Congressman: God Decides When ‘The Earth Will End’
This clip shows Congressman John Shimkus’s (R-Ill) introductory remarks at a House Subcommittee on Energy and Environment hearing last week.
And in this clip, the congressman concludes his inane questioning of British climate change denier Christopher Monckton (and past advocate of forcibly quarantining all people with AIDS for life), by implying that climate change is not a threat because God has already said in the bible that ”the Earth will not be destroyed by a flood.”
- Similar Posts:
- Gore Testifies on Climate Change Before Senate Committee
- ‘Climate change is not the story of our time’
- Climate change deniers find themselves in bad company
Comments
78 Comments on Congressman: God Decides When ‘The Earth Will End’
-
kooperg on
Sun, 5th Apr 2009 3:05 am
-
Mari Colacino on
Sun, 5th Apr 2009 3:40 am
-
darrin langlois on
Sun, 5th Apr 2009 3:47 am
-
fog on
Sun, 5th Apr 2009 5:37 am
-
John Luc on
Sun, 5th Apr 2009 5:46 am
-
angry neutralist on
Sun, 5th Apr 2009 5:58 am
-
tony on
Sun, 5th Apr 2009 6:08 am
-
Scott on
Sun, 5th Apr 2009 7:33 am
-
Rep. Shimkus uses religion to circumvent rational thought | on
Sun, 5th Apr 2009 7:59 am
-
Dave on
Sun, 5th Apr 2009 8:13 am
-
Hello on
Sun, 5th Apr 2009 8:19 am
-
GD on
Sun, 5th Apr 2009 8:34 am
-
O.K. on
Sun, 5th Apr 2009 9:14 am
-
rob on
Sun, 5th Apr 2009 9:46 am
-
epiphyte on
Sun, 5th Apr 2009 9:51 am
-
digginbham on
Sun, 5th Apr 2009 9:57 am
-
blarg on
Sun, 5th Apr 2009 10:06 am
-
Kevin on
Sun, 5th Apr 2009 10:24 am
-
Randy on
Sun, 5th Apr 2009 10:54 am
-
Jacob on
Sun, 5th Apr 2009 11:07 am
-
Philip on
Sun, 5th Apr 2009 12:11 pm
-
Free Thinker on
Sun, 5th Apr 2009 4:03 pm
-
Dylan on
Sun, 5th Apr 2009 5:07 pm
-
Joe on
Sun, 5th Apr 2009 5:16 pm
-
Alex on
Sun, 5th Apr 2009 5:42 pm
-
John on
Mon, 6th Apr 2009 4:49 am
-
Random Questions on
Mon, 6th Apr 2009 3:55 pm
-
Science Etcetera, Jupiterday 20090409 | ideonexus.com on
Wed, 8th Apr 2009 9:01 pm
-
Many Hats One Mask » Why I Vote Anti-Republican on
Thu, 9th Apr 2009 9:41 pm
-
One-Lamb on
Mon, 13th Apr 2009 7:15 pm
-
One-Lamb on
Mon, 13th Apr 2009 7:26 pm
-
yogesh Saxena on
Mon, 13th Apr 2009 7:28 pm
-
The New Atheist on
Wed, 15th Apr 2009 11:56 am
-
Greyman on
Wed, 15th Apr 2009 7:42 pm
-
DuckPhup on
Wed, 15th Apr 2009 10:01 pm
-
Jean-Luc Petard on
Thu, 16th Apr 2009 8:00 am
-
Jason on
Sun, 19th Apr 2009 9:56 am
-
fotomatt on
Wed, 22nd Apr 2009 1:18 am
-
God Decides When the Earth Will end? | My blog on
Mon, 25th May 2009 9:59 pm
hahahahahah stupid americans, citing the bible in an official hearing is so dumb, anyone doing that in europe would have been laughed at (as the girl in the back was doing in the beginning of the clip, is she american? 
