I probably shouldn't be letting such a vitriolic letter be justified with a response, but I also cannot let Mr. Fleckenstein's letter go unchallenged. As your letter is lacking in factual content, let me ask you and others who feel the same way a few questions.

What wisdom have you that enables you to decide that all religions are "idiotic, enslaving, for the weak?" Most of the rest of humanity (believe it or not) does believe in the existence of a god or gods. Does this mean that we are all weak and enslaved? Did it ever occur to you that you might just have a false sense of strength, and that maybe you are too blind to take advantage of that which most of us are wise enough to admit? O wise sophomore, are you not aware of the religious beliefs of Copernicus, Newton, Einstein and Darwin (whom you claim has shattered our whole religion). I guess, though, that this means little to you since you probably also call the aforementioned men (who helped make your major possible!) weak and foolish.

What factual evidence do you have that the New Testament is made up of "lies?" Is your knowledge of history and archeology so profound that you can truthfully make such statements? Or are you just parroting that which you like to believe?

You say that you were raised Catholic. Does this make you an authority on Christianity? When your statements are "examined closely and scholarly," it is clear that either you didn't learn well, or that you had a really bad teacher. I have never been told that it's OK to be "oppressed, downtrodden" or that pleasure is bad. Christians are not "mindless serfs," a statement to which a number of your present and future professors will attest. In fact, many intelligent and respectable professors of this University are Christians. (Surprise!) But of course, you are so much wiser being a sophomore, and are above such foolishness.

As a scientist, an evolutionist, as one who does enjoy certain alcoholic drinks, dancing and generally having a good time, I find what you say to be dogmatic. If you are really interested in a scholarly look at my Christian beliefs and your atheistic beliefs, I am more than happy to debate you (if you have the guts). Of course, you might refuse for fear of being outwitted by a "mindless serf."

But I can think of a more valid reason for you to refuse. You see, while I fully admit that my beliefs cannot be proven to be absolutely true, you cannot prove them to be false. What you fail to see is that beliefs are not one of your astrophysics equations. They are personal and subjective. They can also be objectively examined, but not objectively judged. When you become a real scientist, you will learn how little black and white there really is out there. You will also learn to admit that you can be wrong. It is obvious that your hatred of Christianity is irrational, and is not subject to change at any time in the near future. Sir Thomas Huxley (a great defender of Darwin) once said to an archbishop who smeared evolution, "I would not be ashamed of having an ape for an ancestor, but I would be ashamed of having as an ancestor a learned man who pronounced judgment on affairs of which he knew nothing about." (My version may be in error.) Now I ask you not to judge that which you obviously know nothing about, because you only make yourself look like a fool.