Why is it so hard to find national Republican leaders who don't espouse creationism? Why does opposition to the very successful science of modern biology have to be part of today's definition of a conservative? When you hear that someone is a creationist and a politician, it's a safe bet today that this person is a Republican.

Why is a major American political party in the 21st century so in bed with one of the most anti-intellectual movements out there?

U.S. Vice Presidential candidate Sarah Palin on teaching creationism to public school children of all faiths (or none):

"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."

There aren't two sides. If we're talking about religion, there are many, many sides. Of course, to fundamentalists, it's their brand of Christianity or nothing.

If we're talking about science, there is only one side that is actually science: evolutionary biology. There is no such thing as a real creation science, just fact-free creationist polemics. We're not being afraid of information - the creationists have no scientific information.