Hi Kevin,

Sam Harris takes on the evolution doubters in his brilliantly concise book, "Letter To A Christian Nation."

This is from page 69:

"Christians who doubt the truth of evolution are apt to say things like "Evolution is just a theory, not a fact." Such statements betray a serious misunderstanding of the way the term "theory" is used in scientific discourse. In science, facts must be explained in reference to other facts. These larger explanatory models are "theories." Theories make predictions and can, in principle, be tested. The phrase "the theory of evolution" does not in the least suggest that evolution is not a fact. One can speak about "the germ theory of disease" or "the theory of gravitation" without casting doubt upon disease or gravity as facts of nature."

I am not educated in the sciences, Kevin. Like many subjects, I defer to the experts. It is clear that 99.9% of the best minds in science firmly believe in evolution by natural selection. We didn't originate in the Garden of Eden and each year, discoveries made throughout the world only add to the evidence. The Bible is chock full of innumerable lies, errors, and alterations. I would urge you to read "Misquoting Jesus-The Story Behind Who Changed The Bible and Why" by Bart Ehrman. As a young man, he too was a literalist. He learned to read Hebrew and Greek in order to better research the origins of the Bible. He now chairs the Department of Religious Studies at UNC Chapel Hill. Please, Kevin, pick up the book, I'm sure Amazon has it used at a very fair price. Ehrman is a recognized biblical scholar of the first order.

Peter T.