October 2021 Newsletter
In this Clergy Letter Project update you’ll find the following fourteen items:
- Evolution Weekend 2022: Time to Sign Up;
- Astrobiology News for October 2021: Planet Hunting (and More!) in the Zooniverse;
- Should Christians Dump Darwin?;
- Speaking of Words: The Gift and Glory of Language;
- Celebrating Dr. Francis Collins;
- Differentiating Differences;
- Sinai and Synapses Interfaith Fellowship;
- Rationality Matters;
- Being Forced to Preach About Science;
- Christ Alive in the World: Root, Shoot, and Fruit;
- Losing Your Religion... Over Science?;
- Covalence for October: An Appeal for the Climate;
- Is God More Like Ella Fitzgerald or Ludwig van Beethoven?; and
- Virtual Paleoanthropology Field Trip to Kenya.
1. Evolution Weekend 2022: Time to Sign Up
For those of you who haven’t yet done so, it’s time to sign up to participate in Evolution Weekend 2022 (11-13 February 2022). I’m planning to post our preliminary list of participants soon and it would be wonderful for that early list to be as large as possible.
Remember what Evolution Weekend is all about: an opportunity to raise the quality of discourse about the compatibility of religion and science. At a time when both religion and science are under attack, from different corners, there isn’t a better time to demonstrate how much the two can have in common and to demonstrate how, working together, they can help us build a better society and a more sustainable world.
Along these lines, please remember that the membership of The Clergy Letter Project voted on a theme for this year’s event: The Pandemic, Climate Change and Evolution: How Religion and Science, Working Together, Can Advance Our Understanding.
I very much hope you opt to engage with your congregation (or other group) on or near this weekend and explore the relationship between religion and science. This participation can take any form you think is appropriate, from a sermon or a guest speaker to a note in your weekly bulletin. Since the original Evolution Weekend in 2006, called Evolution Sunday at that time, together we’ve reached well over one million parishioners directly and many times that number via media reports about Evolution Weekend. This means that we’ve played an important role in shaping the way people around the world have engaged with this critical topic. Please help extend the reach that together we’ve created over the past 15 years and sign up to participate this coming February.
_______ Please sign me up to participate in Evolution Weekend 2022.
Name:
Congregation or similar group:
Location:
2. Astrobiology News for October 2021: Planet Hunting (and More!) in the Zooniverse
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, discusses a number of new Zooniverse projects you might want to explore.
This is a great time to consider participating in one of the Space(1) projects on Zooniverse -- there are currently 21 from which to choose, including one of the latest projects to be “launched” on the Zooniverse website, Planet Hunters NGTS.(2) “NGTS” stands for Next-Generation Transit Survey, and, unlike other planet-hunting projects on Zooniverse, observations from NGTS come from a ground-based observatory.
NGTS is based at the Paranal Observatory, the premier site of the European Southern Observatory (ESO) in the Atacama Desert in northern Chile.(3) NGST isn’t just one telescope -- it’s an array of twelve, small, robotic telescopes that operate at wavelengths which maximize their sensitivity to bright stars that are a bit cooler and “redder” than our Sun. Since April 2016, NGTS has spent each night monitoring the brightest stars in the sky searching for the telltale dips in the light from stars that occur as planets transit (pass in front of) their stars, and it’s enabled the discovery of planets as small as three times the size of Earth. NGTS telescopes make high-precision measurements about every 10 seconds. Computers search through NGTS observations looking for the repeated dips due to planet transits. The automated algorithms produce LOTS of possible transit events, and most of the things spotted by the computers are due to effects other than planet transits, but some of the candidates are new planet discoveries!
This is where people come into the process -- a small group of scientists within the NGTS team review the candidate transit events spotted by the computers, but they think that there might be planets that have been missed by this review process. This is why the team is asking citizen scientists to help go through the observations flagged by computers to search for planets that were missed in the first review. Even though most planets may have been found by the NGTS team, there is a chance that citizen scientists may find new ones. If you’d like to get in on the search for new exoplanets, and possibly discover one yourself, this is a great project to join! You can also still participate in Planet Hunters TESS,(4) which is searching for exoplanets in data from NASA’s Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite.
Of course, there’s more to be found than planets in the Zooniverse! Two projects launched even more recently than Planet Hunters NGTS involve transcribing ship weather logbooks from the early industrial era (Weather Rescue at Sea(5)) and searching for particles produced in the Large Hadron Collider (New Particle Search at Cern(6)). So if finding new planets isn’t your “bag,” how about discovering new physics?
