Pruitt tapes revealed: Evolution's a 'theory,' 'majority' religions under attack

[DonViejo]

Source: Politico




Radio archives from Oklahoma also show him warning of ‘judicial monarchy’ and advocating constitutional amendments to ban abortion and gay marriage.

By EMILY HOLDEN and ALEX GUILLÉN 03/02/2018 05:00 AM EST

Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt dismissed evolution as an unproven theory, lamented that “minority religions” were pushing Christianity out of “the public square” and advocated amending the Constitution to ban abortion, prohibit same-sex marriage and protect the Pledge of Allegiance and the Ten Commandments, according to a newly unearthed series of Oklahoma talk radio shows from 2005.

Pruitt, who at the time was a state senator, also described the Second Amendment as divinely granted and condemned federal judges as a “judicial monarchy” that is “the most grievous threat that we have today." And he did not object when the program’s host described Islam as “not so much a religion as it is a terrorist organization in many instances.”

The six hours of civics class-style conversations on Tulsa-based KFAQ-AM were recently rediscovered by a firm researching Pruitt’s past remarks, which provided them to POLITICO on condition of anonymity so as not to identify its client. They reveal Pruitt's unfiltered views on a variety of political and social issues, more than a decade before the ambitious Oklahoman would lead President Donald Trump’s EPA.

The views he states, in discussions peppered with references to inalienable rights and the faith of the nation's founders, are in line with those of millions of other conservative, devout Christians. But they also show stances that at times are at odds with the broader American mainstream, and in some cases with accepted scientific findings — an issue that has more recently come up with his skepticism about the science behind climate change.

Read more: https://www.politico.com/story/2018/03/02/scott-pruitt-epa-evolution-theory-abortion-gay-marriage-433284

[Gore1FL]

1. Evolution is "just" a theory...

Creationism doesn't rise to that level.

[Fred Sanders]

3. The total lack of understanding of science can only be explained by complete and willful

ignorance, or the same ignorance forced by extremist religious views. Take your pick. Or both in the case of the Bible-thumping bigot Pruitt.

Another great embarrassment courtesy of Trumpster.

[Stonepounder]

4. Of course gravity is 'just' a theory as well...

as is the 'theory' of relativity and the 'theory' of Congressional stupidity.

[Maeve]

14. No, Congressional stupidity is beyond theory!

I wish some of these idjits would find out what scientist mean by "theory"...but that would require them to use their brains for something besides cooling their blood....

(and for those who don't know, that is a joke referencing an older theory of what the brain did!)

[redstatebluegirl]

2. Those of us in Oklahoma are more than familiar with Pruitt's crazy ideas.

He has been a tool of big oil and mega churches forever. I fear he will come back here and run for Senate when dumb dumb retires or croaks.

[amcgrath]

5. I'm no scholar...

But I know that Oklahoma is known for three things.

Wheat
Cattle
Oil

Strains of wheat have been carefully bred for maximum yield and resistance to insects,disease and drought. - including 'Roundup resistant' varieties.

Cattle are extensively bred for health and productivity, natural procreation usually put aside in preference for artificial insemination, ensuring the physical attributes the breeders desire.

Both of these facts imply that the the god fearing people of Oklahoma may talk a 'Creationist' game, but are fully cognizant of the selective application of genetics, using them to 'evolve' both better cattle and crops.

And which Oklahoma oil companies send their exploration teams to survey in areas or geological formations that are 5000 years old or less. - and what do they think oil actually is ?

[Canoe52]

13. +1

[colsohlibgal]

6. Utter Delusional Nonsense

Evolution is scientifically provable, people who question that are daffy.

[Major Nikon]

9. Not exactly true

A scientific theory is one that can be successfully tested by empirical methods and provides a model that helps us understand our universe. It does not rule out all other possibilities. The "other" possibility that the religionist propose is the existence of an invisible sky daddy that works by way of inexpiable hocus pocus. While this sort of reasoning worked well thousands of years ago when empirical methods were poorly understood, it really only serves as a method to fool the weak minded today.

[dameatball]

16. Early brainwashing in the church is stronger than many people realize

My best female friend has a masters degree and was a school teacher for over 30 years. However she does not believe in evolution. Her family is deeply religious and attends a small church in a mountain town where she grew up. She is witty, intelligent, pleasant and votes Democratic and belonged to the teachers' union. I sort of cringe when the subject comes up. Fortunately that is very seldom.

[Marthe48]

7. Pruitt is a vestige

of an unnecessary organ.

This is a link to one of my favorite memes: http://www.nedmartin.org/v3/amused/evolution-stop-following-me

I'd love to see it updated where the modern human is saying it to repukes.

[dalton99a]

8. And antibiotic resistance is an illusion

[Major Nikon]

10. As is the "power of prayer" and everything else of a divine nature

It's not as if rational arguments are going to gain much traction with these people.

[Hav]

11. I wonder how long "Just a theory" will remain a talking point

It simply shows a lack of understanding. Evolution is a theory and will always remain a theory until it is disproven which is unlikely. It is the consensus among scientists, proven by the current data and not disproven by anything. There is no higher category above scientific theory that evolution, or any other theory, could ever reach.

[Major Nikon]

12. Indefinitely so long as you are teaching in schools that Noah lived to 900

When you convince people to believe in talking donkeys, the rejection of the Theory of Evolution just isn't much of a challenge.

[Bantamfancier]

15. Scottie is nuttier

than Aunt Helen's fruitcake.