Submitted by John House, Dec 9, 2007 21:57

I once worked for a man who said, "When you mix apples and oranges, you get fruit salad." Both our presidential candidates and the electorate are mixing something much less palatable.

First, let me state that I don't believe in evolution, any more than I believe in the periodic table of elements, or antibiotics. Evolution is a factual process, as any serious biologist, geneticist, or organic chemist can explain in detail. Persons who deny it are on the same plane as those who deny the shape of the earth or evaporation.

I also believe in stable marriages between men and women, protection and encouragement of children, the value of the pursuit of justice, and religious faith. These are in the realm of discipline. I will always have religious doubt, prefer the young pretty woman, avoid whiny children, and listen to salacious details. The Good Lord in His wisdom deemed that we seek the higher virtues in humility rather than hold them in proud entitlement. Religion is the principal discipline by which we humbly seek those virtues.

However, when religion is used to deny medical care, avoid curing or relieving disease, or deny wholesome social support or condemn seriously sick people, that is very putrid confusion. We certainly don't need more of it in the White House.

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