote a version of creationism. When CNN reached out to Rubio’s Baptist church in Florida on Monday, a person answering the phone would not comment on its teachings about the Earth’s age and said that a church representative was unlikely to be available in the near term. During the GQ interview, Rubio argued that “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.” For the past 30 years, the “equal-time argument” –- the idea that Creationism taught alongside evolution -– has been popular method for Creationists to advance their cause. In the late 1980s, some state legislatures passed bills that promoted the idea of a balanced treatment of both ideas in the classroom. In 1987, the issue made it all the way to the Supreme Court, where a Louisiana "equal-time law" was struck down. The court ruled that teaching creationism in public school classrooms was a violation of the Establishment Cause in the Constitution, which is commonly referred to as the separation of church and state. |
  About this blog
The CNN Belief Blog covers the faith angles of the day's biggest stories, from breaking news to politics to entertainment, fostering a global conversation about the role of religion and belief in readers' lives. It's edited by CNN's Daniel Burke with contributions from Eric Marrapodi and CNN's worldwide news gathering team.  |
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Wow – well here we go again. I guess misery loves company. Mr Rubio can soon join Mr Mourdock and Mr Aiken. I'll have one of those salads if it doesn't have walnuts on it.
mama k
How do these guys get elected, it amazes me. Glad to see you are eating healthy, skip the dressing, more calories than mayo.
If they want to teach creationism, they must also include evolution and of course the Gospel of the Flying Spaghetti Monster by the modern day prophet Bobby Henderson, the most compelling theory of our time.
RAmen Peace to all, go ahead open another beer.
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It's not much of mystery, dipsh!t, if you're saying that it was 7 eras or 7 days. What a retard.
Lol. And then he'll come back later and say an old era is a day.
Republicans still haven't learned to shut up when they're set up.
This almost makes me think they actually believe this stuff. Is that possible?
please run this guy in 2016... ex-mormon who doesn't know how old the earth is.
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That just hits the spot. I'll have that for dinner.
LOL
Rubio "planet’s age as “one of the great mysteries.”"
welcome to United States of Dark Age. Why Rubio or any politicians have to be politically correct, when they answer dumb questions?
Republicans are doomed as long as they continue to pander to the blind faith based, anti-science, I've got my head in a dark hole, Christian right. Once a man surrenders his reason, he has no guard against absurdities.
I have seen Jesus the Christ face to face. I have spoken to Him. He ha spoken to me. By the way, I am not a stereotype for you to dismiss. I have a Master's Degree from an Ivy League University. Not that education or degrees are relevant at all. But, to help disabuse you of your preconceived baseless attacks.
You seem fun!
Well then why aren't you famous? Why isn't the world now at peace? Did you present this great news to the world yet?
Did you get an autograph with the savior? Did you shake hands? LOL
Wait, wait, I need to know once and for all: he's not a blond, blue-eyed dude, is he. TELL US.
You've got to be a poe. btw What subject(s) were your degrees? Obviously not science.
Jason, this is just a cry for help. There is no shame in seeing a mental professional and getting the help you need.
There was another person with me. They confirmed what I saw and heard and watched the exchange. We were both amazed. It happened out in the open on the street of a west coast town. It was a personal visit in response to a trial we were going through. I am here to tell you that it actually happened, that Jesus is God, He is real and He cares for his followers. He has compassion for us.
@Jason
Go to Oprah.
As a matter of fact, He is tall , 6-2 is my guess, and yes, He does have blue eyes, at least in His appearance to me. He appeared to me in the guise of an Afirican American man.
Definitely poe
What "ivy league"? What "west coast town"? I call BULLSH!T on your story, Jason.
@Jason
Furthermore go to ALL the talk shows. XD
I would love to see how much of a q-u-a-c-k and messed up f-r-e-a-k you are. And record it!
My friends, this is a true story. It is totally true. Name calling or insults do not change anything. I know Whom I encountered. And, I cannot wait to see Him return in glory to save us and this planet. Every knee shall bow and every tongue confess. As for you who say my story is untrue, you will see someday. God is patient and merciful. He is giving you time to repent.
