Editor’s note: To see the columnist’s response to this letter, click here.

Dear Pastor Norm,

I am a very patient and tolerant person, and very rarely do I find the need to bother others with my opinion. However, last Saturday, Aug. 13, an article was written titled “Christians don’t believe in science?” and it really rubbed me the wrong way for a couple of reasons.

Firstly, to clarify a few things, I am a strong follower of Christ, and I am an active member of Rosemont Baptist Church. Additionally, I am a firm believer in intelligent creation, but we differ on the process of creation. I am thankful for our First Amendment rights of free speech, and I recognize that your argument against evolution is no doubt a testament to your own faith. Although, I find some particular falsehoods in your article.

Specifically, in your second paragraph, you claim that evolution is not an “established science.” Wow, that is quite a claim. Unfortunately, it is untrue. Whether you believe in it or not, evolutionary studies are just as established now as theology is on campuses across the nation.

Additionally, you go on to say that there is “… not one single piece of definitive evidence for the ‘theory’ of evolution at all!” I’m sorry sir, but this, again, is untrue.

I’m not sure if you’re familiar with the scientific method at all, but to become a theory, an idea must have an extremely large amount of evidence to support it. If this doesn’t help you to understand, let’s look at some modern day evolution: Bacteria.

You can notice that there are more and more articles in the news these days about antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Well, these resistant bacteria are an example of evolution at work. The bacteria that survive antibiotics go on and reproduce. These new bacteria babies are now more resistant.

This process continues until suddenly our antibiotics are useless against these bacteria. These bacteria have evolved ever so quickly since the first antibiotic, Penicillin, was first discovered in 1928.

To continue, you also use data from two sources that I may recommend you never use again. First of all, “Doctor” Thomas G. Barnes was given an honorary doctorate from Hardin-Simmons University.

Secondly, you are using a a study from a man who is most famous for claiming that Earth’s magnetic field is constantly degrading, and he also believes that Einstein’s theory of relativity is false. Without Einstein’s theory, the other study you cite wouldn’t matter.

Speaking of the other study you cite, it has long since been proven as false since its publication. This is regardless of the inaccurate data taken from the 1600s used in the study. Also, let’s assume the study is true. You notice the sun is shrinking at a noticeable rate. That’s like looking at the sea tide receding and saying it’s always done that.

In conclusion, I really wish someone would have fact-checked your article for you. I say that not to be rude, but I say that because the more I research into your “evidence,” the less it holds up.

This letter was not meant to be in any way, shape or form an attack, and I just wanted to alert you to your use of weak sources when trying to make a valid point. I wish you all the best, and I hope this can lead to some civilized discussion between the two of us.

Your brother in Christ,

Harrison Lawson

LaGrange