Clergy Letter Project Adds Buddhists to List of Clergy Asking that Evolution be Taught in Public Schools
Posted by mattusmaximus on September 3, 2012
In a welcome bit of science education news, the Clergy Letter Project has announced that it is expanding its effort to include Buddhist clergy. In case you don’t know, this is an effort to get clergy men and women to speak out publicly in support of teaching science (specifically, evolutionary science) in the public schools. These clergy do not see any conflict between their religious beliefs and science, and I think it is an excellent way to counter the blatantly anti-scientific arguments espoused by many creationists. Read on for more info…
American Buddhists join the Clergy Letter Project asking for the teaching of Evolution in public schools
Clergy who want science, including Evolution in schools, created the Clergy Letter Project and the chosen theme for this years “Evolution Weekend” is “Religion and Science” and marks the seventh year for the gathering of clergy to discuss science.
“Evolution Weekend is an opportunity for serious discussion and reflection on the relationship between religion and science. An ongoing goal has been to elevate the quality of the discussion on this critical topic, and to show that religion and science are not adversaries. Rather, they look at the natural world from quite different perspectives and ask, and answer, different questions.
Religious people from many diverse faith traditions and locations around the world understand that evolution is quite simply sound science; and for them, it does not in any way threaten, demean, or diminish their faith in God. In fact, for many, the wonders of science often enhance and deepen their awe and gratitude towards God.”
They believe that modern science, including Evolution, and religion are in harmony with each other.
To that end, American Buddhist clergy join in the voices of Christian, Jewish, Unitarian Universalist clergy in writing letters supporting the teaching of Evolutions in public schools. …
The Skeptical Teacher 
Woody said
In my thoughts and comments, religion usually means fundamentalist closed-minded religion, likely because it is the views of those fundamentalist folks that are given to us via the ever-present media on a fairly regular basis.
Thoughts and solutions from good, decent, responsible moderates rarely reach us and it’s great to hear them speaking on this subject, especially when the subject is about what is taught to children in school, something I care about greatly.
Because i’ve just realised how unfair and scattering my style is when I comment on ‘religion’, I will try to be more precise when aiming my arrows in the future.
Thanks for helping, skeptical teacher.
Great Ape Thoughts said
It’s great to see that open minded individuals are coming out to show support for rational thinking. To paraphrase Woody above me, it does seem like the fundimental and extremist side of religion is making their voice heard over that of rational people. I’m glad that this trend is slowly being reversed. Great post.