April 2023 Newsletter
In this Clergy Letter Project update you’ll find the following seventeen items:
- Planning for Religion and Science Weekend 2024;
- Astrobiology News for April 2023: Taking an Exoplanet’s Temperature;
- Grace Wolf-Chase: An Interactive Universe;
- Reinventing Society with Philosophy, Religion, and Science;
- Spirituality in the Age of Science;
- Should Humans Ask AI Chat Programs for Religious Guidance?;
- World on Brink of Catastrophic Warming;
- IRAS Conference: The Wizards of Climate Change;
- Creationism, Climate Denial and Anti-Vaxx;
- “I Made a Mistake”;
- Using Junk Science;
- Good News on the Creationism Front from West Virginia;
- Good News on the Creationism Front from Minnesota;
- Good News on the Creationism Front from Kentucky;
- Potential Law Promoting Creationism in Texas;
- Teaching Teachers to Teach Evolution; and
- Awe and Wonder.
1. Planning for Religion and Science Weekend 2024
Although Religion and Science Weekend 2024 is still 10 months away, it is time to begin thinking about possible themes for the weekend. As we did this past year, I’d very much like to collect possible ideas and put them to a vote of membership. So, please begin thinking of the theme you would like to see The Clergy Letter Project endorse. While I’ll put out a formal request for topics next month, if you have a suggestion, you can send it to me know.
2. Astrobiology News for April 2023: Taking an Exoplanet’s Temperature
In this month’s Astrobiology News essay, Grace Wolf-Chase, Senior Scientist and Senior Education & Communication Specialist at the Planetary Science Institute as well as a Clergy Letter Project consultant, discusses the amazing advances being made that enable us to learn about the nature of exoplanets.
Studying the properties of exoplanets is high on the list of JWST’s science objectives.(1) In the coming months, we should be hearing a lot about the planets that orbit the red dwarf star TRAPPIST-1. Measuring the temperature of the innermost (TRAPPIST-1b) of the seven Earth-sized worlds in this system is a milestone achievement that was first reported late last month. Indeed, the measurement marked the first detection of any form of light emitted from a small, rocky exoplanet.(2)
At first blush, you might ask, so what? TRAPPIST-1b is about 450 degrees Fahrenheit, so it’s hardly a good candidate to support life! However, what’s so remarkable is how its temperature was measured and what the temperature indicates about this exoplanet’s atmosphere (or lack thereof). TRAPPIST-1b’s temperature was measured from what’s known as a secondary eclipse, when the exoplanet passes behind its star. Although the exoplanet doesn’t emit visible light, both exoplanet and star emit infrared light, and the small dip in the infrared light output of the system when TRAPPIST-1b passed behind its star enabled a precise measurement of its dayside temperature. That temperature was higher than expected if the exoplanet had an atmosphere to distribute heat evenly around the world, but was in good accord with no appreciable atmosphere.
Red dwarf stars are about ten times more common than stars like our Sun, but they are also likely to experience flares and bursts of x-rays that can erode a planet’s atmosphere. Red dwarf stars are also likely to host rocky worlds. Twenty-two of the 24 exoplanets listed under the conservative sample of potentially habitable exoplanets on the website of Arecibo’s Planetary Habitability Laboratory(3) orbit red dwarf stars, including four in the TRAPPIST-1 system (d, e, f, & g), so assessing whether any of these worlds is in fact habitable is a high priority!
Given the progress towards determining exoplanet habitability, it is fitting that much of today’s science and religion dialog focuses on the prospects for discovering extraterrestrial life. On April 22 (Earth Day), CLP member and astrotheologian Rev. Dr. Ted Peters, together with aerospace engineer and historian Paul Segura, will present a webinar sponsored by the Institute for Theological Encounter with Science and Technology (ITEST),(4) Finding God in Space Exploration and Extraterrestrial Life.(5) The webinar is free for ITEST members, clergy, seminarians, and consecrated religious ($10 for others), and registrants will receive private links to the archived presentation whether or not they tune in for the actual event.
