Dear Commons Community,

 
New York Times columnist Charles Blow commented on a recent Gallup Poll which indicated that 42% of Americans hold creationist views that is “God created humans in their present form 10,000 years ago.” Blow goes on to cite the poll:

 
“As a Gallup pointed out in a report issued last Wednesday, nearly a third of Americans continue to believe that the Bible “is the actual word of God and is to be taken literally, word for word.”

 
Furthermore, nearly half believe that it is “the inspired word of God but not everything in it should be taken literally.”  About a fifth of Americans said they believe the Bible is “an ancient book of fables, legends, history, and moral precepts recorded by man.”

 
Blow then calls out political leaders who espouse and promote creationist views:

 
“Marco Rubio told GQ in 2012: “Whether the Earth was created in 7 days, or 7 actual eras, I’m not sure we’ll ever be able to answer that. It’s one of the great mysteries.”
During a debate in 2007, Mike Huckabee made clear that he believed that “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth,” but didn’t know when it was done or how long it took.
Bobby Jindal has voiced his support of creationism being taught in public schools alongside intelligent design and “the best science” and allowing students to “make up their own minds.”

 
Americans, particularly political leaders, who choose religious piety must also create an intellectual framework in which things of faith that exist without proof can make space for truths for which there is proof.”

In sum, pray to God to save us from religion!

Tony