Evolution memo puts heat on Bridges

By Will Davis

‘This thing got blown out of proportion. I didn’t know (the memo) was going to be sent out, nor had I read (the memo).” - Rep. Ben Bridges

For the first time in 11 years, state Rep. Ben Bridges (R-Cleveland) says he'll not introduce a bill to hinder the teaching of evolution in public schools after facing heavy criticism last week for a controversial memo on the issue.

Bridges is blaming the media for blowing out of proportion the story about a memo bearing his name that urges legislators to stop the teaching of evolution in public schools because it has religious roots in Jewish mysticism.

“Indisputable evidence--long hidden but now available to everyone--demonstrates conclusively that so-called ‘secular evolution science' is the Big-Bang, 15-billion year alternate ‘creation scenario' of the Pharisee Religion,” reads the memo from Bridges, which was circulated to lawmakers in at least six states. “This scenario is derived concept-for-concept from Rabbinic writings in the mystic holy book Kabbala dating back at least two millennia.”

The memo urges legislators to introduce bills to stop the teaching of evolution in public schools because, as a religious concept, it violates the Constitution.

While it bears Bridges' name, the memo was actually written by Marshall Hall, a retired high school world history teacher in Cornelia, and the husband of Bridges' campaign manager, Bonnie Hall. The memo includes links to Mr. Hall's Website, www.fixedearth.com, which, along with its anti-evolution claims, says that the earth is fixed and doesn't revolve around the sun. The memo also includes a sample bill legislators can introduce that would stop the teaching of evolution on religious grounds.

The Dallas Morning News, Atlanta Journal-Constitution and Atlanta radio talk show host Neal Boortz picked up the story, the latter lampooning Bridges and saying that the 12-year lawmaker came out of the Stone Age and is the result of a stem-cell experiment gone wrong at Cleveland's Babyland General hospital. But Bridges says the entire story is being overblown.

“This thing got blowed out of proportion,” Bridges said on Monday. “I didn't know (the memo) was going to be sent out, nor had I read (the memo).”

The Anti-Defamation League in Atlanta, a group that battles anti-Semitism, wrote Bridges last week calling on him to apologize. But Bridges said he doesn't have any apology to make because he didn't offend anyone.

“I ain't guilty of anything,” said Bridges. “I regret the media made what they made out of it.”

Bridges said the media's job is to cause controversy that sells, and said Boortz doesn't care who gets hurt in the process. Noting the Atlanta Journal-Constitution's announcement last week that it's paring back circulation to 40 Georgia counties, he said the paper is paying for its ways.

“I guarantee you telling lies and misleading the public has gone out and will catch up with you,” said Bridges. But he said he felt like he'd get a fair chance to give his side in the White County News.

The Bridges memo story emerged nationwide after Warren Chisum, a conservative Texas lawmaker, forwarded the memo to his fellow legislators there last week. When a media firestorm ensued, Bridges distanced himself from the memo.

Bridges allowed that he had met with Hall, just as he would meet with any constituent, but said he never read the memo, which includes Hall's phone number and e-mail address for contact information.

Bridges, a member of Helen First Baptist Church, called Hall a “very intelligent guy,” but said he had never been to his Website and doesn't know what he believes.

Hall moved to Cornelia 18 years ago after retiring from the Miami area public schools. He said he's worked for years with efforts around the country to break up the evolution monopoly in public schools, but said the courts have frustrated every effort by arguing that creation cannot be taught because it's religious in nature. That's why, said Hall, they're trying a different tactic, to show that the theory of evolution has religious roots.

Bridges has proposed a bill for the past 11 years to counter the teaching of evolution in public schools, bills which have yet to go to the floor for a vote. But this year, he said he will not introduce such a bill, even though his views haven't changed.

“If a theory is not supported by scientific evidence, don't teach it,” said Bridges. “Plain and simple.”