E-Letter responses to:

n-focus: Jennifer Couzin EVOLUTION: Crossing the Divide Science 2008; 319: 1034-1036 [Summary] [Full text] [PDF]

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Published E-Letter responses:

Intolerance for an Intolerant Worldview

Stepehn Rader   (3 October 2008)

Contemplating the Divide

Charles C. Dickinson   (3 July 2008)

Evolving Universe

Virginia A. Dell   (25 March 2008)

Intolerance for an Intolerant Worldview 3 October 2008
Stepehn Rader Department of Chemistry, University of Northern British Columbia, Prince George, BC V2N 4Z9, CANADA Respond to this E-Letter: Re: Intolerance for an Intolerant Worldview	Your news story on Stephen Godfrey’s evolutionary epiphany (News Focus "Crossing the Divide," by J. Couzin, 22 February 2008, p. 1034) is both frightening and timely. Many readers of Science may believe, as I once did, that the debate over teaching evolution in American schools is largely irrelevant to our lives and careers as scientists–after all, what concern is it to us if some fraction of the public does not believe in evolution? There are plenty of people who have not even heard of quarks, and yet who enjoy happy and productive lives. My complacency was recently shaken when I read American Fascists by Chris Hedges, former reporter for the New York Times. His book makes a compelling link between the Christian Right's goal of establishing a fascist theocracy in America and their efforts to have evolution eliminated from American schools. Hedges argues that by undermining science and rationality they aim to eliminate intellectual inquiry, which threatens ideology. In other words, far from being a minor debate about academic content, the arguments over teaching evolution in schools are the tip of the totalitarian iceberg—an iceberg that brooks no dissent on any issues, whether moral, social, religious, or anything else. Does this seem far-fetched? From our ergonomic chairs and well-appointed offices, does the idea of a movement of religious fanatics seeking to overthrow the Enlightenment seem unlikely? Perhaps. But then again, perhaps we should take heed of the rise of the Taliban in Afghanistan, the Khmer Rouge in Cambodia, or indeed the Nazis in Germany, to remind ourselves that the thin veneer of civilization is easily stripped away by a determined mob, and that the first people put to the knife are the intellectuals. So while I sympathize deeply with Dr. Godfrey's personal anguish in turning away from his biblical literalist roots, I am more concerned that those roots have found such fertile soil, and dismayed that so many have embraced the totalitarian worldview of fundamentalist theology. Let us teach evolution and be intolerant of intolerance. Stephen Rader Department of Chemistry, University of Northern British Columbia, 3333 University Way, Prince George, BC V2N 4Z9, Canada.
Contemplating the Divide 3 July 2008
Charles C. Dickinson Boston, MA, USA Respond to this E-Letter: Re: Contemplating the Divide	Bravo to Stephen Godfrey and the others named for having the courage, not only to make their "crossing of the Divide" (News Focus, "Crossing the divide," by J. Couzin, 22 February 2008, p. 1034), but to give their testimony of it. I am perplexed, though, that none of them seem to have found—or perhaps even sought—counsel from anyone of the larger, worldwide religious community of which their smaller religious community is presumably a part. Are there no pastors willing or able to speak to this heavy emotional burden? On a more academic yet helpful plane, it would seem that if Godfrey and his colleagues—not to mention his smaller religious community and his family—knew even a fraction as much about the 300-year career of modern biblical scholarship as they presumably know of the 500-year career of modern science, such a conflict between the two cognitive realms need never have arisen. Charles C. Dickinson Boston, MA 02108, USA.
Evolving Universe 25 March 2008
Virginia A. Dell, Professor, Biology Department Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics Respond to this E-Letter: Re: Evolving Universe	To comment on the News Focus article ("Crossing the divide" by J. Couzin, 22 February 2008, p. 1034), perhaps one way to ease the trauma of separation from old ways of belief and the disapproval of family members is to consider that an all-powerful God surely is almighty and creative enough to create a universe that evolves. The concept of a Supreme Being who creates a living system in which variability is built in is much richer than the brief story in Genesis. I doubt however, that such an idea will be taken seriously by literal interpreters of the Bible. The fact is that education of any kind can lead to disconnects from parents and family who just do not understand the need and the drive to learn more about the world around us. The discoveries made about the workings of our marvelous universe are the primary motivation for most scientists, religious or not. Godfrey has expanded his world; his family has not. Virginia A. Dell Biology Department, Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA.