October 2024 Newsletter
In this Clergy Letter Project update you’ll find the following 18 items:
- The Clergy Letter Project’s Presidential Election Statement;
- Across the Cosmos for October 2024: Europa Clipper to “Set Sail”;
- Eugenics Is Making a Comeback;
- Climate Change? Nope, It's Weather Manipulation;
- The Year American Jews Woke Up;
- Trump Bibles Coming to Oklahoma;
- Francis Collins: Truth, Science, Faith and Trust;
- Christian Oppose Teaching the Bible in Public Schools;
- Peter Hotez Wins Award Bridging Science and Religion;
- Religion and Science Weekend 2025;
- Being the Calm in the Storm;
- Science Denial Has Nasty Real-World Consequences;
- Review of Keeping the Faith;
- September’s Covalence Magazine;
- What’s Happening in America Today is Darker than a Misinformation Crisis;
- Eco-Judaism: Why and How We Should Care for Creation;
- A Symphony of Science and Faith; and
- Curiosity and Credibility.
1. The Clergy Letter Project’s Presidential Election Statement
Do you care about the truth? Do you have respect for human dignity? Are you concerned about the ravages of climate change? Of course you do; you’re a member or friend of The Clergy Letter Project!
Given these concerns, please share The Clergy Letter Project’s statement on the presidential election as broadly as possible. Remember, given feedback from members, rather than endorsing a candidate in the election, we’ve drafted advice for voters. That advice centers on issues at the heart of our mission – the twin values of religion and science.
Our statement can be found here. Please share it with friends and colleagues. Please post it on whatever social media platforms you use. Please send it to local and national media outlets. Please help spread the word and help change the world. Together we can make a difference – if we want to. Please want to make a difference!
2. Across the Cosmos for October 2024: Europa Clipper to “Set Sail”
In this month’s essay, Grace Wolf-Chase, Senior Scientist and Senior Education & Communication Specialist at the Planetary Science Institute as well as a Clergy Letter Project consultant, revisits a column she wrote over a decade ago about the upcoming Europa Clipper mission to one of Jupiter’s moons.
I first wrote about a possible mission to Europa for the Clergy Letter Project e-newsletter more than ten years ago,(1) and it’s exciting to see Europa Clipper finally come to fruition! Although its launch from Cape Canaveral will have to wait out Hurricane Milton, Europa Clipper is ready to “set sail” for a rendezvous with Jupiter’s moon in 2030.(2) The spacecraft will be powered by an extensive array of solar panels, not solar sails; however, the “set sail” metaphor seems appropriate for Europa Clipper’s main science goal: to determine whether there are places below the surface of this icy moon of Jupiter that could support life.
At least seven of my colleagues at the Planetary Science Institute (PSI)(3) are involved with instruments that will help elucidate the nature of this fascinating world. PSI scientists and staff are providing their expertise to four of the nine instruments aboard the spacecraft: Mapping Imaging Spectrometer for Europa (MISE); Europa Thermal Emission Imaging System (E-THEMIS); Europa Ultraviolet Spectrograph (Europa-UVS); and Europa Imaging System (EIS).
MISE will map ices, salts, organics, and spots on Europa that might suggest habitability, and investigate how material is exchanged between the surface ice and subsurface ocean. E-THEMIS will seek activity like icy geysers in regions where Europa’s subsurface ocean may be near the surface. Whereas MISE and E-THEMIS operate at infrared wavelengths, Europa-UVS will focus on ultraviolet measurements that are particularly sensitive to detecting vapor plumes, and EIS will produce high-resolution color and stereoscopic visible light images of Europa, which will enable studies of geologic activity, surface elevations, and provide context for other instruments.
I started this month’s column by referencing another column I wrote for the CLP e-newsletter in 2013. By my count, I’ve written 129 columns to date – enough material to provide a bit of a historic look at how some of the topics addressed have developed over the last decade. My thanks to Michael for preserving them in an archive! Hopefully, six years from now I’ll be able to relay some of Europa Clipper’s anticipated exciting results.
Finally, those of you who have used the Zooniverse platform for people-powered research may be interested to know that Zooniverse has updated some of its features, including, among other things, a new way to create and share group goals.(4) This was one of the features requested by some of the faith communities I’ve engaged in Zooniverse projects, and it’s wonderful to see it implemented!
