Palmer Events Center
Science and Religion Are Two Separate Topics
RECEIVED Mon., June 8, 2009
Dear Mr. Black,
In response to your “Return to Forever” article [“Page Two,” May 29], I have a few concerns.
While your article skips around, covering many topics, you did recall the same old issues that seem to get nowhere. Science and religion are two separate topics: Science is a way of thinking about our world, and religion is a way of believing about our world. It is indeed tunnel vision to think the two are linked or that they contradict each other.
However, in your statement, “Certainly, the 24-hour Earth day in which we travel around the sun in no way restricts the creator,” you incorrectly stated scientific fact. Our 24-hour Earth day is a result of one Earth rotation on its axis, not revolving around the sun (which is equal to one Earth year) as you claim.
Research shows that the average American is basically scientifically illiterate. For example, more than half of Americans do not know what causes the seasons nor understand the role of DNA and genes in heredity. Any discussion of evolution and creationism must first include scientific fact. Perhaps if our citizenry knew more about our planet and the diversity of living organisms on it, this debate would indeed be over.
In response to your “Return to Forever” article [“Page Two,” May 29], I have a few concerns.
While your article skips around, covering many topics, you did recall the same old issues that seem to get nowhere. Science and religion are two separate topics: Science is a way of thinking about our world, and religion is a way of believing about our world. It is indeed tunnel vision to think the two are linked or that they contradict each other.
However, in your statement, “Certainly, the 24-hour Earth day in which we travel around the sun in no way restricts the creator,” you incorrectly stated scientific fact. Our 24-hour Earth day is a result of one Earth rotation on its axis, not revolving around the sun (which is equal to one Earth year) as you claim.
Research shows that the average American is basically scientifically illiterate. For example, more than half of Americans do not know what causes the seasons nor understand the role of DNA and genes in heredity. Any discussion of evolution and creationism must first include scientific fact. Perhaps if our citizenry knew more about our planet and the diversity of living organisms on it, this debate would indeed be over.
Sincerely,
Julie Wasserman
Science educator
Julie Wasserman
Science educator
[Louis Black responds: The 24-hour Earth day comment was a stupid mistake on my part. The Chronicle's usually so vigilant proofers missed it as well. The column accepted that science and religion are two separate topics but argued that they weren't inherently contradictory.]