Finally, by the time you read this column, the program for this summer’s Parliament of the World’s Religions in Chicago(6) should be available to the public – I encourage you to check out the Science & Religion track among the exciting 700+ events that have been scheduled. CASIRAS will also have an exhibit booth, so please come say ‘hi’ to us if you’ll be in town for this incredible conference!
Until next month,
Grace
Grace Wolf-Chase (she/her/hers) (gwolfchase@gmail.com)
Senior Scientist & Senior Education & Communication Specialist, Planetary Science Institute (www.psi.edu/about/staffpage/gwchase)
Vice President, Center for Advanced Study in Religion and Science (CASIRAS: www.casiras.org)
1. https://jwst.nasa.gov/content/science/origins.html
2. https://www.nasa.gov/feature/goddard/2023/nasa-s-webb-measures-the-temperature-of-a-rocky-exoplanet
3. https://phl.upr.edu/projects/habitable-exoplanets-catalog
4. https://faithscience.org/
5. https://faithscience.org/apollo-8/
6. https://parliamentofreligions.org/
3. Grace Wolf-Chase: An Interactive Universe
Grace Wolf-Chase recently gave a talk entitled “Cosmic Creation Through the Ages” as part of the Epic of Creation course at Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago. Her presentation is now available on-line. You can watch it here.
4. Reinventing Society with Philosophy, Religion, and Science
Neil Wollman, a good friend of The Clergy Letter Project, has recently, along with Carolyn Love, edited a volume that I suspect many members will find interesting. The book is entitled Reinventing Society with Philosophy, Religion, and Science and address the compelling question: “What might a society that utilizes the valuable insights from the perspectives of philosophy, religion, and social science look like?” You can read more about the book here, and if you opt to purchase a copy directly from the publisher, you will receive a 25 percent discount if you use promotional code PROMO25 when you checkout.
5. Spirituality in the Age of Science
The Marginalian recently ran an essay that I suspect many of you will find interesting. It is entitled “The Faith of the ‘Naturist:’ John Burroughs’s Superb Century-Old Manifesto for Spirituality in the Age of Science.” You can read it here.
6. Should Humans Ask AI Chat Programs for Religious Guidance?
Religion News Service recently ran a story discussing religion and artificial intelligence. The title and subtitle provide a flavor of what the piece is about: “ChatGPT embraces the Golden Rule: A conversation about religious applications of AI with the latest version of the AI celebrity.” You can read it here.
7. World on Brink of Catastrophic Warming
You likely saw that the U.N. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) recently released its latest report and warned that the Earth is on the brink of catastrophic warming. The report also noted that such a catastrophe might be averted if swift action is taken. You can read a good news article summarizing the report in this Washington Post piece. (I’ve provided a gift link so anyone without a subscription can read the story for free.)
Given that swift action is needed and given that our Climate Crisis Letter calls for swift action, please let me know that you would like your signature added to that letter if you’ve not already added it.
8. IRAS Conference: The Wizards of Climate Change
The IRAS (The Institute on Religion in an Age of Science) summer 2023 conference is entitled “The Wizards of Climate Change: How Can Technology Serve Hope and Justice?” The conference will take place on Star Island, NH from 25 June through 2 July 2023. You can read more about the conference and register to participate here.
9. Creationism, Climate Denial and Anti-Vaxx
Paul Braterman, a member of The Clergy Letter Project’s list of scientific consultants, has written a blog post explaining how a creationist, climate denying organization has decided to go fully anti-vaxx. The link tying all of this together is an anti-science, anti-expertise streak a mile wide. Take a look at his piece. You won’t be disappointed.
10. “I Made a Mistake”
Tony Mitchell, a good friend of The Clergy Letter Project, has just drafted an essay for his congregation, Fishkill United Methodist Church, which will be forthcoming soon in God and Nature. He has given me permission to share it with you. The piece discusses how he ignored the first Earth Day and how he now recognizes what a large mistake that was. He concludes by saying:
Today, we have heard the voices of the modern prophets warning that we are about to make the same mistake, of ignoring the signs that we have not cared for the world that has been our task since the beginning days of humankind. Unless we change what we are doing, unless we find new and innovative ways to meet the needs of society without endangering society, we will find that our vision and the vision of the next generation will be dark and society will come to an end.
