Defends religion against an outspoken critic

In the Thousand Oaks Acorn March 8 article "Evolution versus creationism under the microscope again," Moorpark physics teacher Clint Harper was quoted: "Fossil records prove that evolution is true. When comparing science to religion, I tell my students religion gave you 9/11, takes your money every Sunday and wastes part of your weekend. Science gave you antibiotics, iPods and cellphones. Take your pick."

As a scientist, Mr. Harper may be aware that science has also hypothesized that iPods may cause deafness and cellphones brain cancer. It would be hard to choose between either ailment.

It's well established that science is also demonstrating that antibiotics are losing their punch.

Perhaps we may need divine intervention if we are to survive. Recorded history- - unlike the fossils that prove the truth of evolution for Mr. Harper- - has demonstrated that religion has made a tremendous impact on every society in this world and especially here in the United States, which is the greatest nation of all, in my opinion.

Many of our basic laws are based on the Ten Commandments and other values and principles found in the Bible; hence murder, bearing false witness and theft are crimes in most societies.

Early public schools in this country used the Bible to teach students to read; many great minds would have been left blank without it- - perhaps even those scientists who invented antibiotics.

The early pilgrims came to this country to practice their religion. Religion definitely played a part in the organization and establishment of our great nation.

Most of the founders of this nation were men who worshiped God, and hence the original Constitution was founded upon religious principles.

Our modern calendar is based on the life and death of Jesus Christ. Our seven-day week and sabbath (weekend) was based on the creation of the world- - God created the world in six days and rested on the seventh. God sent down a command to rest on the seventh day.

Religion has also given us many great role models and leaders, among them Mother Teresa of Calcutta and the Rev. Martin Luther King.

Many religious institutions have used the tithes and money given to them every sabbath day for humanitarian causes.

Recently billions of those dollars were used to help victims and families who suffered devastation from the tsunami, 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina.

I've been taking my five children to church for 23 years now and will continue to do so. So far the results have paid off. Many enjoy giving time and money for the good causes our religious organizations contribute to. Lives and families have been enriched and helped by the associations and support given by religious groups.

I'm sure I'm not alone when I voice my disdain at Harper's shallow view of the impacts that religion has made in our world and in the lives of the majority. Helen Taylor Thousand Oaks