You need to get a refund for your degree; you've managed to not make any point at all in incomplete sentences.
I will tell you this. His return is near. Very near.
** I smell a Camping follower **
It's you Jason. XD
To the contrary, I am an Eastern Orthodox Christian. The Orthodox Church is the oldest in Christianity.
"His return is near. Very near."
So you can't tell us the name of the Ivy you attended, the name of the west coast town where you say you encountered Jesus, or exactly when he's coming?
What good are you as a prophet, then?
@Jason
The other word that defines you: "n-u-t-c-a-s-e".
That was the peyote, Jason.
Weren't you warned?
So who is your pope?
Let's have our other in-house n-u-t-c-a-s-e-s like Chad or HeavenSent come on in and validate your claims shall we "Jason"?
Let's have them tell us why "they" weren't a part of your "meeting."
Could you tell us on what date you had this meeting (face to face)? I would love to ask Chad or any of the other n-u-t-s on why your god didn't include his other faithful followers on the date you had yours. XD
This happened on April 21, 2011 at about 1 pm. I am not ready to share where this happened nor what University at this point. You can choose to accept or not accept what I have told you. Whether you do or not is completely irrelevant to me. It happened. Other appearances have also happened. But, this is not the place to discuss them. Just understand, you are all competely and utterly deceived. He is real. Jesus is God and He is very alive. He does not reveal Himself to all, but only those who are His followers at His choosing. I had no right for Him to appear to me. But, He had compassion and mercy upon me and of course knew I needed His appearing. I have seen Him. He came to me in my time of diistress. And, not only me but the person with me. Friends, this is all true. More than that I have nothing to say. If any of you want to email me to discuss this privately, let me know.
Sorry Jason, I can prove that you are absolutely wrong. Perhaps you were deceived by Satan
Yes, most west coast cities have at least one homeless guy that will try to convince you he's Jesus. There's one on the corner right by where I work.
Sam
The One who appeared to me as Jesus was well dressed. He was not a homeless man. And, there was another person there with HIm. And, further, I saw them appear out of nowhere as I stepped out of a candy store. I said out loud that this was going to be strange. And, it was. I at first thought they were both angels. I know of no other type of person who can materialize out of thin air a few yard from where I was standing.
Bag of hammers. 6' 2", African American Man, with blue eyes, let me guess Dennis Rodman but I think he is taller.
I am finished here. I have told you the truth. Believe or not, it does not matter to me. May God have mercy upon all of you.
Jason,
I personally met with Jesus just 15 days ago at 3:11 PM eastern time, near a college that I attended and of which I will reveal at a later time. He told me to wait for you to reveal yourself on this blog, this very day. He told me to tell you that Satan was the one who visited with you and now you are going to hell forever. He says he is real sorry though. You can choose to believe this or not but its the truth. Have a nice day.
"This happened on April 21, 2011 at about 1 pm."
==Ok this is for fact – this is your s-t-a-t-e-m-e-n-t. There is no need for private d-i-s-c-u-s-s-i-o-n. This is about god.
You think that an important life changing moment for the world should be hidden from d-i-s-c-u-s-s-i-o-n?
So from you – your personal background is Eastern Orthodox Christian. Another person was with you. And this figure is Afirican American man.Standing at 6'2.
It'll be fun to ask Chad what he was doing at that same time. Asking the Pope would be fun.
"Hey Pope – you know what – you aren't EVEN the slightest more faithful than that "Jason" fella and his buddy because god appeared before them. So there!" <<–Hilarious!
Oh Jason.. if you wouldn't mind.. tell us how old you are?
The average life expectancy is around 80 years. I would like to test how "His return is near. Very near." is going to be.
You'll die before this 'very near' event or would everyone live well before your absurd statement slaps you in the face.
Did he look middle eastern or Italian? Holes in his hands and feet?
