Belief in God and science can coexist
Cynthia Tucker's Jan. 27 column, "Restore hope, science to rightful place," is a sad example of insulting editorialist writing generously seasoned with half-truths. In 11 paragraphs she misapplies empiricism, elevates scientific research above morality (failing to specify that embryonic stem cell research is the type that President Bush restricted), and calls America a "nation of superstitious ignoramuses" and "flat-earthers."
Ms. Tucker seems unwilling to differentiate between operational science (which has produced industrialization, computers, modern medicine, etc.) and origins science (which deals with the past). Operational science deals in repeatable processes. Origins science attempts to interpret present evidence that we might understand our historical beginnings. Lumping medicine, space exploration and scientific research into a diatribe about faith, theoretical beginnings and our corporate (un) intelligence is either badly informed or purposely ignorant journalism.
Evolution is a theory that starts with decidedly nonobjective assumptions and attempts to explain the origin of the universe and life. Don't be fooled, modern science doesn't rubber-stamp evolutionary conjecture. Along with other disciplines, DNA research and information theory underscore the idea that faith in evolution is misplaced.
We are all looking at the same facts. Interpretation of those facts depends upon the suppositions or axioms we begin with. Creation science (yes, science) begins with God and applies His existence to the evidence. It is every bit as subjective as evolution.
The "modern West" Ms. Tucker refers to is degenerating because we continue to marginalize the one true God. Weak journalism helps foist poor scholarship and humanistic agendas into the culture. We create gods in our own image. Blind acceptance of evolutionary theory is merely symptomatic. One result: morality becomes increasingly subjective.
Rejecting faulty scientific theories or immoral applications of medicine doesn't mean I am superstitious, unscientific or ignorant. I believe in and fear God.
Dan Toth
St. Charles