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.zooniverse.org/projects?discipline=astronomy&page=1&status=live
2. https://www.zooniverse.org/projects/mschwamb/planet-hunters-ngts
3. https://ngtransits.org/
4. https://www.zooniverse.org/projects/nora-dot-eisner/planet-hunters-tess
5. https://www.zooniverse.org/projects/p-teleti/weather-rescue-at-sea
6. https://www.zooniverse.org/projects/reinforce/new-particle-search-at-cern
3. Should Christians Dump Darwin?
The Reverend Ted Peters, in addition to being a member of The Clergy Letter Project is emeritus professor of systematic theology and ethics at Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary and the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, California. He also serves as editor of Theology and Science. He’s written a fascinating essay for Public Theology entitled “Should Christians Dump Darwin?”
Of course his conclusion is a resounding NO, but his reasoning is well worth your time!
4. Speaking of Words: The Gift and Glory of Language
I’m delighted to say that I’m able to share another essay by The Reverend Ken Olson, a member of The Clergy Letter Project. This month he offers us a wonderful piece, entitled “Speaking of Words: The Gift and Glory of Language.”
As he has done with all of his essays, Ken crosses boundaries smoothly and compellingly. He weaves together theology, literature, science, politics and so much more to make incredibly important points about the power of language. While some of you might think that his topic has little to do with the main focus of The Clergy Letter Project, I remind you that creative use of language, especially the use of metaphor, MIGHT be one of the things that sets us apart from the other animals. For that reason alone, I decided that Ken’s current essay is appropriate for inclusion in the newsletter. More than that, however, Ken’s writing is simply so good that it deserves a wide readership!
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.
5. Celebrating Dr. Francis Collins
As you likely know, Dr. Francis Collins, a member of The Clergy Letter Project’s list of scientific consultants, recently announced his impending retirement from the directorship of The National Institutes of Health. His record of scientific accomplishment, of service to the public, and of helping to reconcile religion and science is astounding. He deserves our thanks and respect for all of his efforts.
While there have been a large number of articles rightfully praising his work, I thought I’d share two of them with you to provide a flavor of what’s being said. Here’s the news article from The Washington Post first announcing his intention to step down. And here’s an essay by Washington Post columnist Michael Gerson entitled “NIH’s Francis Collins, on covid, science and faith: ‘There is such a thing as truth.’”
6. Differentiating Differences
Rabbi Geoff Mitelman, a member of The Clergy Letter Project and founding director of our sister organization Sinai and Synapses, has written a provocative essay entitled “Differentiating Differences.”
To give you a flavor of his argument, I’m going to share his final paragraph:
Despite being “all the same” having been created in the image of God, we exhibit a stunning array of variations as human beings – and our challenge is to be able to say, “Even though we differ, I value who you are.” Our greater challenge is to avoid inventing differences that lead to the world’s disarray, while still embracing the inherent differences we all have, which have the potential to be “good.” And our greatest challenge is to learn from each person’s individual experience, and then to be able to say, “Because we differ, I value who you are.”
7. Sinai and Synapses Interfaith Fellowship
Following from the above item, I’m delighted to announce that Sinai and Synapses, an organization designed to bridge the worlds of religion and science, is opening the application process for their next round of Interfaith Fellowships. Fellows will become part of a network of clergy, scientists, writers and thinkers, and learn from incredible experts on questions like the ethics of technology, truth and trust in the 21st century, and the cost of being right and the benefit of being wrong in both science and religion. You can read more about the Fellowship Program here.
I encourage you to take a look at the recent issue of Electronic Journal for Research in Science & Mathematics Educationto get a flavor of some of the fascinating work that previous fellows have done. The entire issue, entitled “Sinai and Synapses Fellowship: Elevating the Discourse Between Science and Religion,” consists of 12 pieces written by previous fellows. Articles include such titles as “A Unique Way of Knowing: Children’s Conceptions of the Nature of Science and its Relationship to Religion,” “Overlapping Magisteria: Motivated Cognition and the Places Where Science and Religion Mingle,” “Reducing Scientific Skepticism,” and “Communicating Religiously and Culturally Sensitive Science Content.”
Applications for fellowships are open through November 16th. Feel free to reach out to Rabbi Geoff Mitelman (gmitelman@sinaiandsynapses.org) if you have any questions.
8. Rationality Matters
Sticking with the pattern of the last two items, here’s yet another great piece produced by Sinai and Synapses – a discussion between Rabbi Geoff Mitelman and Dr. Steven Pinker.
Here’s how the Sinai and Synapses web page describes this item:
Following the release of his new book, Rationality: What It Is, Why It Seems Scarce, Why It Matters, Pinker discussed, with Sinai and Synapses founder Rabbi Geoffrey A. Mitelman, how the seemingly rational pursuit of individual and group self-interest can lead us to lose our minds — and how we can develop collective rationality to curb such baser instincts.
