WE’VE WRITTEN BEFORE about The Clergy Letter Project, a strong, pro-evolution statement signed by over 11,000 Christian clergymen. There’s also a Wikipedia article on the topic: Clergy Letter Project. The Project drives creationists crazy (well, increasingly so) because creationists like to claim that one can’t be a good Christian and also accept evolution.
Except for the ever-growing number of signers, it’s difficult to imagine that there would be actual news about this fine project — but there seems to be. Eugenie Scott’s National Center for Science Education reports this: The Clergy Letter Project seeks rabbis.
Upon seeing the headline, our first thought was: “What’s going on here?” So we read a bit:
As part of its efforts to encourage and support members of the clergy who acknowledge the scientific importance of evolution, the Clergy Letter Project is now asking rabbis to sign its open letter concerning religion and science.
The letter begins, “As rabbis from various branches of Judaism, we the undersigned, urge public school boards to affirm their commitment to the teaching of the science of evolution,” and observes, “It is possible to be inspired by the religious teachings of the Bible while not taking a literalist approach and while accepting the validity of science including the foundational concept of evolution. It is not the role of public schools to indoctrinate students with specific religious beliefs but rather to educate them in the established principles of science and in other subjects of general knowledge.”
Over one hundred rabbis have endorsed the letter so far.
Fine, but still, where’s the news here? Was there an original decision by the project’s organizers to seek statements only from Christians? If so, that was probably an error, because as we’ve pointed out more than once (for example, see: Hindu Creationism, Just Like Our Own), creationism is a doctrine that can find shelter not only in some Christian denominations, but also a number of other religions. It’s really a stand-alone belief system that can — and does — exist in the complete absence of Christianity.
But there doesn’t seem to be any effort by the Clergy Project to get signatures from Muslims, or Hindus, or any of the other religions that can also harbor creationism. Why add only Jews to those already being considered?
All we can do is guess. We suspect that it’s at least partly due to Expelled — that goofy, financial flop of a movie “staring” Ben Stein. Seeing that may have raised some eyebrows at the Clergy Project, and caused them to think: “This anti-science problem is more widespread than we thought; perhaps we should broaden our efforts.”
If that’s what caused this development, we welcome it. But there’s a lot more work to be done.
The Sensuous Curmudgeon 
If you go here –
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clergy_Letter_Project –
You’ll see a comment by Zimmerman that they have had to reject Jewich, Muslim clergy etc .. that wanted to sign because the threat to teaching evolution was coming from christian fundies, he thought it only appropriate that christians only respond to other christians.
Also because that the ADL is somewhat involved now, may be the reason they are asking for those signatures.
Just a guess.
“Jewish”
(bad proof reading – bad – bad!)
I missed that explanation in Wikipedia. Ah well, it was a good excuse to take a swipe at Ben Stein’s movie.
How do you konw macro-evolution is true? I mean, what is its “smoking gun” to you?
Jeff, no one (except me) will see your comment on a thread that is more than two months old. And I don’t think anyone here wants to debate about evolution.
The Clergy Letter Project is an obvious affront to all Christians (followers of Jesus Christ – Lord of all). The heart of the undersigned can’t be in the right place (knowingly or unknowingly). Evolution is, by definition, an unguided purposeless process proposed to have created order from chaos. This theory and the God of the Bible are irreconcilable. Both can’t be true. I know the one true living God – Jesus Christ – and He has interceded on my behalf. I have recieved His grace and I am now saved from my sins. Won’t you join me as a child of the living God for eternity with Him?
In the love of Christ,
-Mel
Melvin, “witnessing” is impolite unless it is invited, and we don’t invite such behavior on this blog. Your comments — if you bother making any more — will be held for review before they’re allowed to appear.