Congressman: "Evolution, Big Bang Theory, lies straight from the pit of hell!"

[Landslide Lyndon]

Another esteemed Republican member of the House Science Committee.

http://2012.talkingpointsmemo.com/2012/10/rep-paul-broun-r-ga-evolution-big-bang-lies-straight-from-the-pit-of-hell.php

Rep. Paul Broun (R-GA) tore into scientists as tools of the devil in a speech at the Liberty Baptist Church Sportsman’s Banquet last month.

“All that stuff I was taught about evolution and embryology and the Big Bang Theory, all that is lies straight from the pit of Hell,” Broun said. “And it’s lies to try to keep me and all the folks who were taught that from understanding that they need a savior.

According to Broun, the scientific plot was primarily concerned with hiding the true age of the Earth. Broun serves on the House Science Committee, which came under scrutiny recently after another one of its Republican members, Rep. Todd Akin (R-MO), suggested that victims of “legitimate rape” have unnamed biological defenses against pregnancy.

“You see, there are a lot of scientific data that I’ve found out as a scientist that actually show that this is really a young Earth,” he said. “I don’t believe that the Earth’s but about 9,000 years old. I believe it was created in six days as we know them. That’s what the Bible says.”

Broun — a physician, with an M.D. and a B.S. in chemistry — is generally considered to be among the most conservative members of Congress, if not the most.

[Snowstalker Mk. II]

These are the people writing our laws.

[H.E. VOLODYMYR ZELENKSYY]

And this man is on the Science Committee, folks. USA! USA!

[Negusa Nagast 🚀]

The Republicans have constantly demonstrated that they are anti-science. There is no counter-balance to these theories. One side is right and the other is insane.

[minionofmidas]

At least Ralph Hall doesn't claim the world is only 9000 years old, which is kind of unsurprising as he would probably remember if the world had only been created when he was already in high school.

[John Dibble]

Ok, evolution and big bang theory are typically targets for these kinds of nuts, but I'm wondering why he's including embryology in his list. Embryology is just the study of how embryos develop until it becomes a fetus - is he saying embryos don't develop into fetuses? Or is he saying that embryos are possessed by Satan?

[🐒Gods of Prosperity🔱🐲💸]

Ok, evolution and big bang theory are typically targets for these kinds of nuts, but I'm wondering why he's including embryology in his list. Embryology is just the study of how embryos develop until it becomes a fetus - is he saying embryos don't develop into fetuses? Or is he saying that embryos are possessed by Satan?

I believe he's referring to Ernst Haeckel's embryo drawings in support of evolutionary recapitulation, which was repeated in textbooks long after it was debunked.

[memphis]

He didn't even get the Young Earth age right. If you follow the arithmetic of Usher, Orthodox Jews, and the rest, the world is just 6,000. Dude is just pandering. Just like Romney. Republicans will say whatever to whoever wants to hear it. And there's not going to be a vote in Congress over the age of the Earth. This man knows exactly what he's doing.

[minionofmidas]

And there's not going to be a vote in Congress over the age of the Earth. This man knows exactly what he's doing.

Time to bring that vote.

[All Along The Watchtower]

What exactly does this troll hope to accomplish by saying these things?

[Хahar 🤔]

To be fair, The Big Bang Theory is awful.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

How much longer will the Ralph Hall's corpse be displayed at the House floor?

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

Well I too tend to dismiss science and most math as witchcraft and voodoo, but that's for reasons entirely apolitical and irreligious.

[Simfan34]

I'm confused as to how:

A. This man has an M.S. and M.D.

B. How such people get on "science" committees.

[Vosem]

To be fair, The Big Bang Theory is awful.

Do tell?

[John Dibble]

What exactly does this troll hope to accomplish by saying these things?

Normally I'd say getting votes, but he's running unopposed.

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

To be fair, The Big Bang Theory is awful.

Do tell?

I assume he's making a joke and actually referring to the show.

[Svensson]

You must be logged in to read this quote.

I'll say.

[RogueBeaver]

He's also a birther who wants the 17th repealed.

[Dr. Cynic]

If I was a Democratic member of this committee, I don't think I could serve on it without snapping at these goddamn people at least twice a day...

YOU'RE ON THE SCIENCE COMMITTEE AND YOU'RE DISPUTING SCIENTIFIC FACT?! How is that possible?!...

[memphis]

What exactly does this troll hope to accomplish by saying these things?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bBXyB7niEc0

[Associate Justice PiT]

     With every day that passes, Idiocracy draws closer to being reality.

[TJ in Oregon]

According to my roommate, though I'm having trouble sourcing this, Broun said at some point that he used to believe in evolution and the Big Bang but no longer does. To me that suggests he probably still believes in both and is just saying this to pander to Evangelical Christians.

I think Memphis is right on this one.

[H.E. VOLODYMYR ZELENKSYY]

I think Republicans should be banned from the Science Committee.

[Negusa Nagast 🚀]

I think Republicans should be banned from the Science Committee.

Now now, let's not cast that wide of a blanket. Those who are ignorant of science and peddle ignorance like this should be banned. Granted, this would ban most of the current Republican House...