Mailbag - March 19, 2002

Keep intelligent design out of public schools

This is in response to a Community Commentary by Rick Rainey (“Pilot

columnist too accepting of evolution,” Feb. 26).

If it gives Rainey comfort to believe in a busy God facilely creating

planet Earth, as well as the millions upon millions of present and

extinct creatures in his celestial lab, then so be it. Every known

culture and civilization has sought some answers to the great questions

of whence we came and whither we go.

If Rainey is really interested in creation mythology, then he should

know that the Old Testament’s version is among the least interesting,

inventive and exciting of the genre.

The enormous body of creation mythology is full of fascinating tales

and imagery. It deserves research for sheer enjoyment, if nothing else.

However, to attempt to interweave the gossamer of leaps of faith (a

six-day creation, a 60,000-year-old Earth, humans in the image of God,

etc.) with hard, scientific facts is an exercise in futility.

Fund religious schools. Publish anti-evolution tracts. Preach your

biblical mythology from the pulpit, from the street corner and from the

Internet. But, please, do not attempt to have that ancient mythology

forced upon California’s public school students. The world is confusing

enough and daunting enough already without deliberately turning out

citizens whose views of life on Earth will be viewed with amused contempt

outside the shelter of family and parish.

I believe, wholeheartedly, in the freedom of religion, and I believe

inalterably in our freedom from religion. That is the American way.

WALLACE W. WOOD

Costa Mesa

Intelligent design may be proven yet

The chattering classes are at it again: two letters on March 5

(Readers Respond, “Evolution wins over a couple readers”). And the same

morning’s Los Angeles Times reports on a quaint religious sect in Canada

that preaches that “scientists from another planet created all life on

Earth.”

Now there’s a revelation. Whereas Newport-Mesa trustee Wendy Leece has

heretofore only alluded to an intelligent designer, the Canadians have

outed him/her/them.

I know how tempting it is to write off designer creation as smoke and

mirrors, but that’s going too far. Wholly smoke says it all.

DICK LEWIS

Balboa Island

In classrooms, only teaching matters

As best teacher of the year awards go, the Pilot’s contention that

best teachers should be about best teaching is right on target

(Editorial, “Teacher of the year should be about teaching,” March 10).

As the 1998 winner of such an award in my own two-college district, I

am constantly reminded that our efforts to be great teachers must be at

the heart of all we do.

As important as academic freedom may be, nothing is more important

than how we engage our students -- with knowledge, positive energy and

enthusiasm. In the vital world of the classroom, nothing else matters.

LEE MALLORY

Newport Beach