February 2022 Newsletter
In this Clergy Letter Project update you’ll find the following twelve items:
- Evolution Weekend 2022;
- Astrobiology News for February 2022: Celebrating 50 Years of the Planetary Science Institute;
- Glasgow Multi-Faith Declaration on Climate Change;
- Religion, Gender and Sexuality;
- The Science Behind the Benefits of Religion;
- This Way to the Universe;
- Scientists in Synagogues;
- Anti-Evolution Legislation Introduced in Oklahoma;
- Evolution’s Empathetic Advocate;
- The Public’s View on the Teaching of Evolution;
- How Evolution is Being Taught in Middle Schools; and
- Post-Pandemic Worship.
1. Evolution Weekend 2022
There are four quick things I want to say in this item. First, thanks to all of you who participated in Evolution Weekend 2022. Second, if you participated but do not appear on our list of participants, please let me know and I’ll get you added immediately.
Third, if you delivered an Evolution Weekend sermon and would like to have it added to our sermon collection, please send it to me and I’ll get it posted.
Fourth, I want to share a wonderful blog post written by Reverend Ted Peters, a member of The Clergy Letter Project. He explains why he and his congregation participate in Evolution Weekend even though his congregants are fully on board with the principles of evolution. He explains that “there are two large cultural movements that we Christians should be concerned about: (1) the anti-science movement and (2) the militant atheist movement.” You won’t want to miss what he has to say!
2. Astrobiology News for February 2022: Celebrating 50 Years of the Planetary Science Institute
In this month’s Astrobiology News Grace Wolf-Chase, Senior Scientist and Senior Education & Communication Specialist at the Planetary Science Institute as well as a Clergy Letter Project consultant, explains the origins of and the exciting work being done by the Planetary Science Institute while wishing them a happy 50th birthday.
This month marks the 50th anniversary of one of the largest planetary science organizations in the world. During the late 1960s, a small group of scientists, most of whom had studied at the University of Arizona, worked in a space division of the Illinois Institute of Technology Research Institute (IITRI), an organization that provided planning and mission analysis support to NASA Headquarters for post-Apollo exploration of the Solar System.(1) IITRI’s location in Chicago apparently worked against attracting other young scientists, so a Tucson planetary division of IITRI was opened and the Planetary Science Institute (PSI) was established on Groundhog Day in 1972. Today, the nonprofit organization that began as the vision of a few young scientists has more than 160 employees, with scientists working remotely from 30 states and 10 other countries.
PSI is a unique organization in many ways. Most academic institutions devoted to research seek primarily to attract individual “superstars” in their respective fields. From the beginning, PSI exemplified a different philosophy, focusing on developing a collaborative, mutually supportive, atmosphere where member scientists with both overlapping and distinct areas of expertise work together in a climate conducive to producing excellent science. Nearly 50% of current PSI scientists are women – a percentage that is significantly higher than the vast majority of institutions devoted to scientific research! In my experience, PSI is the most egalitarian scientific society I’ve encountered during my decades as a professional astronomer, and I couldn’t be prouder to be part of this amazing organization during my career’s “golden years.”
PSI has been a pioneer in another respect – the use of remote technology to create and sustain a workforce that is distributed around the world, while maintaining a tight-knit community. Unlike many other organizations that had to acquire new modi operandi at the onset of the pandemic, PSI had the framework and expertise to navigate what has become the “new-normal” way of doing things. CEO and Director Mark Sykes maintains daily opportunities for PSI members to connect with each other about anything, a welcome counteraction to the isolation that’s been imposed on so many of us!
Over the past few decades, with the discovery of thousands of exoplanets and the birth of astrobiology, PSI has become a bellwether in creating connections between scientists in the multi-disciplinary fields that are critical for investigating questions of life and habitability – on Earth and far beyond. In order to do this, PSI relies on fundraisers and public donations in addition to grants. Though founded as a research institution, “PSI scientists and educators have been pioneers in engaging the public in citizen science and integrating real science experiences with the programs of faith communities.”(2)
As Mark says, “PSI would not exist without the support of the public, and we are committed to sharing what we learn with them. Our science takes many models developed for our world and tests them in literally alien contexts. This helps us to better understand our own planet and the threats it is facing today.”
Happy Birthday, PSI – may you live long and prosper!
Until next month,
Grace
Grace Wolf-Chase (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://www.psi.edu/about/history.html
2. https://www.psi.edu/news/50thanniversarypr
3. Glasgow Multi-Faith Declaration on Climate Change
The Reverend David Coleman, Minister of the United Reformed Church, Chaplain to Eco-Congregation Scotland and a member of The Clergy Letter Project, brought the Glasgow Multi-Faith Declaration on Climate Change to my attention. This powerful document issued by faith leaders in the UK mirrors our own Climate Crisis Letter. I urge you to take a look at it, to share it broadly, and, if you’ve not yet added your signature to our Climate Crisis Letter to let me know that you’d like to be included.
4. Religion, Gender and Sexuality
A recent article published by Religion News Service discussed “a new academic journal exploring the connections between religion, gender and sexuality.” The title of the article explains the basic premise of the endeavor: “New academic journal will challenge notion that religions hate queer and trans people.”
5. The Science Behind the Benefits of Religion
Our good friends at Sinai and Synapses, our sister organization have been busy this month as you can tell from this note and the following two items!
Sinai and Synapses shared a fascinating discussion with Dr. David DeSteno, author of a recently published book entitled How God Works: The Science Behind the Benefits of Religion. “DeSteno presents cutting-edge scientific evidence that religious practices and faith provide a toolbox for coping — even for the skeptical.” This discussion was part of Temple Isaiah’s participation in Sinai and Synapses’s Scientists in Synagogues program – take a look at item 7 below to learn more about the next iteration of the program.