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://www.theclergyletterproject.org/pdf/abnews82013.pdf
2. https://science.nasa.gov/mission/europa-clipper/
3. https://www.psi.edu/blog/meet-the-psi-scientists-powering-europa-clipper/
4. https://blog.zooniverse.org/2024/09/10/coming-soon-freshening-up-the-zooniverse-homepage/
3. Eugenics Is Making a Comeback
For people who dismiss the science of climate change, there's a rich irony in the fact that they've begun to embrace the pseudoscience of eugenics. As you’ve likely seen, Donald Trump has pontificated on the “bad genes” immigrants are bringing into the United States, this after he claims they are poisoning the blood of “our country.” Comments like these are incredibly dangerous and mirror what was being said in Germany in the 1920s and 1930s. The New York Times seems to embrace Trump’s eugenics position. Here’s the headline they recently ran (on 9 October 2024) in response to his disgraceful rants: “In remarks about migrants, Donald Trump invoked his long-held fascination with genes and genetics.” If you can tolerate it, you can see Trump’s remarks on eugenics here.
4. Climate Change? Nope, It's Weather Manipulation
You’ve likely already seen that Marjorie Taylor Greene has opined that “they” are controlling the weather and sending storms to Republican areas. As crazy as that is, unfortunately it is only the tip of this anti-science conspiracy. Here, for example, is a full interview with an “expert” who explains exactly how it is done. The comments from true believers in response to the interview are, perhaps, even more frightening than this absurd belief.
5. The Year American Jews Woke Up
The Clergy Letter Project is about respect and understanding for and meaningful communication with those who hold different beliefs. We’ve long spoken out against the Islamophobia that has gripped many in the Untied States. In addition to that hatred, there is a rising tide of anti-Semitism in our midst. Bret Stephens, a columnist for The New York Times, has written a truly powerful piece describing the situation. I urge you to take a look at what he has to say. You can read it via this gift article here.
6. Trump Bibles Coming to Oklahoma
I’ve written previously about the fact that the state of Oklahoma is now requiring that the Bible be taught in public schools. The state recently issued the specifications for the 55,000 Bibles it wants to purchase. Those specifications are bizarrely specific: they must include the Declaration of Independence as well as some other founding documents; they cannot contain any commentary; they must be the King James version; they must be bound in leather (or “leather-like). Perhaps not surprisingly, it appeared that there were only two versions of the Bible that met all the required criteria, both with sales earning cash for the Trump family: the $60 “God Bless the USA Bible” with cash flowing to Trump; and the $90 “We The People Bible” with cash flowing to his son. After significant pushback, the state just modified its specifications to indicate that the political documents, the Pledge of Allegiance, the Declaration of Independence, the Bill of Rights and the U.S. Constitution, can be bound separately from the Bible itself, perhaps making it possible for other publishers to bid on the state contract. You can read the latest here.
7. Francis Collins: Truth, Science, Faith and Trust
Francis Collins, past director of the National Institutes of Health and the Human Genome Project as well as a member of The Clergy Letter Project’s list of scientific consultants, has just published a new book entitled A Road to Wisdom: Truth, Science, Faith, and Trust. Collins recently participated in an interview with Jim Stump, vice president for programs at BioLogos, the organization that Collins founded. The interview makes for fascinating reading and Collins argues persuasively about the importance of both religion and science, while promoting the criticality of truth, all the while urging respect for difference and civil discussion. You can read the full transcript here.
8. Christian Oppose Teaching the Bible in Public Schools
A petition by Faithful America, an organization of Christians supporting social justice causes while resisting "Christian nationalism," opposing the mandatory teaching of the Bible in elementary reading and language arts lessons in Texas, has gained thousands of signatures. Read more here.
9. Peter Hotez Wins Award Bridging Science and Religion
Peter Hotez, co-director of the Texas Children’s Hospital Center for Vaccine Development and founding dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine, has been a critically important voice in promoting the importance of science literacy and opposing all types of discrimination, in addition to helping to develop low-cost and/or free vaccines. Villanova University has named him the 2024 winner of the Mendel Medal in recognition of his many accomplishments. Villanova notes that “The Mendel Medal is awarded to outstanding scientists who have worked to advance the cause of science and, by their lives and their standing before the world as scientists, have demonstrated that between true science and true religion there is no intrinsic conflict.” You can read more about this honor here.
10. Religion and Science Weekend 2025
Religion and Science: Living in Awe Religion and Science Weekend 2025 14-16 February 2025 I don’t need to say much at this point! Please sign up now to participate in Religion and Science Weekend 2025. You can celebrate this year’s theme, you can commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Scopes trial, or you can do anything else you deem appropriate to promote the compatibility of religion and science. But please do keep the conversation alive!