Jason, dear, I don't care what you're "ready" to discuss or disclose. Your posts are complete bullish!t unless you provide evidence and details that can be corroborated. That you refuse to do so is telling. If you had any concrete evidence you'd have shouted it from the rooftops and made sure the media were alerted.
You're a liar.
Jason did not have enough brain power to even put together a coherent point of view. So sad. 🙁
You do not have a Master's degree from any accredited college. You may have a "degree" when you were last let out of the hospital. It probably had numbers on it and a billing address for you to remit payment.
Did you forget to take your meds, Jason? Hmmm?
Jason if you get this, I am a believer and want to hear your testimony. Your post said to email you, but your email address isnt posted anywhere.
So from reading your spout of insanity I have discovered multiple inconsitancies in your story.
First, Eastern Orthodox is a Chatholic subset of Christianity, therefore stating that you are an Eastern orthodox Christian is incorrect. You are a Catholic.
Second, the Eastern Orthodox denomination is not the oldest or the first denomination. The Assyrian Church is considered the first organized religious belief that Paul and John spread throughout SouthEastern Europe.
Third, Jesus is usually depicted as a white man, someplaces choose Oriental, and if you follow the not so descriptive story that this fairy tale prepetuates through stupidty you find that "Jesus" originated in the Middle East. Funny how the dominating culture in the area where this supposedly happened doesn't follow the ideals that you hold so dear to your heart.
Fourth, a majority of the events that occured in this fairy tale can be proven, by science. Like the Nile River turning red. It is called an algae bloom and has happened many times before and since the date to which "Christ made the rivers run red". This is caused by a combination of silt and debree washing into the river from heavy rains and mixing with the algae while it is in a massive bloom causing it to change colors from the introduction of new chemicals and materials during the bloom.
Fifth, the decay rate and fossilization of plants and animals which can physically only happen over very distinctive periods of time is proof enough that the planet on which we live was not created 10,000 years ago. If it had, did God place dinosaur fossils to confuse us?
Sixth, the return of Jesus. The rapture. the second, third.... eighteenth coming of Christ? These have all been said to happen on a quadrenial timeframe. Hasn't happened yet though has it? Otherwise you wouldn't be here, would you?
Seventh, and final statement. Noah, how the frick could a 60 year old man, which by the standards of the time was decrepid, build an Arc and gather two of every animal known to man when there are geneticaly different species still being discovered today? Did God create these after the Great Flood? If he did, why didn't he just wipe the slate clean and create all new animals after the flood? If he didn't, then does that mean evolution is true and these new species have eveolved from older ones in the time since this Great flood that only covered the Mediteranean area.
Eighth, I figure one more can't hurt. Back to the location of this ultimate creation, Adam and Eve. They were created in the craddle of life, the valley between the Tigrues and Euphratese river, which is in Iraq(the middle east) and they are depicted quite often as white as well. Wait a tick, didn't Adam and Eve produce three sons? Cain, Abel and Seth. Sooo how did the next generation come about? Did they bed their own mother? Which according to your storybook is a mortal sin called sodomy? But wait, the Christians destroyed Sodom because of their hideous ways.
Your story is full of holes, it was written by man and has flaws just as man. You can interpret the Bible any way you so choose, and I interpret it as a fairy tale and nothing more.
I have seen Superman face to face, no lie he was at my home, I am not kidding.....do you believe me. There are a great number of stories about him existing in our time, I also had dinner with Flash and the Green Lantern, nice guys. I also went to an Ivy League school.
Free to Live
My email address is JL899857@yahoo.com
@Nick. I can vouch for Jason. Re: your unanswered questions, and for a scientific and Biblical answer to the "age" of the Earth, I again refer you to Dr. Gerald Schroeder's book – The Science of God. You will find that BOTH the scientist and the theologian are correct.Holy scientific and Biblical discoveries! The Truth will indeed set you free.
Mark Rubio sounds like a great candidate. He is a true believer in the One True God who created all of this. There is plenty of evidence for a young earth. I will not cast pearls before swine here. You won't accept it. You will follow to antichrist when he comes, though. His lies you will believe.
