Des Moines Register
06-27-07
Atheism is not about removing the right to religion
A June 16 letter, "Is Atheism Iowa's New Direction?" makes it clear some people
are still misunderstanding a couple of recent events.
Guillermo Gonzalez was certainly not denied tenure because he believes in
God (intelligent design). The whole intelligent-design debate, including
Gonzalez's denial of tenure goes to the question of whether intelligent design is
or is not science.
According to an overwhelming majority of scientists, it is not. Therefore, a person
in a science department doing research on, and publishing about, intelligent
design is inappropriate. If Gonzalez would like to get another degree in
philosophy or religion and apply for tenure in one of those departments, I am
sure his publications on intelligent design would be more than welcome. In the
astronomy department, his personal beliefs are irrelevant until he claims they are
science.
Another example: The Iowa Legislature defunding a religious program that has
been declared unconstitutional says nothing about whether religion is appropriate
in the prison system. The Prison Fellowship Ministries program is not appropriate
to fund with public money, nor is it appropriate to require participation in a
religious program for certain privileges while incarcerated.
Religion is a fine path for one to choose; however, it is not for the state to show
you that path. Chaplains and the clergy have always been welcome in the prison
system, as they should be. But all clergy need to be equally welcome regardless
of denomination. The state has no place influencing anyone's choice to
participate in religious activities or not.
As a group, atheists battle harder than anyone for your right to practice your
religion; most everyone else is fighting for your right to practice their religion. As
an atheist myself, I can only hope that our state, our country, our planet, are
headed toward atheism. It would definitely be a more peaceful place.
- Kyle Bailey,
Des Moines.