I posted this on the previous thread. It seemed appropriate—until I noticed that thread was dying. So, for your reading consideration (and probable down-dinging) here it is…

Charles,

Though inartful—and certainly tactless (especially from another fellow lawyer) this letter represents the sentiment I mentioned in another post on another thread last night. People like this do not want to let go of their “cause” even if it may be losing one. They do not seem to realize that the war is over how the future generations are being socially conditioned. The fight over evolution v. ID/creationism is just one battle in that war.

I fully appreciate your efforts and your overall reasoning. Any steps towards programs which might promote religious orthodoxy are to be avoided. We do not have to look too far back to see the calamities of such regiemes. As a fundamentalist (I attend an AOG church) I urge you to keep up the fight.

The reason the fight needs to go on—such as it is—is that the axis of attack must change. When people who’s scientific studies ended after the 12th grade are engaging in detailed discussions with accredited scientists, they stand as much chance of winning as the Zulus did against the British (after Islandwana). In short, there are a lot of people fighting this battle who are woefully ill-equipped to do so. They approach it with the same sort of demented fervor found on the left when their closely held beliefs are challenged. It is axiomatic; just because you strongly believe in something does not make it right. This is one reason why you have met with—and will continue to face—such nasty comments.

I would equally urge you to invite them to shift the focus of the attack to a more common ground. While the debate rages over science, we are losing our history. If time were not a factor this morning, I would post links to efforts to remove the names of Washington, Jefferson et al from schools due to the fact that they had been slaveholders. Stalin and Mao erased from memory those who had fallen from favor. The same thing can happen here—it will just take longer.

The shift in historical studies from inductive to deductive reasoning can have a far more profound effect than the issue of science. There can always be new breakthroughs in science which could challenge conventional wisdom. But if the founders of the nation are obliterated, if our political and historical traditions are destroyed to fit a new—and perhaps odious— social template template how can they ever be rehabilitated? And who is to say that “they” will stop with the founders? This is the battle which needs to be fought, and far more people can be better equipped to fight it than the current scientific clash.

Sincerely,

PS—I think the attack on our history is more insidious; no one really talks about it.