)
retrogamer Reply:
April 5th, 2009 at 9:19 am
Kooperg, you think that Europeans don’t cite the bible in an official hearing? The Queen of England needs to acknowledge that her very power is given by God. Now, who is so stupid now? I agree that what that Congressman did was incredibly stupid, but each country has their own share of stupid people in power. It just tends that Europeans stereotype there fellows from across the Atlantic based of the actions of one more than their American counterparts.
One-Lamb Reply:
April 13th, 2009 at 7:24 pm
If we don’t bring God in on this, who is the stupid. For He is the one who made us all, but all of us don’t have faith. Believing in God doesn’t exclude us from the world, God tells us to speak His Word everywhere we do go. And so this Politician did – good for him and GLORY TO GOD!!!
Chris Reply:
April 5th, 2009 at 5:12 pm
Unfortunately he has something there because WE the people vote for these idiots.
Chase Reply:
April 5th, 2009 at 7:54 pm
Generalizations prove an idiot far better than viewpoints.
beebee Reply:
April 23rd, 2009 at 2:35 pm
i would advise that anyone who speaks like that. needs to find a religion and soon or you may be sorry. he is doing nothing but speaking his beliefs and the truth. you will see and i will pray for all ya’s
god bless
Kooperg Reply:
April 23rd, 2009 at 9:33 pm
Thanks, but no thanks, I’m a happy atheist.
Btw, England is NOT Europe in my book. But, you are of course correct when assuming that we still have legacy laws and jurisprudence that refers to God, but at least we are not so stupid as to ‘make up’ new legislation with God in mind.
But you are right, generalizing is not very smart. But, as a defense, I was just typing my feelings. The ‘ stupid Americans ‘ part was not based on this article/video; i knew about that one on forehand.
ps I’m from The Netherlands (Holland), so please bash my country if you feel i offended you (We are used to this already, the Americans threatening out country with INVASION because of the International Court in The Hague, saying they will invade the very day we will try to prosecute any american soldier (or, ahum, ‘hero’).
God will decide when the world will end, but He made us guardians of all living creatures till that time.
Joe Reply:
April 5th, 2009 at 5:19 pm
you are kidding, aren’t you. Because if you’re not kidding we’re all in a lot of trouble. And besides, my God says that we are all gonna fly away on a spaceship and land on another planet and then we can start all over and screw up another world.
Chase Reply:
April 5th, 2009 at 7:54 pm
That’s funny, because my god says don’t be a dick, and reminds me that other people are entitled to their own views.
Word up Mari.
John Done Reply:
April 16th, 2009 at 6:28 pm
Which god is that, Chase? Obviously not the Christian god, or any god of any other major religion I can think of. They all seem intent on having their followers impose their belief on others. Entitlement to belief sounds more like a secular value, not a religious one.
Besides, this has nothing to do with freedom of religion. The fact is that religion is being used to impose certain policies on us all, despite the need for facts to be presented for those policies to be adopted. This inanity on the part of the Governor is flying in the face of facts. If this is allowed, any asshole who can ascribe their irrelevant and dangerous beliefs to a “higher power” can use said dogma as though it’s allowed to be part of our policy-making judgments. It’s not.
albe Reply:
April 6th, 2009 at 6:31 am
“If you believe in a space daddy who keep your stuff in place and later on will party with your ghost in space you won’t have my vote”
We should print that quote in a T Shirt and send them to every stupid gollible retarded dumbass narrowminded american who believes this load of shit.
WTF
Why are people like this still in office?
Wendell Reply:
April 5th, 2009 at 8:09 am
Rural, Southern Illinois. It’s heart is closer to Mississippi, Kentucky, Tennessee and Arkansas than Chicago.
Watley Reply:
April 5th, 2009 at 10:02 am
That’s why the capital is downstate in Springfield. All the people with their heads screwed on straight are in north in Chicago. If the capital wasn’t in the southern part of the state somewhere, everyone would just forget about these backward, ignorant, morons.
ananymous Reply:
April 5th, 2009 at 12:51 pm
You have it all wrong. I live in that so called “Rural” Illinois, and while I don’t condone his use of biblical passages in an official hearing, he did bring some good points to the table such as our planet being carbon starved. Also, I would say that not all people from Chicago have their head on straight. Proof of that is Rob Blagojevich, he may have had office in Springfield, but spent most of his time in Chicago.
