Letter to Editor - 1996

August 29, 1996, Thursday, Final Edition

SECTION: OP-ED; Pg. A22; LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

LENGTH: 504 words

HEADLINE: Meteorites, Cosmology and God

BODY:
J. S. White ["The Martian Meteorite," letters, Aug. 18] writes that if the meteorite shows "that life is not unique to this planet, it will require an immense level of self-centered arrogance to continue to believe that a god who created the universe has any particular interest in us either individually or as [the human] race."

Only a person of finite thinking would have difficulty imagining an infinite God's interest in infinite life forms in an infinite universe.

PAMELA GALITO
Oxon Hill




When my anti-religious friend used to ask me, "Why do you go to synagogue?" I always answered, "Because they pay me to." I gave this humorous answer because I knew my friend was just looking for a fight. More important, I knew that at that point in his life, he could not appreciate the fellowship, mystery and joy that I get from religious worship.

J. S. White obviously does not care for religion. But I think he overlooks the fact that people don't show up at churches, synagogues or mosques because of the logical perfection of theologians. They show up because it is a compelling part of their lives.

LEN DAVIDSON
Bethesda




What exactly is the difference between believing that God knows personally and is personally interested in every Earthian and the belief that God knows personally and may be personally interested in every being everywhere? God is by definition unlimited. At any rate, that's what I have learned in seven years of Catholic theology.

I am reminded of a teacher of mine (before World War II, in another country) who was making fun of a classmate's belief that God might protect him. Said the teacher: "What kind of a head would God have to have to watch over every kid? There's 3 billion people on the planet!" Now, of course, even the very limited man-made machines called computers are approaching such a capability.

Our concept of God has been expanding over thousands of years, and every believer's concept of God should keep expanding, for "God is always greater."

SVATO SCHUTZNER
Washington




I agree completely with J. S. White except for the letter's last sentence, which says, sarcastically, that knowledge of the meteorite "may indeed 'expand our concept of God' -- much like the Hindenburg disaster expanded our concept of lighter-than-air aviation."

Don't pick on dirigibles! Lighter-than-air travel was not unsafe. Many factors contributed to the demise of that mode of travel, including the onset of World War II. The use of hydrogen caused the Hindenburg tragedy. In the 1930s Germany had a good supply of hydrogen, but it had a hard time getting helium, which is derived from natural gas. If helium had been used, there would have been no fire. Even so, 62 out of the 97 on board the Hindenburg survived. Not many survive a 747 disaster.

The saying was: "If you want to get somewhere fast, take an airplane. If you want to go on a voyage, take an airship." The passenger comfort of airship travel never has been matched.

ED GAILLIOT
Alexandria