The weird thing is that Madison is about the most liberal city between Boston and San Francisco. The rest of the state is slathered withanti-choice billboards.

Science = observe the facts, form a theory, test the theory, form a conclusion
Creationism = start with your conclusion, acknowledge facts that fit your conclusion, ignore all else. No theory involved.

I personally spent five years of my life as a Creationist. In all that time, never once did I read anything from the pen of anyone who wasn't also a Creationist. Creationism survives not because it is a viable scientific theory, but because thousands of lay people all over the country uphold it as "Truth" in the same way the uphold the Bible. It is Fundamentalism's answer to the modern world, a place of refuge for those who cannot bear to look real science in the eye.

For those looking for real answers regarding evolution, try The Talk Origins Archive

CableGuy

The fact that you ultimately were able to learn the real truth gives me hope. Although I fear that your willingness, and being open minded enough to learn the truth are in short supply among the devoutly religious.

Thanks, it gives me hope too. I admit though that moving away from creationism, and ultimately Christianity, was very difficult. Nobody likes having their entire worldview shattered; you feel like you're alone and in a free fall. I nearly lost my marriage over it, and to this day I have family that will not even speak to me because I am "backsliden". Still, I know I did the right thing by leaving it all behind, and it's given me some painfully personal insight into how deeply religious minds work.

It's important to know what kind of creationism we're talking about. Many people, Christian and non-Christian alike, believe that science has it's place, and so does God, who works behind the scenes to influence the world and it's evolution. But the kind of creationism that we see being pushed for acceptance in the public schools is almost always Young Earth Creationism, which is the kind of creationism I also believed. According to YEC, the Earth, and indeed the entire cosmos, is less than 10,000 years old. Everything in the book of Genesis is regarded as historical fact, from the creation of a literal Adam and Eve, to Noah's Flood and the animals boarding the Ark in pairs and the following re-population of the world. Anything that states the contrary is a lie from the depraved hearts of men, who are blinded by sin and by Satan. This is what makes it so easy for a Believer to dismiss the scientific community, btw. The facts are meaningless when they are the product of an unholy mind; only the Holy Spirit can impart Truth.

The key to this whole thing is understanding that the starting point for YEC is the unquestioned belief that the Bible is the infallible and inerrant word of God, and should be interpreted literally whenever possible. Once you believe this, it's only logical to accept Genesis as historical fact, because you have God's own word on the matter, and who has more authority than God?

People do not become Young Earth Creationists because evolutionary theory is weak. They become creationists because their worldview demands it; it's a logical extension of their faith. I respect people for trying to keep their theological ducks in a row, and I can understand the distrust of science among those who claim to live in a spiritual world full of angels and demons and powers unseen. But please, this is not about society's tolerance, it's about human knowledge hard won via science versus human superstition made manifest through religion. What you teach your children in your own home is your business, but please, don't insist on teaching my children too.

if there really is a god then why is he such a dick?

I'm with LincolnLogolas

Anything but politics >>>> most