This Darwin Day, Take A Look At Which Republicans Are Further To The Right On Evolution Than The Pope Is

A version of this piece was originally published on Oct. 29, 2014.

Pope Francis, thought of by some Republicans as “too liberal,” made headlines in 2014 when he declared evolution is real, contradicting the beliefs of many who argue evolution can’t be factual because God created the universe and all living things.

“God is not a divine being or a magician, but the Creator who brought everything to life,” Francis said. “Evolution in nature is not inconsistent with the notion of creation, because evolution requires the creation of beings that evolve.”

Even presidential contenders have argued against evolution in the past. Former Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.), who ran in the Republican presidential primary in 2012, once said “there are hundreds and hundreds of scientists, many of them holding Nobel Prizes, who believe in intelligent design.” In 2011, she argued for teaching intelligent design in schools and “letting students decide” what they believe.

Former Texas Gov. Rick Perry (R), who also ran in the 2012 GOP primary and is mulling another presidential run in 2016, said in August 2011 he thought evolution is “a theory” with “some gaps in it.” Only two candidates who competed in the 2012 GOP primary touted their belief in evolution: former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman, Jr. and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, who went on to be the GOP nominee that year.

Paul Raushenbush contributed to this report.

The Huffington Post