Controversy concerning religion versus theories of evolution (biological and cosmological) is especially prevalent in the South.  This particular episode started when a local Church of Christ preacher, Bob Harris, stated in a televised sermon that "evolutionism" was the equivalent of atheism.  As a biologist, I accept evolution as scientific fact, and I'm also Roman Catholic.  Most of my fellow science colleagues are also "evolutionists" and are members of other Christian denominations.  For the most part, this debate has little to do with science, but with whether one believes in a literal interpretation of the Biblical story of creation.  The following links lead to reprints of my letters and the replies of others.  The reprints are copyrighted by the Batesville Daily Guard, and are used with permission.

• 20 May 2003: David Thomas
• 28 May 2003: Bob Harris
• 29 May 2003: David Thomas
• 30 May 2003: David Pace
• 2 June 2003: Cheryl Lichti
• 3 June 2003: Bob Harris
• 4 June 2003: Kenneth Kelley, David Thomas (two letters)
• 5 June 2003: David Stricklin (commentary)
• 6 June 2003: E. W. Belcher
• 9 June 2003: Arnold Vernon
• 10 June 2003: David Pace
• 11 June 2003: David Thomas, Bob Harris, Glen Schoon (three letters), Angelia Roberts (EDITORial commentary)
• 12 June 2003: Lewis Hirschy, Blake Watkins (two letters, and the end of the series).
• 19 June 2003: Sally Browder (commentary)

• American Association for the Advancement of Science
• Bible Gateway (16 online versions of the Protestant Bible)
• New American Bible (online Catholic Bible)
• The Lamb's Way (includes "creation science" resources)
• National Academy Sciences, Science and creationism
• National Science Teachers Association
• National Center for Science Education (includes the "Steve List")
• Reasons to Believe (an attempt to reconcile science with Christian faith)
• Scientists and their religions.  The Scientist, 19 May 2003
• Statements in support of evolution by religious organizations