Two good letters back to back today

Theocracy? No wayIn response to Michael Fasbender’s letter to Reader’s Alley of May, 24, addressing censorship and asking “ who’s afraid of God.” I’d like to remind him of this: In theocratically ruled nations such as Iran, Saudi Arabia, the former Taliban of Afghanistan, etc., it is MANDITORY that school students study and memorize the Koran. Their laws are religious based and punishments include stoning, cutting off of hands, executions by beheadings, etc. I, sir, do not want to live in a theocracy — are you sure you do? Please be thankful you can enjoy your religion freely in your home and your church, with your family and friends. I realize you love your religion, and your God, but you are on a slippery slope of asking for a Christian theocracy (remember they have an Islamic theocracy). We live in a free country with many peoples of many beliefs. But more to the point, science belongs in science class and religion belongs in home and church — let’s keep it that way. And don’t forget, it’s all been fine so far with over 90 percent of Americans believing in God — it doesn’t sound like anyone is “afraid of God” to me.Janine Hunt5295 Hidden Valley Drive

Evolution primerTo answer Jim Standaert’s letter of June 1:Evolution is the process by which new species develop from older species. Generally, a species is a related group of organisms which are able to reproduce only with their own kind. (There’s more to it than that, but I have only 200 words.)Some mechanisms of evolution are:— Natural selection. Some traits may help an organism survive better than others. If those traits are passed on, they may become prevalent.— Sexual selection. Peahens prefer flashier peacocks. Flashier peacocks prevailed.— Genetic drift. Not all genes are expressed in any given population. If, say, a fire kills half a population, those genes will be removed from the gene pool.— Geographical isolation. A population may become isolated from its parent population, and adapt to the new environment.— Mutation. Most mutations are harmful, but some are helpful.Speciation has been observed in living populations. DNA and fossils prove it’s happened before.Biologists admit they don’t know everything. Creationists say they do know everything, so we shouldn’t try to learn more. They mix miracles, junk science and balderdash to fill the gaps. That’s why it shouldn’t be taught in science classes—except as an example of how not to do science.Adam Laceky649 N. Ewing