Republican Kansas Senator and presidential hopeful Sam Brownback, in an opinion piece appearing in today’s New York Times, has wisely taken the opportunity to qualify his previously expressed disbelief in evolution.

[D]uring 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 [Mike Huckabee and Tom Tancredo being the others], I think it would be helpful to discuss the issue in a bit more detail and with the seriousness it demands.

The scientific method, based on reason, seeks to discover truths about the nature of the created order and how it operates, whereas faith deals with spiritual truths.

People of faith should be rational, using the gift of reason that God has given us.

If belief in evolution means simply assenting to microevolution, small changes over time within a species, I am happy to say, as I have in the past, that I believe it to be true.

Many questions raised by evolutionary theory — like whether man has a unique place in the world or is merely the chance product of random mutations — go beyond empirical science and are better addressed in the realm of philosophy or theology.

Ultimately, on the question of the origins of the universe, I am happy to let the facts speak for themselves. There are aspects of evolutionary biology that reveal a great deal about the nature of the world, like the small changes that take place within a species.

Whether this will allow Brownback, a candidate currently languishing between one and two percent in national polls, to recast himself as more palatable to the masses, or appealing to a socially liberal frontrunner in need of a running mate who would bring ideological and geographical balance to the ticket, remains to be seen.

Posted on May 31st, 2007 by David
Filed under: Ron Paul 2008