March 2022 Newsletter
In this Clergy Letter Project update you’ll find the following twelve items:
- Evolution Weekend 2022;
- Astrobiology News for March 2022: The Allure of Venus;
- Creationism Enters the Georgia Senate Campaign;
- Word and Wonder Wednesdays;
- The Real Thing: On Dreams, Reality, and the Search for Truth;
- Review of A Brief History of Earth;
- Scientists in Synagogues: Final Call;
- Answers in Genesis Addresses Gender Roles;
- Welcoming the Stranger;
- Religion and Science Internship Available;
- The History of Legislative Attacks on the Teaching of Evolution; and
- On-Line Religion and Science Opportunities.
1. Evolution Weekend 2022
I’m taking this opportunity to share two items dealing with Evolution Weekend with you. The first is a sermon delivered by the Reverend Judy Young. She shared a Zoom recording of her service with me along with the following note:
You may be interested in checking out my sermon directly addressing Climate disruption from yesterday. I’m also attaching the hand-out that I created for members of the Presbyterian congregation to pick up afterwards, giving some specifics on what individuals can do. As always for anything that may be seen as every remotely political, I focused the sermon on scriptures in both Testaments, and was surprised to find how much hope was in them…but the sermon contains less science for that reason. Still, it could be helpful to know one way to approach the topic with Christians. I found Katharine Hayhoe to be a helpful climate scientist to quote, since she also addresses climate disruption as a Christian—and she convinced me to directly address the problem of depression keeping people from working on the issue.
You can listen to her sermon here (it begins at the 34:15 minute mark) and you can view her hand-out here. I trust you’ll find both items interesting and useful.
Second, the Reverend David Felten was recently interviewed on The God Show with Pat McMahon. This episode was entitled “Science vs Religion: Now THAT’S a Superbowl!” (It was broadcast the Sunday following the actual Super Bowl.) David, in addition to speaking articulately about the relationship between religion and science, does a wonderful job of explaining the origin, meaning and importance of Evolution Weekend. I suspect that you’ll enjoy listening as much as I did.
Finally, if you participated in Evolution Weekend 2022 and are not listed on our page of participants, please let me know and I’ll get you added.
2. Astrobiology News for March 2022: The Allure of Venus
The possibility of life on Venus. Astronauts floating above the Venusian surface. These topics and more are discussed in this month’s Astrobiology News essay written by Grace Wolf-Chase, Senior Scientist and Senior Education & Communication Specialist at the Planetary Science Institute as well as a Clergy Letter Project consultant. She also shares information about two important citizen science projects in which you might want to participate.
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.
With an average temperature hot enough to melt lead, and a surface air pressure comparable to the water pressure a mile deep under Earth’s oceans, Venus may not seem very alluring today. Nevertheless, it is once again the target of robotic NASA missions that are expected to launch within this decade,(1) and there is growing evidence suggesting that this enigmatic world may have been the first habitable planet in our Solar System. In fact, it may surprise readers to learn that, in some respects, Venus’s upper atmosphere is the most Earth-like location found on another world in the Solar System today!(2)
In September 2020, a team led by astronomers in the UK announced the detection of phosphine on Venus, generating much excitement, since phosphine is produced biotically (by life) on Earth.(3) The following year, a team led by astronomers at the University of Washington claimed that the purported detection of phosphine could be explained by sulfur dioxide, which is not considered a sign of life.(4) The controversy about the detection is actually an excellent example of the scientific process, which, as MIT scientist Avi Shporer notes, “often includes continuous debate and attempts to explain evidence in different ways.”(5)
Although the likelihood that Venus supports any kind of life today may be very slim, the atmospheric pressure and temperature 50-60 km above Venus’s surface are similar enough to the surface of Earth to raise the interesting possibility of a mission including human exploration of this otherwise inhospitable world. An airship filled with a breathable gas mixture of oxygen and nitrogen would float at this height in the Venusian clouds, since breathable air is less dense than Venus’ atmosphere. Above this altitude, the atmosphere would be dense enough to protect the airship’s human inhabitants from harmful radiation from space. Furthermore, the astronauts could generate power from solar radiation – Venus receives about 1.4 times the amount of solar radiation than Earth receives due to its proximity to the Sun.
The robotic NASA missions in development for launch later this decade will hopefully shed light on the question of Venus’s past habitability, but might some form of microbial life survive in the cloud decks of Venus today? If so, would it resemble life on Earth, or might we learn that life has multiple chemical origins? The only way to find out for sure may be to scoop up material with a dedicated future mission!
On a different topic, I’d like to highlight two people-powered research (aka citizen science) projects that may be of particular current interest. In celebration of Women’s History Month, I urge you to consider participating in Star Notes, by helping to transcribe the work of the women astronomers who were known as the “Harvard Computers.”(6) There is also an exciting new project you can find on the SciStarter site – Outbreaks Near Me(7) is tracking the spread of COVID-19 and flu-like illnesses. All you have to do to participate is report whether you’re feeling healthy or sick, and answer some additional survey questions. The research team is also interested in collecting at-home COVID test results that won’t otherwise get counted. This is a very worthy project that asks for a very small time commitment from participants - about one minute per week!
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://solarsystem.nasa.gov/missions/veritas/in-depth/
2. https://dailygalaxy.com/2022/02/a-red-herring-the-life-bearing-clouds-of-venus/
3. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41550-020-1174-4
4. https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2021ApJ...908L..44L/abstract
5. https://dailygalaxy.com/2022/02/a-red-herring-the-life-bearing-clouds-of-venus/
6. https://www.zooniverse.org/projects/projectphaedra/star-notes
7. https://scistarter.org/outbreaks-near-me
3. Creationism Enters the Georgia Senate Campaign
This item doesn’t deserve a great deal of comment, but it does reflect the dismal state of affairs with respect to an understanding of both religion and science. Herschel Walker, a retired football star and the leading contender for the Republican senate nomination in Georgia, recently expressed his doubts about evolution making it clear that since apes and humans both continue to exist, the theorry of human evolution couldn’t possibly be correct. If nothing else, his ignorant statement ably demonstrates that our work at The Clergy Letter Project is far from over.
