In 1604, Galileo determined, from his work in astronomy and physics, that the Earth revolved around the sun. The Christian church believed that this was heresy. In 1633, the church put Galileo on trial under the threat of excommunication, torture and even execution. Bending to this extreme pressure, Galileo publicly denied what he knew was scientifically correct.

Astonishingly, we face the same kind of faith-based attack on scientific discoveries in the 21st Century from Gov. Palin and the right wing of the Republican party. This segment of the population believes in the “literal” interpretation of Biblical creation. They believe that the world is only a few thousand years old and the sciences of astronomy, physics, chemistry, geology and biology are incorrect in their clear experimental findings that demonstrate the Earth is hundreds of millions of years old. Faith based believers may hold to their beliefs that completely contradict experimental science, but they should not push to require other citizens to accept their conclusions.

As was the case with Galileo, Sarah Palin and the Republican right wing don’t want scientific finding to interfere with their faith-based beliefs about the origin of life and the age of the universe. They have tried to impose their thinking on science departments in public schools and colleges. This attitude is not only scientifically incorrect and educationally limiting for our students, but also has serious consequences for the future of our country’s scientific leadership and our ability to compete in a global economy. Science will never answer certain questions, but to ignore facts that have been scientifically demonstrated, will figuratively risk keeping our ships in the harbor for fear they will sail off the edge of the Earth.

Dr. Hugh Tyson

North Bend