Centroids :
What should we make of this ? Smart as he is, when asked a question
about the creation of life / mankind, Newt showed one thing, very clearly,
he has done just about no homework on the issue. But maybe I should't
be surprised. He has done little or no homework on other issues that
matter to social conservatives. What this says --to them-- is that
he doesn't really care about issues that matter to their people.
Of course, this is a mixed bag ; on some other moral issues --Islam, for
example-- he probably is the most well informed of anyone in the
GOP field. Maybe that doesn't say very much, but none of the others
have his scope on knowledge in this area.
Regardless, I am bewildered. It is anything but difficult to come up
with a plausible view of Creation which expresses actual conviction
and at the same time affirms scientific evolution. In fact --this is
the "surprise" part-- the Catholic Church , to which Newt is a
convert, takes a position which does both, and has done so
since about 1960, half a century ago. Yet Newt doesn't seem
to have been sufficiently curious to look into it ?
On the subject of Catholicism, another disappointment with Newt.
Granted, while I have warm fuzzies about the Catholic Church in
some respects, after all it is a bastion of Christianity in many places
in the world where we need such an anchor, but in cases where the
choice is Baptist or Catholic, I don't see where there is a tough choice.
In terms of moral clarity, Baptists are almost always the only logical
choice.
Or Evangelicals, depending on local churches, etc.
Of course, people convert for any number of reasons. Especially
family reasons, that is, to join the community which is an extended
family. I guess, for some people, that is plenty of reason. But not for me
;
indeed, if the reason isn't a matter of serious inner conviction ,
something
that requires development of a completely new personal philosophy,
I look at such a switch as shallow and opportunistic.
Question : Is this also how Evangelicals interpret Newt's
change of religious commitment ?
In other cases maybe it would not matter all that much. But Newt
was a Baptist deacon at one time. Was that also opportunistic ?
For your consideration.
Rev. Billy
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Mpls Star-Tribune
Gingrich showered with confetti, faith questions
* Article by: BRIAN BAKST , Associated Press
* Updated: May 18, 2011
MINNEAPOLIS - Republican presidential candidate Newt Gingrich refused to be
pinned down Tuesday as a believer in creationism or evolution as the
origin of human life during a gathering of Minnesota social conservatives,
where
he also endured a protester's confetti shower.
The former House speaker adopted a nuanced stance in the thorny debate over
how life first formed, telling his Minnesota Family Council audience that
both theological and scientific views can be right.
"I believe that creation as an act of faith is true and I believe that
science as a mechanical process is true," Gingrich said at an afternoon session
that preceded a more formal address. "Both can be true. I don't think
there is necessarily a conflict between the two."
The answer left skeptics among the audience, the type Gingrich is working
particularly hard to soothe in the early days of his campaign.
Retired plumber Marty Gavic said Gingrich's unwillingness to embrace
creationism is a strike against his candidacy.
"When he talks about God in government, then I believe if he's a Godly man
he should say that `I believe God created the heavens and earth because
that's in the Bible,'" said Gavic, who was among a few dozen people who sat
through a screening of a film Gingrich co-produced on religion in American
government.
Gingrich interrupted a 17-city Iowa campaign swing for the stop in
Minneapolis, which featured a book signing, the screening of "Rediscovering God
inn America" and a closed-to-media dinner speech. Gingrich said he was paid to
appear, but terms were not disclosed.
During the book signing, a protester poured a cracker box full of glittery
confetti over Gingrich and his wife, Callista. The man was shoved from the
room by a Family Council member.
Gingrich went on with the book signing before heading to a private
reception and the dinner, which was also due to include remarks from Minnesota
Rep.
Michele Bachmann. She is also weighing a Republican bid for president and
expects to announce her plans soon.
Speaking to reporters, Gingrich downplayed his outreach to social
conservatives, some of whom have raised doubts about his character because of
past
infidelity and multiple marriages.
"You have ground to make up with every American on something. Somebody
wants to know about your tax policy, somebody else wants to know about your
personal life, someone else wants to know about what you're going to do about
foreign affairs," Gingrich said. "If you're going to run for the highest
office in the land, you have to be prepared to go around and listen to people
across the board."
He did find some fans in the room.
"Intellectually I think he holds more capacities than any president we've
had for decades," said Brian Tommerdahl, a business owner from Champlin who
said he is inclined to support Gingrich for president but not yet fully
committed. "I've been waiting 10 years for him to announce."
--
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