Jindal also would support the teaching of creationism in schools, with the qualifier that students should be presented with all available evidence of the origin of life and be allowed to decide for themselves. “If a teacher wanted to say (creationism) is what some people believe and presented a range of views, there's nothing wrong with that,” Jindal said. [emphasis added; see below]
    Jindal said he has no specific plan to mandate a particular curriculum statewide. Rather, he sees the role of governor as weighing in on any local debate on such issues.
(Brian Thevenot, “Governor hopefuls say faith personal; But some say beliefs have political effect,” New Orleans Times-Picayune, Nov. 2, 2003, p. 1)

 

The conferees recognize that a quality science education should prepare students to distinguish the data and testable theories of science from religious or philosophical claims that are made in the name of science. Where topics are taught that may generate controversy (such as biological evolution), the curriculum should help students to understand the full range of scientific views that exist, why such topics may generate controversy, and how scientific discoveries can profoundly affect society. [emphasis added] 

 

Jindal [37:30]: “Integrity is doing the right thing when nobody’s looking. It’s keeping an eternal perspective, understanding there are things more important than winning or losing in the material world. I think it’s— I draw my definition of integrity from my Christian faith, about having that godly perspective, trying to keep that perspective first and foremost. . . .” 

 

Redman [44:23]: “Representative Jindal, your campaign complained early on about ads that raised questions about your religious beliefs. But some voters want to know, how will your beliefs affect your actions as governor and influence your approach to public policy? In your response, please comment specifically whether you would lead, oppose, or take a hands-off approach to efforts to restrict a woman’s right to abortion on demand, to mandating that public schools teach intelligent design as an alternative to evolution, and to allowing prayer at public meetings on school boards.”

Jindal: “Thank you, Carl. I’ll try to get to all those in a minute. Certainly, first, I thought the ads were underhanded and beyond even what you’d expect in Louisiana politics. To attack somebody for being a Christian I thought was a little bit much. I was glad to see the almost universal national and statewide condemnation of those awful ads. I wish my colleagues [gesturing toward the other candidates] would also condemn those ads. In terms of how my personal beliefs, my Christian faith, will affect me being governor and affect my job— look, I’m not one of those people who thinks you can have a private or a public morality. The reality is, in my faith, in the church, we’re taught that you give your entire, 100% of yourself, to God, but we also live, we live in a pluralistic society, a society with rights for minorities, a society with rights for people who agree with us and who disagree with us. On those three issues, Louisiana’s already passed a law under the current governor, the current legislature, that would, would enforce, would provide for a pro-life state in case the [U.S.] Supreme Court allows the state to do that. The reality is this is a decision that’ll be decided in the federal courts. I am pro-life, but I respect the role of the judiciary. Secondly, in terms of prayer in public gathering places, I personally disagreed with the federal judge that ruled you couldn’t have prayer before school board meetings because she was worried that children would be actually exposed to prayer. [Jindal was referring to U.S. District Judge Ginger Berrigan, who ruled on a school board prayer case in Tangipahoa Parish, LA. See Jindal’s H. Res. 146, 109th Congress: “Expressing support for prayer at school board meetings,” March 10, 2005.]

 

Redman: “What about intelligent design? Just real quick.” [gesturing to moderator with one finger raised, signaling a request for extra time]

Moderator: “You can do a follow-up.”

Redman: “What about intelligent design? And the issue really is, it’s not what’s on the books, but if this comes up again. Because this state has wrestled with creationism and spent a lot of time and resources. I was covering the legislature for a couple years when they wrestled with the abortion issue. It could come back at any time. What the governor does is very critical [in those fields?].”

Jindal [nodding]: “Sure, and let’s talk about intelligent design. I’m a biology major. That’s my degree. The reality is there are a lot of things that we don’t understand. There’s no theory in science that could explain how, contrary to the laws of entropy, you could create order out of chaos. There’s no scientific theory that explains how you can create organic life out of inorganic matter. I think we owe it to our children to teach them the best possible modern scientific facts and theories. Teach them what different theories are out there for the things that aren’t answerable by science, that aren’t answered by science. Let them decide for themselves. I don’t think we should be scared to do that. Personally, it certainly makes sense to me that when you look at creation, you would believe in a creator. Let’s not be afraid to teach our kids the very best science.”

 

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