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
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READERS' FORUM: June 19, 2013
• Nutrition info falling short
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READERS’ FORUM: June 18, 2013
• Beware those who follow Ayn Rand
• Poor excuse for gas price hikes
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The Obama Debate: Is he a liar or incompetent?
I read the letters on the opinion page daily and I find an unusual silence from your liberal progressive contributors lately. Could it be because they don’t have anything to expound upon? Well, maybe I can give them some material.
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A Fathers Day Tribute: Transition — from child to father
Transition seems like a big word to use as his story unfolds. Transition was probably never used in conjunction with speech, his speech, but it demonstrates his life, as it does in many lives lived in his generation.
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READERS' FORUM: June 16, 2013
Horrible crime cries out for stern justice
Confused about groups’ merger
Global warming fraud exposed
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The Obama Debate: President has served us well
I have not heard a positive thing by those in this area about this president since his 2008 election and 2009 inauguration. Why this manifestation, I just can’t understand.
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READERS' FORUM: June 15, 2013
America needs another hero
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READERS' FORUM: June 14, 2013
Mott statements contradict history
Display the flag
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READERS' FORUM: June 13, 2013
Bad odor from gas prices
Build personal library
Morning after? No worries
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READERS' FORUM: June 12, 2013
Like it or not, change coming
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READERS’ FORUM: June 11, 2013
• Great support for local cause
• Another idea on housing issue
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READERS’ FORUM: June 10, 2013
• What is the cost of our austerity?
• Vintage campers to gather at rally
• Seek a healthy food alternative
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Readers’ Forum: June 9, 2013
• Taking time to help the world
• Reform by politics will not improve education
• Questions from a wondering mind
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FLASHPOINT: Storm chasers must heed warnings, remember why we chase storms
The tragic death of noted weather researcher and former Discovery Channel storm chaser Tim Samaras has shaken all of us in the meteorological community.
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READERS' FORUM: June 7, 2013
Thanks to those who helped VYFL
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READERS' FORUM: June 6, 2013
Unions need to educate public
Can it really happen here?
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READERS’ FORUM: June 5, 2013
• Steamed by rise in gasoline prices
• Time to look into voucher results
• Troubling precedent
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READERS’ FORUM: June 4, 2013
• What can lead us into peace?
• What’s with John McCain in Syria?
• Slams and damns all part of process
• This cannot stand
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READERS’ FORUM: June 3, 2013
• Appreciation for clean-up helpers
• Great help for food program
• Boston does not need sarcasm
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FLASHPOINT: Humane Society does not merit IRS targeting either
Rep. Blaine Leutkemeyer is right that the IRS should not target any charitable organization solely on the basis of its ideology. Yet that’s exactly what he’s asking the IRS to do in his factually unfounded attacks on The Humane Society of the United States, the nation’s largest animal welfare organization and one that has the highest marks from the top charity watchdog organizations.
- READERS' FORUM: June 2, 2013
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READERS' FORUM: June 1, 2013
• Pot use getting little attention
• Beware of thieves initiating scams
• Good start for new program
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READERS' FORUM: May 31, 2013
History of service is labor of love
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READERS' FORUM: May 30, 2013
World No Tobacco Day set for Friday
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READERS' FORUM: May 29, 2013
Caring, concern from Dixie Bee
A painful change in phone dialing
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READERS’ FORUM: May 28, 2013
• Missed chance for a hardliner’s proclamation
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Readers’ Forum: May 27, 2013
Thanks for help honoring teachers
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READERS’ FORUM: May 26, 2013
• Be suspicious of climate alarmists
• IRS abuses have a long history
• Lawsuit seeks fairness in Indiana’s alcohol laws
• Greed not good reason to change state alcohol laws
• Outraged over Deming proposal
• Why Americans must fight Islam
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FLASHPOINT: A crisis at the NLRB
Most people in Indiana don’t even know what the National Labor Relations Board is. Well, why should they?
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FLASHPOINT: Legislative session reflected Hoosier priorities
The 2013 session of the Indiana General Assembly came to an end just a few weeks ago with the final passage of our state’s next two-year budget.
- More Letters Headlines
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READERS' FORUM: June 19, 2013




