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Religion and science not incompatible
Letter to the editor
After reading Erin Hansen's letter (Herald, Oct. 25) on evolution as a "belief," I agree that the topic is absurd. It is absurd to speak of science as a "belief," when everything about science is designed to counteract unverifiable conclusions.
Religion and science are different things, and the conflation of the two is dangerous. Unlike religion, evolution is a natural phenomenon that has been proved, documented, explained and observed happening. It is as factual as it is possible for anything to be in science. It is as real as gravity, atoms, lasers or computers.
Millions of papers have been produced on this topic. Apparently, Hansen has read none of them. Alone of all the things science has discovered, explained and created, she has chosen this one thing to deny. Why?
The issue is not the veracity of evolution. For rational people, that is settled fact. The real issue here is fear. Hansen is afraid that if evolution is true, her faith is false. In reality, that is a false choice. Science has so far been unable to create life from scratch, although it is getting close. But even if we do manage to find the spark of life, there is no reason to abandon religion.
Religion gives humanity a way to talk about the mystery of life. Many prominent scientists who are in consensus with evolution also believe in a god. And many religious leaders, including the pope, acknowledge the reality of evolution. Religion helps us understand the meaning of our lives. Science shows us how those lives came into being.
Both are needed, but to mix up the two is not only horrifically ignorant, but poisonously lethal for the advancement of our species, as history teaches us over and over again.
Shan Wells, Durango
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