Permit me to contribute to the cascade of letters you've no doubt received over your November cover story. I recall this very sort of flame war developing from the pages of Omni Magazine (ca. 1988) between creationists and evolutionists.
1. Just as science alone does not equal reason, religion alone does not equal faith. History teaches us that all human belief systems eventually fail and - well - evolve. Some would argue that science is merely an intricate, albeit reproducible, belief system.
2. Scientists have been proven painfully wrong (Swine Flu) and heroically correct (H. pylori) during my lifetime. Can we not allow the faithful among us an occasional lapse of consistency as our species learns more about the universe?
3. Dawkins and Gould will always be remembered as towering scientific intellects of our time. It's tragic to read of Dawkins grouping - then collectively dismissing - every deist belief as primitive and unprovable. We don't hear the Pope bitching about shaky cold fusion experiments...
4. Science still can't explain how aspirin works, but gets high marks on describing the phenomenon. Faith explains much about how life works, but not aspirin. So when life gives me a headache, I ingest this mystery pill and ignore both.
Is there no room left for rational compromise on 2006 Earth?
Note to editor: Brilliant issue overall. That particular Omni story was during their apex as a viable magazine property. Please assure me that Wired will continue to thrive for many years to come!
John ThorntonAustin, TX