_____ Yes, I plan to participate in Religion and Science Weekend 2025. Please sign me up as a participant.
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11. Being the Calm in the Storm
The Reverend Michael Dowd was a fabulous voice for evolution and the dangers of climate change, not to mention a member of The Clergy Letter Project. He created the “post-doom” movement, solace for those who believed that civilization collapse was inevitable but who wanted to live full, helpful and fruitful lives. The movement has been described as promoting a spirituality that moves into — and then eventually beyond — grief and repentance toward a deeper, more courageous, compassionate, and spiritual aliveness. Michael’s final sermon before his untimely death is entitled “Being the Calm in the Storm” and it encapsulates his post-doom theology very well. You can listen to it here.
You might also want to view this moving photo tribute to Michael posted just after his passing by Connie Barlow, his wife.
12. Science Denial Has Nasty Real-World Consequences
Thomas Edsall, writing in The New York Times, discusses the historical origins of the growing distrust of science, scientists and scientific conclusions as well as exploring the dire consequences of such a movement. You can read his opinion piece in this gift article here.
13. Review of Keeping the Faith
Glenn Branch, deputy director of the National Center for Science Education, recently published a review in The Humanist of Brenda Wineapple’s new book about the Scope’s trial, Keeping the Faith: God, Democracy, and the Trial that Riveted a Nation. His glowing and thoughtful review ends by noting that “at a time when attacks on evolution education seem to be sadly resurgent, it is good to be presented with such a spirited chronicle of the fabulous monkey trial of a century ago.” You can read the full review here.
14. September’s Covalence Magazine
There are a number of great articles in September’s Covalence Magazine but I want to bring two in particular to your attention. The first discusses a study performed by a Stanford University researcher. As the article notes, “religiosity alone does not provide a reason for skepticism of science.” It goes on to say, however, that “a strong predictor of science denial may be how much exposure religious people have to members of other faiths.” Learning about others significantly helps people combat misinformation! You can read the article here.
In the second piece, Clergy Letter Project member Ted Peters offers his take on “a public theology of technology.” Here’s his concluding paragraph: “As the public theologian places the church in conversation with the wider culture about the promises and perils of technological advance, I recommend we draw on three doctrinal insights — (1) gratitude to God for our creativity; (2) viewing technology as only a means oriented toward the common good as an end; and (3) realism about sin combined with reliance on divine grace for salvation.” You can read the full essay here.
15. What’s Happening in America Today is Darker than a Misinformation Crisis
The Atlantic just ran a story by staff writer Charlie Warzel entitled “I’m Running Out of Ways to Explain How Bad This Is” with the subheading, “What’s happening in America today is something darker than a misinformation crisis.” He discusses some of the impetuses behind the spewing of misinformation and, more importantly, why so many people accept, indeed, revel in, that misinformation. Warzel cites Michael Caulfield, an information researcher at the University of Washington, who has argued, “The primary use of ‘misinformation’ is not to change the beliefs of other people at all. Instead, the vast majority of misinformation is offered as a service for people to maintain their beliefs in face of overwhelming evidence to the contrary.” Warzel goes on to note that “this is nothing less than a cultural assault on any person or institution that operates in reality. If you are a weatherperson, you’re a target. The same goes for journalists, election workers, scientists, doctors, and first responders.” The piece, frightening and distressing, is well worth reading. You can do so via a gift article here.
16. Eco-Judaism: Why and How We Should Care for Creation
The next webinar in The Institute on Religion in an Age of Science’s (IRAS) Science, Religion & Society series will be hosted by Rabbi Fred Scherlinder Dobb, a member of The Clergy Letter Project. His presentation is entitled “Eco-Judaism: Why and How We Should Care for Creation.” The event will take place on 22 October 2024 at 5 pm Eastern and is free, although registration is required. You can learn more about the event and register by going here.
17. A Symphony of Science and Faith
In this item and the next, I share two great posts by our good friends at Science for the Church. Ed Rosado, engagement coordinator for Science for the Church, opens this essay by writing, “Have you ever heard of a science-themed liturgy for worship? Neither had I. That is why I took the opportunity to create one…. My goal was to design a liturgy that integrates scientific discovery with the profound sense of awe found in Christian worship. I crafted each movement to celebrate the harmony between faith and science.” You can read the full piece here.
18. Curiosity and Credibility
The Reverend Jane Graner, senior pastor at Trinity United Methodist Church in Duncanville, Texas and a member of The Clergy Letter Project, had a discussion with staff at Science for the Church about the ways she successfully integrates scientific content into her sermons. She offers ideas that I suspect many of you might find compelling and useful. You can read the full conversation here.
Concluding Thoughts
With two devastating hurricanes, an ever-expanding war in the Middle East, no respite from war in Ukraine, a barrage of misinformation and lies from one side of the presidential election this has been quite a month. There is so much we need to do to push back and work to create a healthier, fairer, more peaceful, and greener world. With the start of a new Jewish year, let me simply say three things: l’shanah tova; g'mar chatima tova; and thank you for all you do!
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