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Anti-science Congressman on the House Science Committee

Athens, --

Ga. - Georgia Rep. Paul Broun said in videotaped remarks that evolution, embryology and the Big Bang theory are "lies straight from the pit of hell" meant to convince people that they do not need a savior.

The Republican lawmaker made the comments during a speech Sept. 27 at a sportsman's banquet at Liberty Baptist Church in Hartwell. Broun, a physician who sits on the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology, is running for re-election unopposed by Democrats.

"God's word is true," Broun said, according to a video posted on the church's website. "I've come to understand that. All that stuff I was taught about evolution and embryology and Big Bang theory, all that is lies straight from the pit of hell. And it's lies to try to keep me and all the folks who are taught that from understanding that they need a savior."

Broun also said that he believes the Earth is about 9,000 years old and that it was made in six days. Those beliefs are held by fundamentalist Christians who believe the creation accounts in the Bible to be literally true.

God Bless America

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Joseph P on October 7, 2012 at 8:07am

Why does this not surprise me?

Permalink Reply by Phil on October 7, 2012 at 8:24am

Well it surprised me. A doctor who's absolutely nuts is bad enough, but to be in this position of influence, and running again unopposed ...

Permalink Reply by Chris Dodds on October 7, 2012 at 9:19am

This guy's on the House Science Committee? What easy requirements do they have for someone to be one that committee?

Permalink Reply by Loren Miller on October 7, 2012 at 9:42am

There are two, I think:

Breathe
Be a congressperson

That's about it.

Permalink Reply by Joseph P on October 7, 2012 at 4:09pm

Unfortunately, congressmen can ask to be on pretty much whichever committee they want. It's decided more on desire and some sort of seniority or something along those lines. Knowledge of a subject isn't factored in at all, as near as I can tell. Hell, Michelle "Muslim Brotherhood" Bachmann is on the security council or whatever it's called.

Permalink Reply by Chris Dodds on October 8, 2012 at 12:28pm

It's called the intelligence council. Ironic isn't it?

Permalink Reply by Susan Stanko on October 7, 2012 at 9:32am

It is entirely possible that he is invoking Seneca and just using religion. Not that he actually believes what he said.

Permalink Reply by Sentient Biped on October 7, 2012 at 10:09am

Very sad and disappointing.

Permalink Reply by Ruth Anthony-Gardner on October 7, 2012 at 10:18am

Running unopposed, too. *face palm*

Shouldn't there be some language in the law that restricts a position on the science committee to lawmakers who aren't AGAINST science?

Permalink Reply by Chris Dodds on October 7, 2012 at 10:25am

I think we need to flood the house science committee with the message that if they're going to let politicians play scientist, it'd better be someone with an education in what actual scientists call "science".

Permalink Reply by Phil on October 8, 2012 at 6:28am

I say we shunt him over to the House Intelligence Committee.

Permalink Reply by Chris Johnson on October 8, 2012 at 8:27am