I hope you take the time to appreciate his essay and I hope doing so encourages you to sign our Climate Crisis Letter, if you’ve not yet done so. Just reply to this note and I’ll get you added to the more than 1,000 clergy members who have already signed on!
11. Using Junk Science
One of the major premises of The Clergy Letter Project is that religion and science need not be in conflict. Associated with that premise is the belief that science is independent of opinion. (Yes, opinion can influence what we do and what we believe, but it cannot alter the facts of the natural world. And uncovering those facts is what the scientific endeavor is all about.) We’ve seen how “junk science” has influenced the teaching of evolution, how it has dangerously shaped the debate over vaccinations, and so much more. Now we are seeing “junk science” play a critical role in the abortion debate. Here’s an interesting essay published by CNN entitled “Anti-abortion activists are using junk science to usurp the will of the American people.” Regardless of your opinions about abortion, I trust that you favor discussion and policy based on the best science has to offer.
12. Good News on the Creationism Front from West Virginia
For a change, there’s a bit of good news coming from a number of states on the creationism front. This item is 1 of 3.
A West Virginia bill permitting the teaching of intelligent design in all public and charter schools in the state died when the legislature adjourned for the year in March. Frighteningly, this bill passed the Senate overwhelmingly, 26-3, but it didn’t receive a hearing in the House Education Committee.
13. Good News on the Creationism Front from Minnesota
This is item 2 of 3 reporting some good news on the creationism front.
A bizarre Senate bill introduced in Minnesota requiring that students in grades 9-12 be taught about “how sickness, disease, pain, suffering, and death are a consequence imposed by the Creator of complex living organisms” died in committee.
14. Good News on the Creationism Front from Kentucky
This is item 3 of 3 reporting some good news on the creationism front.
A Senate bill that would likely have made it illegal for any teacher in the state of Kentucky to advocate for the theory of evolution died when the legislature adjourned on 30 March without it coming to the floor.
15. Potential Law Promoting Creationism in Texas
In contrast to the three good news items noted above, there is bad news coming out of Texas. A Senate bill, a companion to one introduced in the House, has been introduced and, if passed, would mandate that strengths and weaknesses of scientific topics such as evolution and climate change be taught in public schools throughout the state. If you’re in Texas, please contact your elected officials and urge them to vote against Senate Bill 2089 and House Bill 1804.
16. Teaching Teachers to Teach Evolution
Our good friends at the National Center for Science Education have teamed up with researchers at Penn State to explore “the relationship between the college coursework taken by U.S. public high school biology teachers and what they present about evolution in their classrooms.” You can read more about this fascinating study here.
17. Awe and Wonder
The Reverend Bruce Booher, a member of The Clergy Letter Project and the person behind this year’s theme for Religion and Science Weekend, has just published part 2 of his “Awe and Wonder” essay in Covalence. The piece is entitled “Awe and Wonder Part 2: Factors in the contemporary eclipse of awe in daily life,” and I suspect that you’ll find it well worth your time. You can read it here.
Concluding Thoughts
This is a distressing time. Extreme actions are being taken in the name of (extreme) religion and scientific information is being ignored. This poses dangers not only to religion and science but to society in general. Together we need to stand up and make it clear that the majority of religious leaders and members of congregations do not believe in such extreme positions but, rather, are working toward making the world a safer, healthier, greener, and more equitable place. And, in so doing, we need to make it clear that religious leaders and members of congregations value and respect the work of scientists. Together, we can educate the public and alter the nature of the toxic discourse swirling around us.
Finally, as I do every month, I urge you to take one simple action. Please share this month’s Newsletter with a colleague or two (or post a link via any social media platform you use) and ask them to add their voices to those promoting a deep and meaningful understanding between religion and science. They can add their signatures to one of our Clergy Letters simply by dropping me a note at mz@theclergyletterproject.org. Spread the word; change the world. Together we are making a difference.
Michael
Michael Zimmerman
Founder and Executive Director
The Clergy Letter Project
www.theclergyletterproject.org
mz@theclergyletterproject.org