Relax, God Vowed Not to Destroy Earth: Would-Be Energy Chair

In climate change debate, Shimkus points to God's promise to Noah
By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff
Posted Nov 10, 2010 2:50 AM CST
Updated Nov 10, 2010 4:00 AM CST
John Shimkus, Energy Committee Hopeful, Bases Climate Change Position on Bible
Shimkus has sent a letter to GOP lawmakers saying his experience makes him "uniquely qualified among a group of talented contenders to lead the Energy and Commerce Committee."   (AP Photo/Harry Hamburg)

A leading contender to chair the House Energy Committee has plucked his position on climate change straight from the pages of Genesis. People shouldn't worry about the planet being destroyed, Rep. John Shimkus testified last year, because God promised Noah after the flood that he wouldn't destroy the planet again. "As long as the earth endures, seed time and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night, will never cease," the Illinois Republican said confidently, quoting Chapter 8, Verse 22 of Genesis.

"I believe that is the infallible word of God, and that's the way it is going to be for his creation," Shimkus continued. "The earth will end only when God declares its time to be over. Man will not destroy this earth. This earth will not be destroyed by a flood." Shimkus, who has served on the committee since 1997, will likely be competing against Texas Rep. Joe Barton and Michigan Rep. Fred Upton for the leadership, Politico notes.

(More Genesis stories.)

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