Mic Reply:
April 12th, 2009 at 4:57 pm
I believe that the second amendment allows the congress the right to speak. The founders of this country frequently quoted scripture into congressional record. As for the congressman being “rural”, he was elected by the people he represents.
Why is it that when people speak of their faith they are idiots? Are you not the hate speakers when you say that? Christianity seems to be intolerable to so many, yet we are the ones who are said to be evil. I say it is those who ridicule us who are the hate mongers.
Chicago should be it’s own state.If we downstater’s could achieve that we would be able to stop Chicago from sucking the life out of the states budget. The comment that “All the people with their heads screwed on straight are in north in Chicago.” First, your sentence structure is horrible. Second, I give you the glorious Blagoivich Chicago machine. That is what we get from Chicago, grift, croniesm and hatred for the rest of the state. Please start a petition for Chicago to succeed from Illinois. We would love it.
Nutty nut nut.
Does this man not understand the meaning of “separation of church and state?” He needs to be removed from office immediately. He demonstrates a clear gap in his ability to form logical decisions.
Really, if this doesn’t scare you, image how you would feel if a congressman stood up and read from the Koran?
s Reply:
April 5th, 2009 at 7:29 am
this scares me much more than someone reading from the Koran.
Chris G Reply:
April 5th, 2009 at 9:24 am
Then you clearly are an idiot and need not speak your opinions here or anywhere else.
Your opinion clearly makes evident sense because we all know an Islamic leader is so much better than a Christian leader.
It amazes me at the intelligent responses you can find in replies to Internet articles! (since you clearly aren’t intelligent – this was sarcasm).
Kooperg Reply:
April 23rd, 2009 at 9:43 pm
Which Islam Imam scares you, then?
Cuz I can name hundreds of scary Christian Priests (raping young boys and stuff, denying global warming, denying people the use of condoms, and much, much more…)
digginbham Reply:
April 5th, 2009 at 9:59 am
what abt the koran did u find scary? its in large a harmless text.
That's Funny Reply:
April 5th, 2009 at 10:19 am
“its in large a harmless text”
what an ignorant statement.
“Make war on the unbelievers and the hypocrites. Be harsh with them. Their ultimate abode is
hell, a hapless journey’s end.” – Sura 9:73
“When you meet the unbelievers, smite their necks, then when you have made wide slaughter
among them, tie fast the bonds, then set them free, either by grace or ransom, until the war
lays down its burdens.” -Sura 47:4
“If you should die or be killed in the cause of Allah, His mercy and forgiveness would surely be
better than all they riches they amass. If you should die or be killed, before Him you shall all
be gathered.” – Sura 3:157-8
Righteo Reply:
April 9th, 2009 at 12:07 am
Deuteronomy
13:6 If thy brother, the son of thy mother, or thy son, or thy daughter, or the wife of thy bosom, or thy friend, which is as thine own soul, entice thee secretly, saying, Let us go and serve other gods, which thou hast not known, thou, nor thy fathers;
13:7 Namely, of the gods of the people which are round about you, nigh unto thee, or far off from thee, from the one end of the earth even unto the other end of the earth;
13:8 Thou shalt not consent unto him, nor hearken unto him; neither shall thine eye pity him, neither shalt thou spare, neither shalt thou conceal him:
13:9 But thou shalt surely kill him; thine hand shall be first upon him to put him to death, and afterwards the hand of all the people.
jOE Reply:
April 5th, 2009 at 7:29 pm
Do you understand the meaning yourself? The concept was originally developed to protect the freedom to practice your religion, not for exclusion. Besides, the phrase is not even found in our laws; the Constitution or otherwise.
