LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Teach Evolution And

Intelligent Design

To believe or not to believe. This will always be a question of faith for mankind.

The trend to teach the Theory of Evolution is wise but there should be a balance between science and what many believe as the creation of all living things. There is merit in the use of the Scientific Method that has shown how, through the ages, there are species that evolved from sea life to land creatures.

Paleontologists have shown that fossils from eons ago suggest a relationship of what was on Earth then and what inhabits our lands and seas today. In most cases, the similarities show a connection to present day living things, including bipeds. I can't say with any certainty that prehistoric apes are of our ancestry, although this is generally seen as the evolution of man.

On the other hand, there are those who believe in a Supreme Creator, known as God, The Lord, Allah, Jehovah and Yahweh, among other deities. Various interpretations of the Bible might suggest the Tower of Babel has more to do with conflicting religious beliefs than the thought that the divide of cultures was separated with multiple languages. Differing religions offer their own translation of the Bible creating divisive ideologies. Through all of time this has lead to wars, including the current extremist actions of some Islamic and Muslim followers. At times, there is little compromise.

There will always be debates on the rationale of the creation of man and civilizations on Earth. This is where educational teachings can bring together minds and thoughts toward enlightenment on our existence.

It is difficult to understand the hesitation of the scientific community to accept the idea that at some point there was the Creation of time and space (the concept of the Big Bang theory) yet that, as time has progressed, the outward expanse of the universe suggests a force brought to light galaxies, suns, planets, moons and life. There is no proof, but there is the feasibility of other forms of life in the universe, some of which surely would be prescient beings, as we are. There would be more advanced societies, others less so.

My belief stands firm with the thought that there has been the evolution of all earthly creatures from insects to viruses to animals and man. As others have suggested, I also believe that there was a time when all became into existence by what could be called a Supreme Presence. Perhaps all of creation through the universe was made by His design; it is a small-minded, arrogant idea that intelligent beings are strictly limited to this planet.

Intelligent Design fits very well, even though it sounds much too formal a term. This would be in line that man was created in His image where intelligence gives us a means to grow in spirit and knowledge even though we may never "evolve" to His level of knowing.

This thought would be in line with science and religion; there was a beginning and through the process of time and space the origins of life became a progression of growth and expansion of all things of creation. There is ample reason for each corner of belief to be in harmony with the other. Each should be taught in the classroom. Students would be given a balanced view of life where rational thought can provide dialogues of debate, thus an evolvement of the mind.

Man is not to worship false prophets nor worship images of His design.

Personally, I worship the sun for sustaining our lives. I worship all of nature that my Creator provided toward an understanding of my existence in this concept of life. My belief gives revelation to all that He created. These are my sole beliefs; it is the belief in my soul.

Ron Rae

Spring Hill

Forgetting The Expensive

Lessons Of History

I want to thank you for publishing an account of the war, Iraq and Afghanistan, by Ted Rall.

I used to send press for the U.N. before the building was finished in New York City. I worked for an Iranian, Morad Aryeh, who was Jewish. I did his import and export correspondence. The Shah just came back into power after disposing Mosandiek. I had the opportunity to go to Iran, but I declined the offer. Between Aryeh and the U.N., I met a great many near Easterners.

When we see photos of Bin Laden, he is always dressed in white. In that mud hole Afghanistan, we see no facilities for bathing or keeping clothes snow white. I always suspected that Bin Laden and his cohorts were in Pakistan. When the president of Pakistan visits Bush, our president should understand that even if Bin Laden was hiding in his country because of their vows to secrecy, these people will never tell or even admit Bin Laden is there.

When I was employed at Cornell, New York Hospital, I worked with a young woman. She was originally from Texas and had married an Afghanistani who was being taught how to fly by our Air Force; and in a short time, she and her husband were going back to Kabul. Six months later, she was back; a horrible experience.

She told me Kabul had one paved road in the middle of the city. Now, they probably have two; the last one paid by us.

Those of us who have a little more knowledge than the average individual know that Saudi Arabia and Egypt were behind the Sept. 11 attack. In Saudi Arabia is the royal family that Bush is super friendly with.

I'm a little nervous about people running for election, either side that has almost no knowledge at all what the near-East is comprised of and how their actions reflect upon us. Some out there should do their homework.

Having Oprah behind you is very nice, but is not the answer to a maiden's prayer. We got involved in police actions, as they were called, with Korea and Vietnam. Did we win? Better yet, what was there to win? Ask the Russians and the English with reference to Afghanistan. You cannot impose democracy via military action on people still practicing tribal loyalties. Lawrence of Arabia found that out and when he attempted to sway England on another path, was ignored. Shame.

With $3 trillion in debt, can this country afford anymore hooplas?

I don't think so.

Helga Curtis

Brooksville