# Proof that Palin wanted to teach "creation science" in Alaska schools **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [September 12, 2008, 5:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proof-that-palin-wanted-to-teach-creation-science-in-alaska-schools/463232 "2008-09-12T05:22:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2008, 5:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proof-that-palin-wanted-to-teach-creation-science-in-alaska-schools/463232/1 "2008-09-12T05:22:00Z")
This is from an [interview](http://wwww.newsminer.com/news/2008/aug/29/palin-issues-2002-alaska-gubernatorial-race/) that palin gave in the 2002 Gubernatorial race: > [@](#): > > Q: The education section of the Republican Party of Alaska’s platform states “We support giving Creation Science equal representation with other theories of the origin of life. If evolution is taught, it should be presented as only a theory.” Do you support this position? Why? > > A: I support this plank in the Republican Party’s platform. I believe society can have healthy debates on scientific theories, so equal representation of creation and evolution shouldn’t be an offense. Let there be no more doubt. Let it also be note that she thinks “Creation Science” is a scientific theory, that evolution is “only a theory,” that it’s a theory of the origin of life and that there are “other theories.” Is there anyone who still wants to say she doesn’t want to teach creationism is public schools? ---
**Author:** ![CairoCarol](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cairocarol/32/3825_2.png) [@CairoCarol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CairoCarol)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2008, 5:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proof-that-palin-wanted-to-teach-creation-science-in-alaska-schools/463232/2 "2008-09-12T05:30:31Z")
Looks pretty convincing to me. But that was 2002, before she gained the vast executive experience she has today. Maybe her views have evolved. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Camus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ba8739/32.png) [@Camus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Camus)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2008, 5:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proof-that-palin-wanted-to-teach-creation-science-in-alaska-schools/463232/3 "2008-09-12T05:37:18Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > This is from an [interview](http://wwww.newsminer.com/news/2008/aug/29/palin-issues-2002-alaska-gubernatorial-race/) that palin gave in the 2002 Gubernatorial race: > > Let there be no more doubt. Let it also be note that she thinks “Creation Science” is a scientific theory, that evolution is “only a theory,” that it’s a theory of the origin of life and that there are “other theories.” > > Is there anyone who still wants to say she doesn’t want to teach creationism is public schools? According to [the Alaska Republican Party website](http://www.alaskarepublicans.com/PartyPlatform.aspx), it’s still on their plank: > [@](#): > > E. We support teaching various models and theories for the origins of life and our universe, including Creation Science or Intelligent Design. If evolution outside a species (macro-evolution) is taught, evidence disputing the theory should also be presented. ---
**Author:** ![Morgenstern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Morgenstern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgenstern)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2008, 5:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proof-that-palin-wanted-to-teach-creation-science-in-alaska-schools/463232/4 "2008-09-12T05:39:27Z")
How is that a surprise coming from a person who knows God’s plan for Iraq? ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2008, 5:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proof-that-palin-wanted-to-teach-creation-science-in-alaska-schools/463232/5 "2008-09-12T05:41:23Z")
> [@CairoCarol](#): > > … Maybe her views have evolved. :rolleyes: Past bony fishes, not quite to primates. Ideology recapitulates phylogeny. ---
**Author:** ![Darwins\_Finch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darwins_finch/32/20304_2.png) [@Darwins\_Finch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darwins_Finch)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2008, 5:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proof-that-palin-wanted-to-teach-creation-science-in-alaska-schools/463232/6 "2008-09-12T05:43:50Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > Past bony fishes, not quite to primates. Ideology recapitulates phylogeny. There’s a joke in there somewhere involving slime molds, I’m sure… ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2008, 5:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proof-that-palin-wanted-to-teach-creation-science-in-alaska-schools/463232/7 "2008-09-12T05:50:32Z")
And lipstick. Don’t forget the lipstick. ---