And for the record, I am an atheist, just tired of people like you trying to make us look stupid. If you don’t like their religion, don’t vote for them. If what they say offends you, then get the fuck over it. I’m sure you expect the same from everyone else in regards to your moronic ideologies.
Keith Reply:
April 6th, 2009 at 10:29 am
Obviously YOU don’t understand the separation of Church and State.
The STATE may NOT create an official CHURCH. Nor may the STATE interfere with the people’s worship within a CHURCH.
However, there is no such thing as separating the CHURCH from the STATE. Because the STATE is made of up people.
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”
Bob Reply:
April 11th, 2009 at 1:33 pm
okay, “separation of church and state” is never mentioned in the constitution. Actually, the concept never was formulated until the present day.
The first amendment of the bill of rights promises two things:
-that there will never be a state-prescribed religion
and
-nobody will be persecuted for his/her religion
NOWHERE in there does it rule that all maters of the state should be secular
Kooperg Reply:
April 23rd, 2009 at 9:48 pm
Yes, in America there is no official seperation of church and state. But e.g. Turkey (muslim country) DOES have this. Now think about that…
How do we run a government at all with such stupid people? How does this man get on the House Subcommittee on Energy and Environment? Sure the earth will not be ‘destroyed’ by a flood but surely all the people on it will!
What. The. Fuck. 0_o. I honestly feel bad for you Americans… I really do.
[...] because God states in Genesis that “the Earth will not be destroyed by a flood.” Click here for the article as well as an additional [...]
this guy needs a swift kick in the balls
I love how he uses the bible for one point then jumps strait to dinosaurs to prove his next point! :]
Not a "Christian" Reply:
April 20th, 2009 at 4:49 am
Apologies, I made a typo earlier (although I’m not sure the reply posted as my browser is being off today). There are some Christians who believe in evolutionary theory. I don’t believe there’s anything wrong with citing a Biblical passage and also supporting something based on evolutionary theory.
The National Academy of Sciences has addressed this as well:
“Today, many religious denominations accept that biological evolution has produced the diversity of living things over billions of years of Earth’s history. Many have issued statements observing that evolution and the tenets of their faiths are compatible. Scientists and theologians have written eloquently about their awe and wonder at the history of the universe and of life on this planet, explaining that they see no conflict between their faith in God and the evidence for evolution. Religious denominations that do not accept the occurrence of evolution tend to be those that believe in strictly literal interpretations of religious texts.” ”
All you ignorant God haters should direct your time to investigating all the proven thruths in the bible and how it is a keystone for archeologists, historians, and proper scientists.
If you were so inclined to research biblical prophecy you’d know in end days the earth will be judged by fire or increased temperatures. This is from sun spots and increased solar activity. Humans have very little affect on climates. Volcanos emit way more than we will ever do.
Too many of you are lazy and are just repeaters of false information living in your mothers basements not caring if what you say is really accurate. Shame on you!
Stephen K Reply:
April 5th, 2009 at 10:55 am
GD, I applaud your courage in defending God’s word as truth, as most scientific arguments against the existence of God and his creation of the universe fall into, by it’s own definition, THEORY. While this politician may not have approached the matter correctly, the point here is that not all science is FACT, and government accepting science as the only truth is not the right way.
Secondly, GD, I encourage you and others to read the Bible before researching its prophecies. It teaches that man will live on Earth for eternity, and that he will never again destroy all its inhabitants… ever. Not just by flood. The “judgment by fire” you write about here is in regards to those that decide not to follow his way after the 1000 year reign. Feel free to email me if you have questions.
Brian Reply:
April 5th, 2009 at 2:36 pm
Down with scientific theories… theories are not facts so they must be wrong.
There is no other explaination other than GOD so dont try to answer anything.