If you have "evidence for a young earth" I would love to hear it.
However, if you have pseudo-scientific guess work or creationist sophistry, then perhaps it would be best to keep those "pearls" to your self.
There's no evidence for any of the creationist variations on a theme.
A broken record you'd be. A hollow shell full of dogma and fear. We forgive you.
You are a fun lot to laugh at. XD
::eats more popcorn::
Define what you would consider evidence, then.
I wont accept it because I have a brain and I can think for myself. I understand reason and logic and think that why I believe what I believe matters. Unlike you.....
@Jason
Define for everyone your litmus test for miracles. 😛
Anyone got a hose we can put this flaming poe out with?
Continental Drift renders the young earth theory impossible.
Honeybadger, on what basis do you think you have all knowledge so that contrary information is not possible.
@Huebert – lies, dirty filthy lies planted BY SATAN!!
LOL @sam
You nailed that one right out of the ballpark.
Huebert, how did you a)discover continental drift and b) how it disproves a young earth
You said there was evidence. So let's see it.
@Jason
Continental drift.. the long way to measure it:
Stick two sticks on o-p-p-o-s-i-t-e-s sides of the area/plates. Take pictures.. take measurements and wait. XD
Otherwise we learn from all the other scientific disciplines and apply reasoning.
yes.. earth is so young man.. and the god dude.. he put them dinosaur bones just to test us.. test us, man.. but we will not fail him.. we are soo filled with his love we are totally hyper on it.. we are tripping on rainbows coz of his love and we are soo lucky to have that..
I mean, there is sooo much evidence of young earth.. have you seen this rock.. look at it, and you tell me if it can be more than 6000 years.. look at it!! it doesn't look a DAY over 5000!
Jason
A) I didn't discover Continental Drift. It was discovered long before I was born.
B) We are a result of the Indian subcontinent striking the Asia plate. We can measure the speed at which the continental plates move. 6000 or even 10000 years is not nearly enough time for the mountains to have grown as tall as they are.
@ Jason – Grab a book or website teaches"Critical Thinking". Read, apply, and practice. Then grab a book that teaches the Scientific Method. Read until you understand it. Both will steer you away from ignorance. Grab the Holy Bible. Read, laugh, cry, and be relieved that it is all BS.
Otherwise we learn from all the other scientific disciplines and apply reasoning.
.
That does not apply to sky wizard worshipers
@jason: how dare you insult swine by comparing them to us!
Ignore Jason. He just wants attention.
No, there is no evidence for a young earth. Actually, belief in a "young earth" requires that you reject the evidence that is available. It also helps that you have no understanding of the evidence available,, making it easier to discount all that stuff you can put your hands on.
If you still want to believe in a young earth – why not make it easier and just believe that the earth was created just 10 minutes ago?
@ME II
For a scientific and Biblical answer to the earth's age, read Dr. Gerald Schroeder's book – The Science of God. You will find that both the scientist and the theologian are correct. Fascinating stuff. The riddle of a "young earth" will be revealed (hint: it's not the earth that's young, only our souls)
@Iconoclast
For a scientific and Biblical answer to the earth's age, read Dr. Gerald Schroeder's book – The Science of God. You will find that both the scientist and the theologian are correct. Fascinating stuff.
We all need to READ and LEARN. A little intellectual humility is good for the soul.
@Snow
For a scientific and Biblical answer to the earth's age, read Dr. Gerald Schroeder's book – The Science of God. You will find that both the scientist and the theologian are correct. Fascinating stuff. You might then be able to graduate to Moses Maimonides.
All is not as is appears. Sarcasm and ridicule can be useful tools to humble the uninitiated once they come back to haunt your taunts.
I'm shoked! No, not really. He's representing his political base very well.
..shocked...
Actually, Rubio did better than many faith-based politicians, but still a bit off. "Recorded history" doesn't go back that far.
