MCNTalk believes in the scientific process. It is a process to arrive at truth. It is not anti-religion, but rather can and often does exist in parallel with faith. Faith does not and cannot supplant or replace science. And faith is not a substitute or alternative for science – or vice versa. And scientific inquiry — and its conclusions — is not governed by majority vote or party rule. At times data can offend those who find that their beliefs or economic interests are challenged.

These three related articles from The New York Times (“Welcome to the Age of Denial,” “Eugene C. Scott Fights the Teaching of Creationism in Schools,” and “Young and Against Bad Science“) address scientific ignorance and the attempts by some, including politicians and schools, to suppress scientific inquiry and punish those who disobey. This is not a small matter when for example it leads to vaccination deniers endangering their children and communities based upon bad science or no science at all. Or those whose political agendas conflict with evidence of global warming. The list goes on.

Scientific literacy, like math and language skills, is an essential component of basic education, regardless of the ultimate career path chosen.