Can fundamentalist Christians evolve?

Staunton native Francis Collins, author of The Language of God and founder of The BioLogos Foundation, believes fundamentalist Christians can evolve to not only accept modern scientific principles, but that journey itself will also strengthen their faith. On the other side of the debate, Collins believes atheists are wrong to simply reject the teachings of various faiths. The mission of The BioLogos Foundation

". . . addresses the core themes of science and religion, and emphasizes the compatibility of Christian faith with what science has discovered about the origins of the universe and life."

Collins is an accomplished scientist. He is a physician and geneticist who directed the National Institutes of Health's Human Genome Project. His work is noted for discovering disease genes - advances that have made, and will continue to make possible dramatic advances in health and disease treatment. Collins is also a evangelical Christian. As his medical career progressed, he realized that there are some questions, such as death and dying, for which science didn't give him all the answers.

I'm neither a scientist nor a religious person. I do believe that science provides the keys to human advancement, even human survival on planet Earth. The scientific method and inquiry is nudging us to understanding truths about life, our environment, indeed the universe. On matters of faith I am a skeptic. But, I am also intrigued by the essential role religion plays in the lives of friends and family. I believe firmly in freedom of religion and that religion and government should occupy separate spheres.

The dialogue about the compatibility of science and faith that Collins and The BioLogos Foundation are helping to initiate will help to bridge the gulf between the two sides. While Collins wants to help atheists and skeptics understand some truths about faith, he seems to understand the greater challenge is to help fundamentalist educators and families understand that evolution and other scientific facts in no way undermine their faith in God.

Wherever you stand, whatever you believe, this is a conversation worth having - without all the shouting that has too often characterized it. Columnist Kathleen Parker recently commented on Collins' work in Evolving Faith. How about starting your own conversation in your family, among your friends, in your church. Unless we all evolve, we'll diminish the great promise of human potential.

Are we dumb clucks?

Think you are smarter than a politician? Do you know what is in the First Amendment? How about the role of the Electoral College?

The Intercollegiate Studies Institute (ISI) is a nonpartisan educational organization whose "purpose is to further in successive generations of college youth a better understanding of the values and institutions that sustain a free and humane society." ISI has developed a short quiz which tests knowledge of government, history, and economics. In a press release earlier this month, ISI said Americans, including elected officials, earned a failing grade on American history and economics. The public got an average score of 49% while elected officials scored 44%. Less than 1% scored an "A."

One might scratch and peck at the questions that are included, or the wording of certain questions, or a hidden agenda of ISI, but the quiz has already prompted editorial comment and discussion. For example, Kathleen Parker wonders if Americans are too ignorant to vote in her recent column, Voters Fail the Test. 

We could also legitimately ask "Would history have been changed if John McCain had used this basic quiz to vet potential VP candidates?

Take the quiz.

Dark underbelly of the beast

Allow me to introduce myself. I am a traitor and an idiot. Also, my mother should have aborted me and left me in a dumpster, but since she didn't, I should "off" myself.

Kathleen Parker, a conservative columnist, has learned firsthand about the ugliness on the Republican right - express an opinion contrary to the party line and they will try to silence you. About a week ago, Parker has written that Sarah Palin was out of her league and should be dropped from the ticket. In response, she got thousands of emails, many of them incredibly ugly, even threatening. You can read her entire column in the Washington Post.

I'm glad Parker had this epiphany and now realizes how mean the spirit can be on the Republican right. Out in the countryside of the 6th District, we've experienced it for years. Stolen and defaced signs. Obama signs shot by high powered rifles. Threats to people who write letters to the editor or place signs in their yard. Some threats acted upon with vandalism and personal intimidation.

Times are rapidly changing here in the 6th. Folks who have had enough are asking, no begging, for Obama/Biden signs which are springing up all over the place. In the newspapers I read, letters supporting Democratic candidates at least equal those supporting Republicans. Perhaps I'm biased, but they are also better written and more thoughtful. So many of the GOP letters seem to be repeating talking points of the partly line (don't want to stray like Parker did, or you will be silenced, too).

I have many Republican friends who subscribe to conservative principles and would never engage in this mean spirited discourse. On the other hand, I know several, including a couple holding office, who will smile to your face while stabbing you in the back. And I certainly know Republicans don't have a monopoly on being nasty, but it does seem much more despicable (not to mention unAmerican) when the group in the majority tries to silence the minority. Perhaps we in part owe this mentality to negative ads approved by the candidates - if its OK for them to lie and make hateful allegations against an opponent, it must be OK for anyone.

So Kathleen Parker has learned, as the Bible taught, "sow to the wind, and reap a whirlwind." That is a lesson we can all take to heart.