TERRE HAUTE — Science doesn’t destroy faith in Scriptures: As a microbiologist who worked for NASA during the Apollo lunar landings, the pharmaceutical industry for 26 years and as a consultant for that industry in Europe for seven years, I believe I speak with some professional experience in the field. I would suggest that Dick Wood read an excellent book, “The Language of God”, by Francis Collins, current Director of NIH and former head of the Human Genome Project. The “language of God” refers to the Human Genome — Collins’ work on the cutting edge of the DNA code of life. He is also a man of unshakable faith in God and Scripture. Initial data supporting the Big Bang were provided by Edwin Hubble in 1929 and observations by the Hubble Space Telescope confirm it occurred approximately 14 billion years ago. When we survey the vast expanse of the human genome, 3.1 billion letters of the DNA code arrayed across 24 chromosomes, several surprises are apparent: At the DNA level we are all 99.9 percent identical regardless of which two individuals from around the world we choose to compare. The likelihood of finding a similar DNA sequence in the genome of other organisms, starting with a human DNA sequence (that contains the instructions for a protein) are as follows: chimpanzee (100 percent), dog (99 percent), mouse (99 percent), chicken (75 percent), fruit fly (60 percent), roundworms (35 percent). Virtually all of the genes on human chromosome 17 are found on mouse chromosome 11. Darwin could hardly have imagined a more compelling digital demonstration of his theory than what we find by studying the DNA of multiple organisms. The insistence that every word of the Bible must be taken literally like an eyewitness report on the evening news runs into difficulty with the first chapters of Genesis. Would it have served God’s purposes 3,400 years ago to lecture to His people about radioactive decay, geologic strata, and DNA? We do more damage to faith by demanding that belief in God requires acceptance of fundamentally flawed claims about the natural world. Too often, people forget that the drive to know, to understand, to comprehend the reality of the universe around us is what separates Homo Sapiens from lower orders of primates. — Lee Conrad The Villages, Fla. Former resident of Terre Haute for 26 years Burger deserves voter support I am writing to utilize your popular letter to the editor column to encourage the citizens of Vigo County to exercise their right to vote in the upcoming primary election. In doing so, I urge them to cast their vote for Rick Burger for County Council. I have known Rick for many years and have been most impressed with his many capabilities as he strives to make his community the best that it can be. He is hard-working, dedicated, enthusiastic, optimistic and an asset to have at our disposal. A vote for Rick would be a vote for progress. — Charles Uhl Terre Haute
Letters
- Letters
-
- READERS' FORUM: May 23, 2013
-
READERS' FORUM: May 22, 2013
Rich history all along the river
Great work by Duke employees
-
READERS’ FORUM: May 21, 2013
• Great response to annual golf outing
• Doing your part on climate change
-
READERS' FORUM: May 20, 2013
The dangers of a little knowledge
Students enjoyed Rose study trip
-
READERS' FORUM: May 19, 2013
• Flawed reasoning on gun checks
• A hint of things yet to come?
• Are the ‘makers’ doing the ‘taking’?
• The ‘Obamination’ is finally revealed
• Pondering effects of Obamacare
• Fantasizing on the ‘Apocalypse’
• Another view of Hinduism
• Great experience for HCMS students
-
FLASHPOINT: A legislative session of missed opportunities
Given the nature of politicians, grand claims of accomplishments and overblown rhetoric about “historic” efforts are to be expected at the close of any legislative session.
-
READERS' FORUM: May 17, 2013
Hinduism doesn’t deserve ridicule — Shefali Purohit, Terre Haute
-
Readers' Forum: May 16, 2013
Moving Deming folks sounds ‘nuts’
-
Readers' Forum: May 15, 2013
Participants rise to the challenge: I would like to write a letter congratulating all the Wabash Valley Roadrunners that competed in the One America Indianapolis Mini Marathon.
-
READERS' FORUM: May 14, 2013
ISTEP failure exposes flaws
Community hasn’t changed its spirit
Egregious threat to nation’s defense
-
READERS' FORUM: May 13, 2013
• Women’s group criticizes Bucshon
• Let’s hope this doesn’t come true
• Many get thanks for fest success
-
READERS' FORUM: May 12, 2013
Vigo Youth Football, entering 45th year, seeks new support
Media ignoring important case on abortions
Proud to be old-fashioned
Guns in school? What’s next?
Promoting hate not a ‘brave’ act
-
FLASHPOINT: Again in 2013 General Assembly, middle class generally ignored
Last year, the people of Indiana entrusted the Republican Party with some of their most precious possessions.
-
Readers’ Forum: May 11, 2013
I just wanted to express my disappointment at the lack of response shown by President Obama after the Boston Marathon bombings.
-
Readers' Forum: May 10, 2013
CANDLES event plants new seed: On April 26, CANDLES Holocaust Museum and Education Center hosted an event called “Sowing Seeds of Peace: A Celebration of Spring” at the Apple House. Our purpose was to introduce people to our concept of forgiveness as a seed for peace.
-
READERS’ FORUM: May 6, 2013
• Money drives our newfound ‘needs’
• Guns not the only dangerous objects
-
Readers’ Forum; May 5, 2013
Thankful for Pyle museum: I was happy to see the announcement of the Ernie Pyle Museum’s summer season opening, and I was reminded of how fortunate we all are to have such a museum close by.
-
FLASHPOINT: Lessons from the legacy media — get it right, first
Enough mistakes and maybe we’ll learn: When in doubt, leave it out.
-
FLASHPOINT: Hoosiers got steady hand in recent session
As the General Assembly began its work last November, as Speaker of the House, I pledged a renewed spirit of bipartisanship with legislators working together to solve our state’s most pressing challenges. As this year’s legislative session concludes, representatives from throughout the state — Republican and Democrat — have joined together to address those issues at the forefront of Hoosier minds: maintaining our state’s fiscal integrity, spurring job creation and expanding education opportunities for every Hoosier family.
-
READERS' FORUM: May 3, 2013
Deep gratitude during tragic time
-
READERS’ FORUM: May 2, 2013
• Terre Haute takes care of their own
• Postal contract causes concern
• Food price rise not appreciated
-
READERS' FORUM: May 1, 2013
Great support for Clay Habitat
-
READERS’ FORUM: April 30, 2013
• Gujarat attack was provoked
• Proud honor for THN student
-
READERS’ FORUM: April 29, 2013
• Avoid language of extremism
-
Readers' Forum: April 28, 2013
Another debacle for landowners: The integrity of our city and county officials continues to erode with an Issue that has come up on the east side of the city behind the Sycamore Terrace apartments.
-
FLASHPOINT: Time has arrived for overhaul of TV news
Former FCC Chairman Alfred Sikes gave an address in 1992 in which he claimed television news was too superficial and too focused on visuals.
-
Readers’ Forum: April 25, 2013
• Common Core: A simple choice
• Club again launches St. Ann’s fundraiser
-
READERS’ FORUM: April 24, 2013
• Good service was noticed
-
READERS’ FORUM: April 23, 2013
• Another great season at THN
• We’ve discarded our own privacy
-
READERS’ FORUM: April 22, 2013
Chickens should not be banned from residences
A challenge to Islamist dogma
- More Letters Headlines