/SYKE
seriously… maybe you both should take a science class in a non christian school
Righteo Reply:
April 9th, 2009 at 12:15 am
I would argue that any scientific argument against the existence of any god, at least at this juncture, must fall in the category of “hypothesis” as “theory” implies testable methodology and a track record of success. (But that’s just me quibbling over people’s irresponsible use of the word “theory”)
On the other hand, there is quite sufficient historical data to suggest that the contents of the New Testament may have been stolen from older stories (having nothing to do with christianity) ultimately coming down to an interesting potentiality: that your god may exist, but that everything you thought you knew about it may be wrong. Interesting, non?
Hey, I’ve got an idea! Let’s allow religious beliefs to address personal and spiritual issues, while, AT THE SAME TIME, we use the scientific method to deal with environmental issues.
he should be forcibly removed. this is unconstitutional. SEPERATION OF CHURCH AND STATE.
Tim Reply:
April 5th, 2009 at 2:13 pm
the first amendment states “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion.”— He can cite religion, or talk about it, all he wants, as long as it doesn’t make a law.
I’m not defending his logic.
the bible is the keystone of modern american ignorance. it’s not holy, and its stories are not even original. and to have these nuts quoting it, saying things like this when they represent american citizens with sense…get outta here. just get out.
there are millions of rational thinkers in this country and i’m tired of idiots like this guy speaking for the rest of us.
say that again.. plaaaynt food? hahaha
That is fucking hilarious. Someone just pointed out how he was quoting the bible as evidence, and then goes and uses the dinosaur card. I didn’t even think of that. That is fucking hilarious. I thought the bible said the earth is only like 6000 years old? lmao
Righteo Reply:
April 9th, 2009 at 12:17 am
From what I’ve heard a timeline isn’t specified in the text, but rather biblical scholars have produced a date based on the lineages and generations specified therein.
This is not funny. What can we as citizens possibly do to prevent people like this from running our country? I am not upset with him because he is religious, I am upset with him because he misinterprets the bible and he misinterprets scientific data in such a dangerous and careless way.
After reading some of these posts, I feel sick. You people are idiots, and your use of the our language is nothing short of pathetic. If you’re going to use a certain saying to express what you mean, don’t just ALMOST get it right, or don’t just approximate what you think you mean. God dammit, fucking type it correctly.
“It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded not by religionists, but by Christians, not on religions, but on the gospel of Jesus Christ.”
-Patrick Henry
joe schmo Reply:
April 9th, 2009 at 7:27 am
Actually, many of the founding fathers were either known or admitted atheists.
I’m American and agnostic and this douchebag definitely does not speak for me or properly represent my country.
This buttclown’s name should be spelled
Simpletonkuss.
Wacka wacka wacka doo.
We need a lot more Libertarians in government. Logic, rationality, and policies based on the principles of personal liberty and values essential to a functioning and free society. We need more people who base their reasoning on science, fact, and the Constitution instead of a worthless book that was written thousands of years ago. People like John Shimkus who hold ignorant faith in high esteem rather than searching for up-to-date research and real solutions are the cancer that hold our country back from excellence.
Let me get this straight. On one hand the American people think that the Islamic people are crazy because they believe that they should follow the Koran, word for word. On the other hand, the American people can elect a bumbling idiot like Congressman John Shimkus, who thinks that because the bible says that God said something,it has to be true and followed beyond any doubt. What a bunch of hypocrites.
This is entirely constitutional. Separation of church and state in no way applies to a representative speaking his opinion. Separation of church and state refers to legislative and executive actions, not some guy running his mouth in congress.
Furthermore, there is nothing that ‘we citizens’ can do to prevent people like this from running our country. That man represents the people who elected him, and that means he shares their opinions. If you feel that his opinions are wrong, you just have to suck it up, and elect your own representative who believes otherwise.
I think the guy is an idiot, but what he is doing is speaking his opinion and representing his constituents. That is precisely what he is supposed to do. This guy is not ‘misrepresenting rational America’, he’s representing irrational America. The rational ones have their own representatives.
joe schmo Reply:
April 9th, 2009 at 7:34 am
Well, I don’t know enough about the specifics of Constitutional law to offer an opinion on whether this speech is Constitutional or not. However, it does seem a bit out there to be saying it at a Congressional subcommittee hearing. You say that separation refers to legislative and executive actions. Wouldn’t a Congressional subcommittee hearing be a forum that is intended to drive or direct future legislative action? It may not be unconstitutional, but it also may not be that responsible as an elected official.
