My BIL wants to know if Jeb Bush believes in Evolution. Anyone know?

[rgbecker]

The teabagger is concerned.

[Comrade Grumpy]

1. He's probably too smart to say so out loud. Wouldn't want to upset the base.

[DonViejo]

2. Here ya go...

Don't restrict creationism discussion, but don't require it

When he was asked whether "intelligent design" should be taught in public school science classrooms, Jeb paused, and said: "It's not part of our standards. Nor is creationism. Nor is Darwinism or evolution, either."

Huh? The state's Sunshine State Standards for science are actually quite clear about evolution. High school students are expected to understand how genetic mutations occur and "natural selection"--the two fundamental concepts underlying evolutionary biology.

When I pointed this out to Jeb, he claimed that he had been told by his education commissioner that the standards did not include evolution--not a terribly likely scenario given that his commissioner, a former science teacher, had been part of the education bureaucracy in Florida for a dozen years.

So then Jeb said: "I like what we have right now. And I don't think there needs to be any changes. I don't think we need to restrict discussion, but it doesn't need to be required, either."

###

http://www.ontheissues.org/2016/Jeb_Bush_Education.htm

[rgbecker]

4. Ot-Oh, Another Punter?

[HereSince1628]

6. mutations and natural selections are part of 'micro' evolution

factors, among others, that influence changes in frequencies of alleles in a population.

Microevolution can and does happen without creating new species. Microevolution can be demonstrated pretty easily. Most creationist scholars accept microevolution without challenge

BUT they don't think it's EVOLUTION of new species.

Within biology that's a topic within macroevolution...which, simply said refers to changes in the membership list of species present.

macroevolution has two components the generation of new species and the extinction of species.

A couple of hundred years ago extinction was deemed impossible....God doesn't make junk or let his good stuff be thrown away...

Extinction is now accepted by most creationist scholars.

But generation of new species by natural 'evolutionary' process remains contentious for creationists


So legislators/politicians in a conservative places like Kansas and Florida that won't allow evolution to be taught can in practice accept standards that include microevolution although they probably wouldn't want it called that.

[elfin]

3. I dislike he era "believe" when it comes to evolution

Evolution is not a belief, it is a demonstrated proven and observed scientific process. Not to accept these facts is scientific illiteracy, but not proof that you have no "faith" in spiritual matters.

[ScreamingMeemie]

9. +1

[geek tragedy]

5. he knows it's true, but has to play dumb and ignorant in order for Republicans to respect him nt

[Orangepeel]

7. Does your BIL know that Jeb is catholic?

The only reason that someone wouldn't believe in evolution is that their religion tells them not to, and Jeb's religion doesn't.

[Bleacher Creature]

8. Does it really matter?

He very well may believe in it personally, but for policy/political purposes he's shown a willingness to believe in (or pretend to believe) whatever the teabaggers want.