9. Being Forced to Preach About Science
A recent article in Newsweek reports on an odd situation in Alberta, Canada. The article is entitled “Anti-Mask Pastor Ordered to Preach Science and Pay $23,000 Fine.” Apparently the pastor, Artur Pawloski, has regularly held church services that have violated Covid-19 restrictions. “This week, Court of Queen's Bench Justice Adam Germain ruled that in addition to probation and paying a $23,000 fine, that when preaching, Pawlowski must also note that most scientific opinions contradict what he claims."
I recognize that Canadian laws are different than those in the United States but I’m wondering what you think of this situation. While “preaching” false science is bad, should the government mandate that the scientific consensus be shared?
10. Christ Alive in the World: Root, Shoot, and Fruit
Last month I shared an essay written by Reverend Fred Reklau, a retired ELCA pastor and a member of The Clergy Letter Project, along with commentary offered by Grace Wolf-Chase and Rev. Phil Hefner.
I’m pleased to be able to share with you a piece Fred wrote in which he more deeply explores the concept of biblical inerrancy raised in that first article. Fred noted when he sent me his essay, “I thought the notion of inerrancy needed a more thorough, history-based dismantling.” I think it’s fair to say that he has ably accomplished his goal. I hope you agree.
11. Losing Your Religion... Over Science?
The Reverend Greg Cootsona, contributing editor for Science for the Church, has just published an interesting essay entitled “Losing Your Religion… Over Science?” In addition to reading his piece, you might want to check out the home page of Science for the Church and think about subscribing to their newsletter (for free).
12. Covalence for October: An Appeal for the Climate
The October issue of Covalence Magazine published by the Lutheran Alliance for Faith, Science and Technology is devoted to the issue of climate change. It has a number of interesting pieces you‘ll not want to miss.
In case you’ve not yet signed our Climate Crisis Letter, I hope this issue prods you to do so. It takes only a minute to sign on, so please simply reply (mz@theclergyletterproject.org) to this note with the following information and I’ll get you signed up.
_____ Yes, please add my signature to the Climate Crisis Letter
Your name and title:
Congregation/Denomination/Religion (optional):
City, State, Country:
13. Is God More Like Ella Fitzgerald or Ludwig van Beethoven?
Our good friends at WesleyNexus brought a recent essay by Vance Morgan to our attention. The piece is entitled “Is God More Like Ella Fitgerald or Ludwig van Beethoven?”
Their description of the piece caught my attention:
Morgan writes: John Polkinghorne, a physicist turned Anglican priest, is on to something when he speculates that “Creation is more of an improvisation than a performance of a fixed score that God wrote in eternity”. A God who is more like Ella Fitzgerald than Ludwig van Bethoven? Now that is interesting.
I’m glad to have seen it and I suspect you will be as well!
14. Virtual Paleoanthropology Field Trip to Kenya
Under the auspices of the Smithsonian’s Natural History Museum, Dr. Briana Pobiner, a member of The Clergy Letter Project’s list of scientific consultants and a paleoanthropologist working at the Smithsonian, will lead a virtual field trip to her field site in Ol Pejeta Conservancy, Kenya. The Smithsonian notes that “She’ll share images from this active field site to walk students through what kind of evidence her team is looking for and how it’s discovered, introduce the students to the team of experts that make discoveries possible, and illustrate what it’s like to live, sleep, and eat while doing field work.”
The free Zoom webinar, designed for students in grades 6-12 but, I’m confident educational for everyone, will take place on Thursday, 28 October from 1-2 pm Eastern time. You can learn more about the event and register to attend by clicking here.
Concluding Thoughts
These are certainly trying times, both politically and medically. And it is a very sad state of affairs how those two have been tied together in so many unhealthy ways. All of this has led me to believe, more than ever, that the goal of The Clergy Letter Project of demonstrating that religion and science can work comfortably together in a search for truth, for a better, fuller understanding of the world in which we live, for ways to improve the environment, and the lives of those among us most in need remain critically important. As Francis Collins was quoted as saying in the op-ed piece referenced in item five above, “There is such a thing as truth.” Individuals interested in both religion and science can and should recognize this and no one should be deterred by what that truth may be.
The good news on the pandemic front is that just yesterday I saw a report that there is currently enough vaccine to inoculate every person on the planet – if only two other things were true: that everyone wanted to be inoculated; and that we had the will to distribute available doses where they are most needed. I know from conversations with many of you that you are working on these issues and for that I am thankful!
I hope you, all those you care about, and all those with whom you interact remain safe and healthy.
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