billy-g-article.pdf

Dear (Name of Professor),

I am the husband of UCSF Nursing Masters student Sarah Cerrona. Last Tuesday, April 10 you gave a lecture in her pharmacology class regarding pediatric pharmacokinetics. Sarah told me that she learned a lot from your lecture, and that it was interesting and engaging. She told me that you spoke of the fact that different people absorb drugs differently, and that this can be attributed to various evolutionary mutations that have occurred over time. In a mocking tone and sentence structure, you went on to say that one could also contribute it to creationism…if you’re that dull witted (this was implied, not necessarily said).

We are Christians and we happen to believe in intelligent design, a.k.a. Creationism. Sarah often talks about the things she learns as well as the usually minor challenges she faces from day to day. One re-occurring challenge is that of feeling rather ashamed of, and ostracized for her beliefs in the God of the Bible and intelligent design theory. It is difficult for us to understand how many cultures of higher learning, especially in the city of San Francisco, can call themselves open minded when they so easily and openly criticize and denigrate intelligent design theory or other beliefs that they don’t agree with.

I am not writing this e-mail to try to persuade you of the historicity of the Bible, or the scientific and logical arguments for intelligent design. But please at least consider the thought that both beliefs are theories, cannot be proved scientifically, and each require faith. Creationist views seem preposterous to evolutionists, and visa versa.

I would like to request that you try to be more sensitive to the other’s beliefs when the topic of evolution/creationism comes up in one of your lectures. When one is in a group of people who you think believe the same thing, it is very tempting to criticize the “opposing” group’s point of view. I’m sad to say that Christians do this quite often. There happens to be several Christians in Sarah’s peer group at UCSF, and there are many intelligent scientists, doctors, political leaders, etc. throughout the world who believe in intelligent design. I think both sides need to try to speak fairly of the other behind their back, and not dismiss the other’s views as ridiculous, illogical, or un-scientific.

Thank you for taking the time to read this, and thank for your many contributions to pharmacy practice, and investments in so many students and patient’s lives.

Are we living in view of God’s promises for us?

Do  we know what His promises are?

Are our action, thoughts, and words influenced by our knowledge of and hope in His promises?

Where are we substituting our own temporary or false hopes?