**Author:** ![anu-la1979](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/47e85d/32.png) [@anu-la1979](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anu-la1979)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2008, 6:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proof-that-palin-wanted-to-teach-creation-science-in-alaska-schools/463232/8 "2008-09-12T06:40:59Z")
Considering the large hadron collider thread revealed that physics is now considered a club for “elitists”, I don’t think the fact that Palin supports teaching magick in school is going to put her supporters off. ---
**Author:** ![Sam\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2008, 8:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proof-that-palin-wanted-to-teach-creation-science-in-alaska-schools/463232/9 "2008-09-12T08:59:34Z")
And in the 2006 debate, she said that she didn’t think it needed to be part of the curriculum. So if she did believe it in 2002, it sounds like she modified her position later. ---
**Author:** ![Bridget\_Burke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7cd45c/32.png) [@Bridget\_Burke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bridget_Burke)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2008, 10:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proof-that-palin-wanted-to-teach-creation-science-in-alaska-schools/463232/10 "2008-09-12T10:57:26Z")
> [@Sam\_Stone](#): > > And in the 2006 debate, she said that she didn’t think it needed to be part of the curriculum. > > So if she did believe it in 2002, it sounds like she modified her position later. Which would mean she’s a “flip-flopper”! Temporarily, I’m at a PC without sound. There are plenty of videos online of the 2006 debate you mention. Where can I find a transcript? Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![tagos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bbe5ce/32.png) [@tagos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tagos)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2008, 11:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proof-that-palin-wanted-to-teach-creation-science-in-alaska-schools/463232/11 "2008-09-12T11:15:39Z")
> [@Sam\_Stone](#): > > And in the 2006 debate, she said that she didn’t think it needed to be part of the curriculum. > > So if she did believe it in 2002, it sounds like she modified her position later. [Alaska Daily News Report on the debate](http://community.adn.com/adn/node/102978) > [@](#): > > Next, Carey asked about teaching alternatives to evolution - such as creationism and intelligent design - in public schools. > > \ > > PALIN: “Teach both. You know, don’t be afraid of information. > “Healthy debate is so important and it’s so valuable in our schools. I am a proponent of teaching both. > "And, you know, I say this, too, as the daughter of a science teacher. Growing up with being so privileged and blessed to be given a lot of information on, on both sides of the subject – creationism and evolution. > “It’s been a healthy foundation for me. But don’t be afraid of information and let kids debate both sides.” Always better to cite rather than assert. Thanks for playing though. ---
**Author:** ![FriarTed](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/friarted/32/1052_2.png) [@FriarTed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FriarTed)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2008, 11:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proof-that-palin-wanted-to-teach-creation-science-in-alaska-schools/463232/12 "2008-09-12T11:30:11Z")
So what has she done to actually try to get “creation science” taught in Alaska? All the complaints I’ve heard- she’s a book-banner (who hasn’t actually banned any books or named any books she wanted to ban); she’s a anti-abortionist, even in cases of rape (although she hasn’t actually tried to ban abortions due to rape); she’s wants Creationism taught in schools (who hasn’t actually made any moves to require it be taught). You know, maybe it’s her supporters who should be complaining!😃 ---
**Author:** ![Discordia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Discordia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Discordia)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2008, 11:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proof-that-palin-wanted-to-teach-creation-science-in-alaska-schools/463232/13 "2008-09-12T11:33:11Z")
How would she try to ban abortion praytell? ---
**Author:** ![FriarTed](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/friarted/32/1052_2.png) [@FriarTed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FriarTed)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2008, 11:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proof-that-palin-wanted-to-teach-creation-science-in-alaska-schools/463232/14 "2008-09-12T11:41:20Z")
> [@FriarTed](#): > > So what has she done to actually try to get “creation science” taught in Alaska? > > All the complaints I’ve heard- > > she’s a book-banner > (who hasn’t actually banned any books or named any books she wanted to ban); > she’s a anti-abortionist, even in cases of rape > (although she hasn’t actually tried to ban abortions due to rape); > she’s wants Creationism taught in schools > (who hasn’t actually made any moves to require it be taught). > > You know, maybe it’s her supporters who should be complaining!😃 Missed the edit window! Full disclosure: I’m a descriptive Evolutionist and a explanatory Creationist. Evolution may explain the How; Creationism explains the Who and Why. The Universe sure seems to be around 12-14 bil yrs old, the Earth 4.5 bil, and humanlike critters maybe a million (not sure where that is now), but Adamic “God-child” humans around 6000 yrs old. I don’t like it when some Creationists insist that everything had to start around 6000 yrs ago. I don’t like it when some Evolutionists insist that God is totally written out of the equation and can’t even be considered by scientific-thinking people. Discordia: _Hail Eris!😃_ Oh, even tho it would immediately be judicially struck down if passed, she could still champion a bill against it. I’m going to have to check tho to see what she has actually done about abortion in Alaska. ---
