Letters to the Editor

To equate "natural selection" with evolution per se demonstrates either disingenuous or ignorance on the part of Mr. Helms (Jan. 17 letter). Natural Selection is not what is being taught in the public schools today. What is being taught is straight-line evolution, not as a theory, but as scientific fact. This teaching of theory as fact continues in spite of the gaps in the fossil record. One of the tenets of evolution is that birds evolved from reptiles. If this is true, there should be, literally, hundreds of fossil remains of snakes and lizards with wings or wing buds attached.

Consider peer review. It is not the Intelligent Design proponents whose work needs "peer reviewing" (presumably at the hands of die-hard evolutionists). What needs to be reviewed is the faulty science of evolution.

The failure of the scientific community to hold this theory to the same rigorous standards as any other scientific theory is unique to evolution alone.

Mathematicians, upon reviewing the exquisite complexity of the human cell, have come to the conclusion that the odds of the human cell arising spontaneously are a billion-to-one. In other words, an impossibility. Common sense dictates that if one finds a highly intricate watch he should at least consider the fact that there had to be a watchmaker. This question alone is all that proponents of Intelligent Design ask the scientific community to consider.

Evolutionists dictate that its believers make a leap of faith to the effect that Man evolved from slime-pool bacteria to Nobel Prize winner by evolution alone. I do not believe this and never have. Based on empirical science, the Theory of Evolution fails to meet any objective standard of proof. Christians should demand that it stopped being taught in the public schools as fact.

As another musician, please give my thanks to Larry Stracener for his timely letter regarding church music. I agree that the great hymns that have already stood the test of time inspire genuine worship and create an atmosphere of reverence and holiness that is sometimes missing.

Thank you, Larry, for stating so eloquently the prevailing views of many faithful, church-attending Christians.

Allow me to exclaim a hearty "Amen" to "A musician's musings" by Larry Stracener in the Jan. 17, 2008, edition of the Florida Baptist Witness. Our rich heritage in Godly hymnology is being lost by a generation raised in the rock band era. The exhilarating peal of the mixtures rising over the diapasons of the mighty church organ always thrills my heart and raises me to heights of worship and praise not otherwise attained. While I realize we must move with the times and continue to attract generation Y to the claims of the Gospel, the church also has a responsibility to edify its saints with "the old,old story" so beautifully expressed in our awesome hymnology. May we continue to glorify God with the Psaltery.

In response to the search for a candidate who would clean up the cesspool that exists in Washington, I have this answer: Rev. Mike Huckabee—former Governor of Arkansas. You don't have to take my word for it. Visit www.mikehuckabee.com and learn why Governor Huckabee is the clear Christian choice in this year's presidential election. Baptists and all Christians CAN make a difference this year by voting for Mike Huckabee. Being one week before Super Tuesday, our Florida primary result will be a very powerful statement to the entire nation—so do your research on Governor Huckabee and don't forget to vote!

It's time you grandparents got involved in the evangelism of our young people. If possible, take the little ones to Sunday School—your grandchildren or little neighbors. Ask the teenagers to drive you to church. If you live at a distance from the grandchildren, don't send them gifts of money. Send them Bible story books suitable for their age level. Too many parents today are neglecting the spiritual education of the children. At school religion is forbidden fruit.

One lady get involved with the children in her condo - she called it condo evangelism. In a year's time she had brought 18 people to church. Some parents came to see what kind of place their children were so attached to. Try: "No preaching, just reaching."

P.S. I am neither a grandparent nor a Baptist. However, I'm full of advice.