One question that seems to embarrass all Presidential candidates is the question on Evolution. Some refuse to recognize its existence as a legitimate theory and prefer to let religious beliefs dictate their political message. Others refuse to discuss or advocate for the views of atheists, merely because they represent a minority of voters.
In this video, Sen. Gravel discusses his thoughts on evolution, creationism, and ultimately, the inherent oppression associated with religion and its marriage to the state.
"There is nothing which can better deserve our patronage than the promotion of science and literature. Knowledge is in every country the surest basis of public happiness."
George Washington, 1790
http://www.gravel2008.us
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Not sure why this video is entitled with the "oppressive nature of religion." In his remarks, Gravel makes a clear point for the necessity of the separation of church and state. Religion is a personal belief system, he says, and should not be enforced as public policy. Religion should be kept out of governance, for the mutual benefit of both. Having said that, he refers to the oppressive nature of the state itself, as well as the oppressive nature of religion. His concern seems to be with that which oppresses human beings, in general. There is nothing inherently oppressive about the government or religion, but in how they are expressed and exercised. Something atheists, creationists and scientists should all take to heart: absence of evidence is not evidence of absence.