[asa] A request of former YECs

Dear Colleagues,

I am writing for information about any readers on this list who once held to young earth creationism but have since abandoned it. Some of you I already know about and have read your stories (e.g., Glenn Morton), or I have already contacted you with this request. For the rest, here is the matter.

I am writing an annotated essay on Young Earth Creationism that will go on my "Science and Faith" web site (http://community.berea.edu/scienceandfaith/). The essay is addressed primarily to students at Berea College, a private, independent college that is non-sectarian but committed to the cause of Christ. About 3/4 of the students come from evangelical and fundamental traditions, and I write with them in mind. Many of you familiar with the essays already completed know that I regularly cite the writings of ASA members, for I want my student readers to realize that sound science and Christian faith can go hand in hand. I know from the many years I taught at Berea prior to my retirement that most of the students hold to some form of scrict creationism, so I want to approach the topic in a way that will capture their interest. Several of you have been helpful in the past by suggesting topics that you think are important to include in such an essay, for which I have been grateful.

This request is related but different. You are aware that often YEC literature will contain anecdotal testimony or stories of former evolutionists who became YEC. Toward the end of my essay, I want to reverse the testimony. I would like to cite specific instances of observant Christians in the sciences holding a high view of Scripture who once were YECs but gave it up. For that purpose I'm writing to ask any of you who fit that description if you would be willing to share some information that I might possibly use in the essay. What I would ask for is the following:
    Name and church affiliation
    Field of science and graduate degrees or graduate study
    A brief statement why you came to abandon strict creationism for another understanding of creation.
    If you have a web site: its name and URL.
    Indicate if you are a member or associate member of ASA

Since I am constrained by length, the information derived from your contributions in the essay would be brief if used there; but there is a "Resources" section in which I could include more information and a link to your URL if you have a site.

Please reply directly to my email address off line.

Thanks for your consideration.
Grace and peace,
Bob Schneider
  
Robert J. Schneider
187 Sierra Vista
Boone, NC, 28607
828-264-4071

"Science and Faith: perspectives on Christianity and science"
http://community.berea.edu/scienceandfaith/
"A Catechism of Creation"
www.episcopalchurch.org/science/
"Truth is born into this world only with pangs and tribulations, and every fresh truth is received unwillingly. To expect the world to receive a new truth, or even an old truth, without challenging it, is to look for one of those miracles which do not occur" (from an interview of Alfred Russell Wallace published posthumously in 1913).

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Received on Fri Mar 9 15:32:48 2007