4. Word and Wonder Wednesdays
I recently received the following message from Rick Barr, a founding member of WesleyNexus and a longtime friend of The Clergy Letter Project. I suspect that many of you might find the new group he mentions, Word and Wonder Wednesdays, to be of interest.
New, online small group beginning Wednesday, March 16, 2022 7:30 to 8:30 PM via Zoom
This group will meet weekly via Zoom to explore topics at the intersection of faith & science. If you're looking for a conversation on theology, the Bible, science, and life's biggest questions, then this is the group for you. Join us weekly or drop in as your schedule allows.
To register: https://ccumc.churchcenter.com/groups/life-group/word-and-wonder-wednesdays
5. The Real Thing: On Dreams, Reality, and the Search for Truth
It’s my great pleasure to share another essay by The Reverend Ken Olson, a member of The Clergy Letter Project. This month he offers us a fabulous piece, entitled “The Real Thing: On Dreams, Reality, and the Search for Truth.”
His essay explores the meaning of truth and how we might search for it. As he typically does, he ranges from literature to science, philosophy to history. He discusses evolution among many other fascinating topics and manages to be both deep and humorous along the way. He notes, for example, that “there would be something contradictory about giving trophies for humility.” I hope you’ll enjoy his writing as much as I did.
Please take a look at his work; I’m confident that you won’t be disappointed. And to help you savor his writing, I’ve created an archive page for all of his essays that have been published in our newsletter. Enjoy – and please join me in thanking Ken for sharing his work with us.
6. Review of A Brief History of Earth
The Reverend Joseph Shook has written a book review of Andrew Knoll’s recent volume entitled A Brief History of Earth: Four Billion Years in Eight Chapters. Joe explains that the book does a superb job of describing the evolutionary changes that have occurred on Earth stretching back at least “3.5 billion years and perhaps much earlier.” Knoll also ties this evolutionary process into our current climate dilemma.
I’m pleased to say that his is the third book that Joe has reviewed for the newsletter. You can read his first two reviews here and here. If you’ve read a book that you think members of The Clergy Letter Project might also enjoy, please think about writing a review for the newsletter.
7. Scientists in Synagogues: Final Call
The deadline for applications to participate in Sinai and Synapses’s Scientists in Synagogues program is quickly approaching. Here’s the description of I included in last month’s newsletter. Please think about applying to this fabulous program.
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. Answers in Genesis Addresses Gender Roles
Many of you are undoubtedly familiar with the anti-science position of Answers in Genesis. After all, they created and run the Creation Museum and the Ark Encounter theme part. Ken Ham, the head of this organization, on supposedly religious grounds, just criticized President Joe Biden for comments he made during an “Equal Pay Day” event.
Biden said, “You know, I’ve told my daughters, granddaughters from the time they [were] old enough to understand what I was saying—and I mean it: There’s not a single thing a man can do that a woman can’t do as well or better. Not a single thing.”
Ham quotes Genesis 1:27 (“So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.”) to mock Biden and concludes that “we are not the same. Different roles are given to men and women.” This is the face of the creationist movement in the 21st century.
9. Welcoming the Stranger
Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker, the head of Congregation Beth Israel in Colleyville, Texas and a member of The Clergy Letter Project, has recently published a thoughtful and moving op-ed piece in The New York Times. As I’m certain you’ll remember, he and several of his congregants were taken hostage in their synagogue in mid-January. Despite that ordeal, he explains why he finds it so important to be willing to continue to welcome the stranger. His is an essay well worth reading.
10. Religion and Science Internship Available
Our good friends at the Dialogue on Science, Ethics, and Religion (DoSER) program, a part of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, have just announced an exciting internship opportunity. Please take a look at the job description and share it with anyone you believe might be interested in gaining experience at the interface between religion and science.
11. The History of Legislative Attacks on the Teaching of Evolution
Glenn Branch, deputy director of the National Center for Science Education and a good friend of The Clergy Letter Project, recently published a piece in Religion Dispatches entitled “One Hundred Years of Anti-Evolution Legislation Are More Than Enough" in which he reviews the history of legislative attacks on the teaching of evolution. His article marks the 100-year anniversary of the defeat of the first anti-evolution education bill in the United States – in Kentucky on 5 March 1922. Take a look at his article; you won’t be disappointed.
12. On-Line Religion and Science Opportunities
Susan Barreto, a good friend of The Clergy Letter Project and editor of Covalence Magazine, entitled her commentary this month “Keeping an eye on the public faith/science dialogue.” She provides summaries of and links to a number of on-line conferences and meetings dealing with religion and science.
Concluding Thoughts
I’ll be honest with you – I’m depressed. The brutality of the Russian attacks on civilians in Ukraine and the surge of the BA-2 Covid 19 variant we’ve seen in parts of the world make it difficult to concentrate on much else. While it’s difficult to know what to do about the former, other than sharing information and donating to relief agencies, we can do something about the latter. We can ensure that we and our loved ones are fully vaccinated and are taking appropriate measures when around others. If enough of us were to do these things, perhaps the coming BA.2 wave would dissipate. And neither of these issues are moving us any closer to meaningfully addressing climate change. Please continue to do what you can do raise awareness of these issues. As I so often say, and as I desperately want to believe, together we can make a difference.Finally, 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