Letter: When Did We Stop Believing In Science?

To the editor:

On Saturday, tens of thousands of scientists took part in a National Rally for Science. The march was held in Washington, D.C. and cities across our nation.

I am in disbelief that this event is necessary. Why the objectivity of science and the start of The Renaissance, which began in Florence, Italy at about 1450, that has brought us so many scientific inventions both in everyday creature comfort and medicine is under attack. The scientific principle of a theory to be proven by repetition and measurability is a call to reason. We can't permit DaVinci, Newton, Galileo, Franklin, Ford, Edison, Einstein, Pasteur and many more to be thrown under the bus.

Are the dark ages returning? Will the N.S.A. soon be burning witches and warlocks at the stake? What is motivating so many people to reject objective thought? This closed-minded outlook is motivated by religious fanatics and the closed mindedness of our present administration's desire for their support. According to Bill Moyers, 81 percent of white, born-again evangelicals voted for President Donald Trump. If you don't believe in science, then should you have chest pain, don't call 911, but do call your witchdoctor.

Scientist Neil deGrasse Tyson sees the attack on science as an attack on our democracy. He believes, as did President Thomas Jefferson, that a literate and well-informed citizenry as essential in the democratic process. We can accept our religion beliefs, knowing that mankind is not all-knowing, and also accept tested knowledge, which is a drive to know more.

Stephen Palmino
Wayne, NJ

The writer is president of the Wayne Democratic Club

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