Letter: Science, religion don’t belong together

Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2005 | 8:27 a.m.

A recent letter to the editor claims that intelligent design must account for the existence of the universe because of the precision with which the stars and planets interact. He continues the argument that the tides, the oceans and the nature of oxygen further demonstrate intelligent design. Then he leaps to the nature of the cell and life itself and its complexity as the final buttress for the design theory.

Has the letter writer never taken a science course? There is no evidence of critical scientific thinking. Scientific discovery long ago uncovered the laws of physics that explain the movement and interaction of the stars and planets.

The movement of the tides is directly and measurably predicted by our understanding of the effect of the moon's gravitation. Oxygen and the other elements and indeed all chemical interaction is now predictable thanks to the discoveries of science.

Many mystical beliefs of the past have been explained quite rationally by the discoveries of scientists. As science continues to uncover the mysteries of the workings of DNA and other life processes, more order is displayed.

How can this person conclude that orderliness must be the result of intelligent design? Where is the evidence? A theory requires proof. Just because it seems so does not make it so.

Science shows how things work and must prove its discoveries. Philosophy and religion ask the "why" questions and do not require proof. These separate disciplines should not be taught together in the classroom.

Richard Newton

Las Vegas