[Kevin]

I respect anyone who as an individual takes their religion very seriously.

In government, however, you are charged with the responsability of governing many lives that don't necessarily share your views. This needs to be taken into account. If you represent those people, you need to be willing to act accordingly on their behalf. If you are a creationist Christian, you'd better listen to the 75% of your constituants that want evolution to be taught in public schools and creationism to be taught in Sunday schools.