Religion vs. science
The Rev. Michael Penfield favors a respectful discussion of all religions in the classroom (Spiritual Life, Jan. 11). I wonder if Rev. Penfield would also support instruction on the scientific method as part of Sunday School and church services?
The reverend opines that education “should broaden a student’s mind, which means discussing all religions with respect and understanding.” The reverend’s position has some validity. However, the principal purpose of a secular education is to teach students how to read, write and think rationally, objectively.
If a student has learned to think critically, he or she might question what the Reverend perceives as Truth. Take, for example, Genesis I and Genesis II from the Bible. These are but examples of thousands upon thousands of contradictions and inconsistencies in the Old and New Testaments. Ultimate Truth should be made of sterner stuff.
Religion claims to have ultimate truth. Science is a process, a method, by which the knowable unknown can be known.
Where science has a void, religious thinkers love to seize that moment and erroneously claim that, by default, the answer is God.
Evolution does not try to explain how life began, or how the universe came to be. Evolution concerns itself with how different species come to be. The process involves genetic mutation. A simple example of this is among primates. Monkeys and humans, as well as apes and chimpanzees are all primates. However, monkeys do not possess an appendix, whereas humans, apes and chimpanzees do.
What is the rational, logical inference to be drawn from this? That God made us different, or that all being primates implies a common ancestor? That monkeys do not have an appendix while humans, apes and chimpanzees do implies a division in the family tree before the gain, or loss, of an appendix in the species. No, we didn’t evolve from apes or monkeys, but rather from an ancestor common to all of us. In fact, we humans have more in common genetically with chimpanzees than chimpanzees do with apes. One won’t learn this at Sunday School.
The final question is: why should we respect a method of thinking that is full of superstition and fear? One can be a compassionate, loving, caring human being without belief in the supernatural.
Richard Sutherland
Los Altos
What? Me take bribes?
We have but another bribery scandal. Which one? Washington? San Jose? Mountain View? Take your pick from those or the many others. One problem is that many politicians rationalize taking bribes.
Maybe they don’t know what a bribe is? So, drawing on my many years as a manager of purchasing departments I’ll tell them what I told my buyers. If someone offers you something they wouldn’t offer to everybody else, it’s a bribe.
Oh, you don’t mean like a luxury box seat at Shoreline? Those free lunches? That little Christmas gift?
What about those “moon cakes” the guy was handing out in the San Jose council offices? He didn’t offer me any. If I saw him walking along and asked him for moon cakes, do you think he would give me one?
There is nothing wrong with special-interest groups that lobby – that is our constitutional right of association and to petition the government. I formed one myself today. But it is wrong to accept favors or money in return for an audience.
Right and wrong. We used to know the difference.
Dick Baker
Los Altos
Dangerous trees
Judy Anderson’s letter was far more accurate than the article about the danger of eucalyptus trees during a winter storm.
If one took a drive or walk through the Hills after the storm, almost all the tree and property damage was from eucalyptus trees, and with this storm, branches falling and trees splitting were frequent problems.
The Sunday of the tragic accident of the cyclist, my wife said, “Let’s walk before the rains come back.” We walk from Fremont up to Elena and sometimes up to the Altamont area.
I said no. With the wet trees and wind, it was too dangerous.
Having worked in logging camps when I was younger, the wet and windy weather was a known danger with increases in branches falling or breaking, which we called widow makers, or wind falls or uprooting of trees.
In such conditions, we went back to camp to await a change in the weather.
Eric Saltzman’s comments about the odds (of a eucalyptus tree falling and killing a cyclist) being phenomenally low should be qualified with the statement that during such storms the risks are significantly increased.
Experience should teach that in such weather selecting alternative routes provides the same workout but far less danger.
Brian Paaso
Los Altos Hills
Thanks for the trees
City of Los Altos Public Works supervisor Doug Riley and department head Brian McCarthy deserve thanks and kudos for their professionalism and their quick response to me, by planting replacement trees across the street from my Fremont Avenue home.
After an established pine tree had to be removed, I was concerned because what remained was an offensive and stark view of Foothill Expressway.
In November, I shared my concern with Mr. Riley and Mr. McCarthy. They told me they would try to put in new trees by mid-December. They kept their word.
I am so grateful to them for taking the time to listen to me, and to respond so quickly.
When I pull out of my driveway now, and I see those beautiful liquid ambers happily sitting in their new environment, I think of these two wonderful men and say, “Thank you!” The Los Altos community is fortunate to have you!
Lil Beltramo
Los Altos