However, in hopes that the majority of the audience are fans of rational thought, I would guess he did more harm that good for his cause.
I really dont understand how such a small controversial topic could possibly bring this many crazy people out of the woodwork.. not that everybodys points didnt make sense, most actually did..i just dont get what the big fucking deal is….he quoted the bible and stated his “opinion” so honestly why does it even matter…
Morgan Mghee Reply:
April 11th, 2009 at 6:46 pm
Because we haven’t invited him over for dinner and discussion. He was elected to represent a district, not a religion. He was appointed to sit at a committee meeting for the energy and environment, where plans are discussed based on facts, known cause and effect. We go to church for religious discussion, and panel meetings on energy and environment for facts and science. We don’t call an expert witness on mental disorders to the stand in a court of law and enter his statements regarding God or composting into the record.
[...] think there should be an intelligence test required before a congressman or senator can be sworn into office. We should hold each state accountable for certifying that [...]
[...] Rep. John Shimkus (R-Ill) argues that Climate Change is BS because god said “the Earth will not be destroyed by flood.“ [...]
[...] the preservation of its life supporting qualities. This is not just stupid, it’s suicidal! See this quote from Republican Congressman John Shimkus of Illinois. Another dandy is this interview of Ann Coulter by Sean [...]
Keep voicing “THE TRUTH” from THE WORD OF GOD – Polititians!
I hope more men of God who love God’s Word and God Himself will keep reading God’s Word so that some might believe and be saved, whether it’s before kings, governor’s or in the scbool house. PRAISE GOD – let His Voice ‘be’ heard in all the world.
This IS the Great Commission in living color!!
Constitutional law to offer separation refers to legislative and executive actions by saying it at a Congressional subcommittee hearing
I’m happy so say with the election of Obama, idiots like this guy are enjoying less and less influence.
Did he refer to the Pre-Cambrian period and dinosaurs yet at very the same time assert that the Bible was the infallible word of God? Seriously, can he not make up his mind?
Rep. John Shimkus… R-ill. That would be MENTALLY ill… right?
My father always told me that there probably is intelligent life somewhere in the universe – and if it ever finds us we’re in big trouble.
This Shimkus guy is a dangerous ignoramus, unable to separate his supernatural delusions from objective reality and using that to irresponsibly ignore the fact of human-caused climate change. Someone as arrogant and butt-*stupid* as him needs to be impeached for dereliction of duty.
what that congressman said is the most asinine thing ive ever heard. That is the worst a straw man argument can ever get…
There’s so much Stupid going on around here, it’s hard to know where to start (or whether to even bother.)
But here’s the important point:
Yes, atmospheric CO2 could increase to 10-times the level it’s currently at and the planet would still be here, doing just fine.
But humans would NOT still be here. We’d be long dead. Terminally Extinct. As would probably the large majority of species alive today.
—-
As for Congressman Shimkus, my concern isn’t that he chose to read a passage from his particular version of the Christian Bible (though that’s not a good sign, generally), but instead it’s that he appears to lack some of the essential skills necessary to effectively carry out the role of a federal legislator… you know, little things like: Logic, Reason, and the ability to think critically.
Really, aren’t there any smart people in that Congressional district?
[...] taken from ForceChange [...]
Please contribute to the discussion by leaving a comment below. No need to agree with the post or other commenters, but please be constructive and respectful.
Heron Green Reply:
April 5th, 2009 at 9:04 am
so you think all americans are stupid because of the actions of one? can i apply that method to people in your country as well?
Reply
bub Reply:
April 6th, 2009 at 1:14 am
nobody said all americans are stupid. but there are stupid americans. making an generalisation for an argument is invalid and stupid, too! However, it is surprising how often stupid americans can win an election…
Reply