December 6, 2012 by David K. Sutton
Senator Marco Rubio Cites Healthy “Theological Debate” On Age Of Earth
Remember last month when Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) told GQ Magazine he didn’t know how old the Earth was? And did you know there was a healthy theological debate on the age of the Earth?
There is no scientific debate on the age of the earth. I mean, it’s established pretty definitively, it’s at least 4.5 billion years old. I was referring to a theological debate, which is a pretty healthy debate. And the theological debate is — how do you reconcile with what science has definitively established with what you may think your faith teaches?
Now for me, actually, when it comes to the age of the earth, there is no conflict. I believe that in the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. And I think that scientific advances have given us insight into when he did it and how he did it, but I still believe God did it…I just think in America we should have the freedom to teach our children whatever it is we believe. And that means teaching them science, they have to know the science, but also parents have the right to teach them the theology and to reconcile the two things.
– Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL):
I could see having a healthy debate about theology, but I’m not sure how a theological debate on the age of the Earth could be classified as “healthy.” OK, to be fair, Rubio was specifically referring to a healthy debate meant to reconcile science and faith, but that seems like an effort in futility if you ask me. As science gives us answers to questions, it does not enhance organized religious belief as Rubio suggests, it diminishes it.