The fact that he does not go beyond recorded history....is quite revealing. I cannot imagine a caveman mentality like this running our country. No telling what he might do if he feels he might upset the giant sky wizard.
Rumor has it that Rubio hears a gods voice.
That was just me, farting.
I was hoping that 2016 would be the year that the GOP pulled it's tongue out of the religious right's @ss hole. Come on GOP don't make me wait till 2020.
You will be waiting a lot longer....I left years ago. When I started seeing the Christards kidnapping the GOP
I think this last election was a wake up call for the GOP. They should now be realizing that they can no longer win elections by pandering to the ever shrinking demographic that is the Evangelical religious right.
"He was born Catholic" Well that's bull shi te. He was born an atheist just like everyone else. He was taught his delusions by his parents.
+1 for Honey Badger, though I don't care if you don't.
“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.”
.
That fact that he didnt even mention science...speaks well of his lack of intelligence and ignorance.
His basis is on recorded history and people who study mythology. He is amazingly ignorant.
Speaks Iowa??????? He speaks and shows just how ignorant he is.
I guess you cant take the Stupid out of a Christian.
Which part of him telling his understanding of the truth, dont you get?
It is atheism that is a mental illness. Funny, how you God haters rail against that which you say does not exist. That is a true mental illness. We will start calling you Don Quixote God haters.
I for one don't hate god. How can you hate something that just does not exist?
Jason
We rail against the followers, not the sky faerie you follow.
Atheists are not "God haters". They don't believe there is a god to hate. They may, on the other hand, hate religion or religious followers, but not God.
Jason,
Believers *do* exist... and they are the ones we are debating (call it 'railing against', if you wish).
@Jason
Present your god up for us to hate first.
@Jason – We rail against the God delusion. Not a mythical being. Unfortunately, telling a mental patient that s/he's mental does not work very well. Especially, when the mental patiient checks back into the mental ward every Sunday.
Actually, Jason may be right in saying there is a Jeebus. I know he must exist because I saw his picture on a piece of toast once. Just before I ate it.
[in Jason's mom's voice]
"Jason, time to put the crayons back in the box and put your PJs on. Mommy will be in to tuck you in bed in 5 minutes so hussle up!"
Another attack from the tolerant left. I would say that radical environmentalist are mentally ill.
When will the GOP learn????????????? lol
Teach them all?
If the whack job tries to teach my kids this puke, he better have Seal Team Six with him.
Pathetic pandering simpleton has had more Gods than girlfreinds!
Rubio is regarded as a possible Republican presidential candidate in 2016"
.
If he continues on this creationist and BS Christian Nation crap....the GOP can contimue to see the fall out.
He's a politician, so he'll say whatever he thinks the majority wants to hear when it comes down to it.
Jesus is alive. He is real. And, He will return in great glory with His holy angels and saints. The rest of you will be consigned to hell, where you belong, if you dont repent. The mental illness lies with you who cannot see all the proof for God's existence everywhere. So, you have no excuse and will give a full account. Repent and be saved. Stop being fools.
"Stop being fools." <<- Great description of the religious tards.
Jason, show us the proof or get back on the Argos.
Jason, do you think Satan will invite me to his super sweet sixteen party?
@Jason, why does your god hate man so much that because we don't believe he'll send us to hell? Boy he's got a temper there doesn't he? Maybe you don't want to get to close to him after all.
Kiss the White House godbye!!
Latino rednecks! What new miracles of Psycho Babble will the Jeebus freaks come up with next!!!
Oh, I am getting some popcorn so I can watch this little show go down. Maybe the Belief Blog Bistro can help me decide what to put on it.
Try our new sam Salad!
This colorful salad is a fall and winter favorite. It's garnished with pomegranate arils and dressed with a warm pomegranate vinaigrette. $8.99
Sprinkle some popcorn on top just for fun while you enjoy your favorite Belief Blog Massacres!
Man, that 46% figure is a travesty. Are the schools to blame, or are these people to biblewhacked to think straignt?
Sorry, "too," not "to."