CBS News/ August 29, 2011, 3:59 PM

Ron Paul: I don't accept the theory of evolution

Congressman Ron Paul, who is campaigning for the 2012 Republican presidential nomination, says that the theory of human evolution is just a theory - and one that he does not accept.

In a YouTube video of Paul addressing what appears to be a town hall meeting in 2007, the Texas representative let listeners know where he stood on the issue.

"Well, first i thought it was a very inappropriate question, you know, for the presidency to be decided on a scientific matter," he said. "I think it's a theory...the theory of evolution and I don't accept it as a theory. But I think the creator that i know, you know created us, every one of us and created the universe and the precise time and manner and all. I just don't think we're at the point where anybody has absolute proof on either side."

A spokesman for the Paul campaign did not immediately respond to calls for comment.

Popular in SciTech

269 Comments Add a Comment

linkicon reporticon emailicon

Ericwvb says:

Of course there is no absolute proof for the theory of evolution since ALL science by definition is falsifiable and subject to revision (this is also why "intelligent design" is not science). But the theory of evolution is, AFAIK, the most well-proven and most thoroughly understood scientific theory of all time. We understand much more about evolution than we do about something like gravity, but then of course modern theories about how gravity works don't conflict with what's written in Bronze Age mythology books about invisible sky daddies that have been translated, edited, re-assembled and re-arranged for centuries by various popes, kings, and clergy.

It's shameful that someone educated like Ron Paul would stoop so low and pander to such ignorance.


BradAnderson100 replies:: linkicon reporticon emailicon; Evolution has been PROVEN AT THE MOLECULAR LEVEL.
ALL HUMANS DERIVE FROM A SINGLE MUTATED FEMALE APE.

: linkicon reporticon emailicon
jimatmadison says:: So Ron Paul doesn't believe in science? How does that work? What we see isn't what we see?

I knew Ron Paul was a dope. This proves it beyond all doubt.; reply

: linkicon reporticon emailicon
MariePearle says:: This is what annoys me about most conservatives. Is it possible that we might one day actually get someone who is fiscally conservative and thinks that less government is a good thing, but who isn't also a religious nutjob?; reply

linkicon reporticon emailicon

notreich says:

Does he believe another wacky scientist, Sir Issac Newton, and his theory of gravitation? Or does it have to be something Tea Party simple, like God makes individual objects fall to earth?


JBL55 replies:: linkicon reporticon emailicon; Brilliant analogy! Apparently Dr. Paul doesn't understand what a scientific theory is.

: linkicon reporticon emailicon
justsane-2009 says:: those wacky republicans! what will they come up with next? stay tuned - same bat time, same bat station!!; reply

linkicon reporticon emailicon

ycdbsoya says:

Stupid debate.

Evolution is proven.

Biogenesis has never been proven and may never be.

Learn the difference.

Stop arguing.


Fireside3 replies:: linkicon reporticon emailicon; Wow, YOU really need to learn the difference dufus. Macro-evolution is not "proven" and it's a long ways from seeing microorganisms evolve, to then jump to a conclusion about higher organisms. Actually pretty unscientific if you ask me. It's still a theory last I talked to a biologist, and evolutionists are just the faithful of a different kind of church - that's is all. Keep asking those million chimps to bang on the typewriter though! LOL


StewieEsq replies:: linkicon reporticon emailicon; by Fireside3 January 23, 2012 6:48 AM EST
Wow, YOU really need to learn the difference dufus. Macro-evolution is not "proven" and it's a long ways from seeing microorganisms evolve, to then jump to a conclusion about higher organisms. Actually pretty unscientific if you ask me. It's still a theory last I talked to a biologist, and evolutionists are just the faithful of a different kind of church - that's is all. Keep asking those million chimps to bang on the typewriter though! LOL
================
Wow--you really need to go back to school. Put down the Christ riding on the dinosaur picture book and try some real science.

: linkicon reporticon emailicon
Gwen Kraft says:: I like these videos on Intelligent Design:

youtube.com/watch?v=IcbABiclLTc

youtube.com/watch?v=Et2VTJ1UBC4&feature=related

youtube.com/watch?v=tRoSRITEiGI&feature=related; reply

: linkicon reporticon emailicon
taxchurches says:: I "don't accept" that Ron Paul will ever hold higher elected office.

Mr. Paul obviously hasn't read the Kindle ebook "Beyond the Devil" by C. Neron.; reply

: linkicon reporticon emailicon
seerclearly says:: It's frightening that 1) someone can get so far into politics and get so much power while being unable to logically connect cause and effect; and 2) that people actually vote for this sycophant; and finally the most scary 3) that we might have someone leading the free world without much care that what decisions they make are based on facts or not. And finally, there is the horrible, burning shame that our great country could be led about by an imbecile, tripping over the most basic facts like stranger in a darkened house.; reply