6. This Way to the Universe
Dr. Michael Dine is Distinguished Professor of Physics at the Santa Cruz Institute for Particle Physics, University of California at Santa Cruz, the author of the recently published book entitled This Way to the Universe, and the husband of Rabbi Melanie Aron, a member of The Clergy Letter Project. He was interviewed by Rabbi Geoff Mitelman, executive director of Sinai and Synapses and a member of The Clergy Letter Project, as part of their Sacred Science series. Geoff explains that Michael’s “book deals with scales of the massive and the minute, and how we humans can intuitively understand scales that are about our size, but struggle with those that are very big or very small. How can we better understand and explain the universal and the quantum scales? And how can awe, curiosity and lessons from Judaism help?”
A wonderful book and a great discussion!
7. Scientists in Synagogues
Sinai and Synapses has just received a three-year renewal grant from the John Templeton Foundation for one of its signature programs, Scientists in Synagogues, and is now accepting applications from congregations for inclusion in the program’s next round. They describe the program clearly and succinctly as follows: “Scientists in Synagogues provides communities a $5000 grant, along with mentorship, guidance and connections, in order to run grass-roots programs that offer Jews opportunities to explore the most interesting and pressing questions surrounding Judaism and science. Its aim is to share how some of the most thoughtful Jewish scientists integrate their Judaism and their scientific work so that they can be role models and ambassadors for productive conversations surrounding Judaism and science.”
I’m proud to say that I’ve long been associated with the Scientists in Synagogues program as a resource person and I’ve been impressed by many of the events participating congregations have put on. I hasten to add that many of the participating congregations have been led by rabbis who are members of The Clergy Letter Project. I encourage you to read more about the program here and to think about applying.
8. Anti-Evolution Legislation Introduced in Oklahoma
An absolutely crazy bill was introduced in the Oklahoma senate this month. The bill is entitled “Students’ Religious Belief Protection Act” and, if enacted, would prohibit K-12 teachers from “promoting” any position "that is in opposition to closely held religious beliefs of students." The bill permits any parent or guardian to bring suit against an instructor who teaches something the parent or guardian feels conflicts with their religious beliefs. If the objectionable instruction does not stop immediately, the teacher will be fined a minimum of $10,000. The bill goes on to make it clear that the fine must be paid from the personal funds of the teacher without any assistance from other individuals or groups. “Any evidence of receiving outside assistance shall result in termination of their position and a stay placed on any reemployment with any public school position within the state for five (5) years.”
Obviously, this bill would effectively prohibit the teaching of evolution – and much more. Equally obvious is the fact that this bill is blatantly unconstitutional but given the current composition of the courts there is no telling what would happen if a legal determination had to be made. I suspect that the bill will die a quiet death but its mere introduction makes it clear how much more work The Clergy Letter Project has to do. If you’re reading this in Oklahoma, please contact your state representatives to let them know how abhorrent you find this bill.
9. Evolution’s Empathetic Advocate
Glenn Branch, deputy director of the National Center for Science Education and a long-time friend of The Clergy Letter Project, wrote a moving eulogy to E.O. Wilson in American Scientist. The piece is entitled “Evolution’s Empathetic Advocate” and it’s subheading explains Glenn’s basic premise: “When it came to creationism, the late E.O. Wilson hated the sin but loved the sinner.” Despite adamantly rejecting all forms of creationism, Wilson was respectful toward those who promoted beliefs that directly contradicted the science he loved so dearly. His attitude is one that The Clergy Letter Project tries to emulate.
10. The Public’s View on the Teaching of Evolution
Our good friends at the National Center for Science Education published a summary of recent results found by Mood of the Nation Poll from Penn State's McCourtney Institute for Democracy. The opening paragraph explains some salient highlights: “A whopping 90 percent of Americans think that schools should teach about the scientific evidence for the evolution of human beings, but almost half (44 percent) think that biblical perspectives on creation should also be taught, while 10 percent think that only biblical perspectives should be taught….”
The poll also depressingly found that respondents indicated they felt that the group that should have the influence over evolution curriculum were parents, exceeding science teachers. It’s well worth taking a look at the results and redoubling our efforts to ensure high quality science education is present in our schools.
11. How Evolution is Being Taught in Middle Schools
Additional reporting from the National Center for Science Education (NCSE) follows nicely from the item above. They report on the teaching of evolution in middle schools. They conclude that improvements in the way evolution is dealt with in state science standards will likely lead to enhanced instruction. Even with better state standards, however, and largely due to issues like public perceptions mentioned in the above item, they also recognized that “To realize the potential for improvement in evolution education in the middle school science classroom, these teachers must receive the support they need to teach evolution effectively."
The same NCSE link also discusses a review of the latest Magic School Bus book concluding that “For anyone wanting to share that story with young readers, The Magic School Bus Explores Human Evolution will be a splendid start."
12. Post-Pandemic Worship
Susan Barreto, a good friend of The Clergy Letter Project and editor of Covalence Magazine, entitled her commentary this month “How do we do ‘endemic’ church?” Her thoughtful piece discusses what it might mean for worship as we move from the pandemic we’ve been living through to a new endemic state.
Concluding Thoughts
Even as the omicron surge abates, I hope all of you are taking appropriate precautions to remain safe. And I hope you are all vaccinated and are encouraging everyone you know to be vaccinated as well. I hope we are moving past the worst of the pandemic but given low vaccination rates in this country and around the world – for very different reasons – these are still worrying times. Be careful, be smart, but don’t stop living your livesFinally, as always, I want to thank you for your continued support and 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