**Author:** ![Fuzzy\_Dunlop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/848f3c/32.png) [@Fuzzy\_Dunlop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fuzzy_Dunlop)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2008, 11:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proof-that-palin-wanted-to-teach-creation-science-in-alaska-schools/463232/15 "2008-09-12T11:42:42Z")
> [@FriarTed](#): > > So what has she done to actually try to get “creation science” taught in Alaska? > > All the complaints I’ve heard- > > she’s a book-banner > (who hasn’t actually banned any books or named any books she wanted to ban); > she’s a anti-abortionist, even in cases of rape > (although she hasn’t actually tried to ban abortions due to rape); > she’s wants Creationism taught in schools > (who hasn’t actually made any moves to require it be taught). > > You know, maybe it’s her supporters who should be complaining!😃 What are you actually trying to insinuate? She holds horrible views on important issues, but we shouldn’t hold it against her because she’s failed to accomplish any of her nefarious plans? ---
**Author:** ![Hamlet](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hamlet/32/2818_2.png) [@Hamlet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hamlet)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2008, 11:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proof-that-palin-wanted-to-teach-creation-science-in-alaska-schools/463232/16 "2008-09-12T11:57:29Z")
> [@CairoCarol](#): > > Looks pretty convincing to me. But that was 2002, before she gained the vast executive experience she has today. Maybe her views have evolved. :rolleyes: Probably from being so close to Russia. ---
**Author:** ![Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8edcca/32.png) [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hentor_the_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2008, 12:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proof-that-palin-wanted-to-teach-creation-science-in-alaska-schools/463232/17 "2008-09-12T12:11:55Z")
> [@tagos](#): > > [Alaska Daily News Report on the debate](http://community.adn.com/adn/node/102978) > > Always better to cite rather than assert. Thanks for playing though. Don’t trust, and verify. ---
**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2008, 12:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proof-that-palin-wanted-to-teach-creation-science-in-alaska-schools/463232/18 "2008-09-12T12:16:39Z")
> [@FriarTed](#): > > I don’t like it when some Evolutionists insist that God is totally written out of the equation and can’t even be considered by scientific-thinking people.. Please could you give a cite for this. ---
**Author:** ![Revenant\_Threshold](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f1d935/32.png) [@Revenant\_Threshold](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revenant_Threshold)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2008, 12:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proof-that-palin-wanted-to-teach-creation-science-in-alaska-schools/463232/19 "2008-09-12T12:19:20Z")
> [@glee](#): > > Please could you give a cite for this. I’ll provide a cite; me. I don’t think that God should be at all considered by scientific-thinking people. Hence why we don’t teach creationism in science lessons. Of course, most of us think in more terms than science alone, so I have no problem with it in R.E. lessons (and indeed was taught it myself there). ---
**Author:** ![Grumman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/43a26b/32.png) [@Grumman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grumman)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2008, 12:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proof-that-palin-wanted-to-teach-creation-science-in-alaska-schools/463232/20 "2008-09-12T12:20:31Z")
> [@FriarTed](#): > > I don’t like it when some Evolutionists insist that God is totally written out of the equation and can’t even be considered by scientific-thinking people. Can you point to evidence supporting God’s existence? Can you propose an experiment that, if not successful, would disprove God’s existence? Someone may believe in God _despite_ thinking scientifically on other subjects, but there is no reason for a scientific-thinking individual to believe that God is any more plausible than the Easter bunny. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proof-that-palin-wanted-to-teach-creation-science-in-alaska-schools/463232.md?page=2)