{Please note that this letter is in the same format and general flow as Star's "Statement of Faith" (see "Star Jones Says 'No' to an Atheist President" by the Ethical Atheist). However, in stark contrast, Klaus' is a "statement of confidence in science". Please see Star Jones' letter at the bottom of this page for a comparison.
From: Klaus Brauch
To: Ethical Atheist
Sent: Thursday, June 27, 2002 1:12 AM
Subject: A SCIENCE response letter to Star JonesSubject: Regarding Atheism
Dear Ethical,
Thank you so much for sharing Star's letter with me. I welcome the opportunity to share MY personal testimony with you and with her.
I can honestly say that my relationship with science is the most important relationship in my life. Science has led us to a fundamental understanding of the universe and given us the wonderful gifts of modern medicine, marvelous technology and unprecedented plenty. These gifts are there for all who care to embrace them. I believe that with a knowledge and trust in science, all things are possible. The mechanism of evolution, as so brilliantly revealed by Charles Darwin, has opened millions of eyes to the workings of nature. His writing explained the processes that created us, as well as all life on this planet. My life is a living testimony to evolution's wonders.
When I was 51 years old my life changed. Doctors discovered that I had Mesothelioma, a terminal cancer of the lung and the chest cavity caused by asbestos. Everyone I spoke to about this aggressive tumor told me that I had less than a year to live... they didn't check with my doctors, however, because evidently, modern science had made other plans.
My belief in science and medicine gave me the strength to continue working, while preparing for a radical tri-modality treatment of surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. I was offered quack cures such as homeopathic treatments, diets and prayer vigils but I refused them and placed my life in the hands of Dr. Michael Jaklitsch of Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston. He removed the lining of my lung and replaced my diaphragm with a patch made of Gor-Tex, a miraculous fiber invented by science. Then he removed the lung itself and stripped my heart of its protective skin, the pericardium and replaced it with a Gor-Tex patch as well. Astonishingly, I was up and walking the halls of the hospital within a week, ready to begin my recovery. Thank you Dr. Jaklitsch, and thank you to the many scientists who defied centuries of repression by the Christian church to discover the truth and invent modern medicine.
Everything that I have ever accomplished has been because of science. An understanding of the natural world gave me perspective on life. An understanding that mankind evolved from a common ancestor made me tolerant of people of other races and colors. They are truly my brothers and sisters. I understand that more clearly than any adherent of a religion can, as history has so often demonstrated.
I rarely lacked purpose or direction. I knew I had only one life to live and did my best to make the most of it. Unlike many less fortunate persons, I didn't waste my time dreaming about a better life to come. I knew that violence against and oppression of my fellow humans was immoral because they also had only one life. How could I deny them their chance to pursue health, liberty and happiness? At every turn, nature, as explained by science, gave me a balanced outlook towards the world around me. Every bird song was a sign. Every starry night, strewn with millions of distant galaxies, made me humble and filled me with awe. In other words... I was inspired by the natural world and grateful to be alive. Fairness has always been my compass. I have always expected to be treated with dignity and respect, just as I treated others the same way. No priest, elder or god was needed to tell me how to live my life.
I have never needed to consult with fairies or higher powers. The splendor of the natural world has been and remains my church and the beauty and intricacy of science is my religion. All that I want to know will eventually be known to me if I seek the truth. I don't have to rely on parables and fables to make me feel comfortable or loved. The blessings that I have received and continue to receive from science and technology sometimes make me fall silent in wonder. I am so grateful that others have defied superstition and ignorance to give me such gifts... but I know that these miracles of science are possible because of man's inquiring mind and because the truth of nature is there for science to reveal to all who wish to learn.
Our response to the events of September 11, 2001 has reinforced my confidence that we will prevail over religious zealotry of all kinds. Our science and technology have given us the weapons with which we will prevail over our ignorant and narrow-minded enemies. Our engineers have given us the tools with which to crush our ideological foes, whose only advantage was the surprise created by the barbarity of their acts. Their deeds were so heinous that none of us could have imagined any decent human being doing such things. No atheist would ever commit such a crime. Only religious extremists who believe in a paradise or an afterlife would give up their lives to commit such a criminal against humanity. Science and technology is the basis of our defence, not the Inquisition, the Hour of Power or the 700 Club. Christianity didn't build the stealth bombers and cruise missiles that overthrew the Taliban. Our superior technology did. Holy water won't stop Muslim extremists but satellites, computers, aircraft carriers and bunker busting bombs will.
My compassion for my fellow man has never been greater than now. I fully understand and share the suffering of both the oppressed Palestinian refugees and the innocent Jewish civilians. They are driven by their religious leaders to hate each other because of their different faiths. If both sides were secular, and interested only in living a peaceful life, raising a family and watching their grandchildren grow, only their common Semitic heritage would remain. Then they would discover that they are one and the same people, descended from the same tribes in that part of the world but separated only by religion. They are all ordinary people, that with the gift of science and technology could live in peace and plenty if only they could set aside their religious zealotry. Clearly the world needs more atheists and fewer religious extremists if we are ever to live together in peace.
You see, evolution will lead us to understand that if we aren't careful, we can destroy ourselves and all our cousins in the animal kingdom on this tiny earth. Science has taught us about the awesome powers of nature, which we now wield as weapons of destruction. Religious extremists now threaten to use these weapons against innocent women and children, all in the name of their god. Trusting in a higher power to protect us, no matter how much we ask for a god's blessing is foolhardy. It lulls us into believing that no matter how evil our actions, somehow, a miracle will appear to save us from ourselves. But rational people know that miracles are fables and don't happen. Atheists aren't that foolish. We know that only our better natures can save us from ourselves and from the naked power of physics that science has revealed to us. So far, our better natures have prevailed except whenever a religion uses war to impose one version of faith on people of a different faith. If only they could see the truth, and not believe the fantasies that are indoctrinated by their religious leadership.
No person or god, if there was one, knows what tomorrow brings. I do know, however, that it is with confidence in the basic goodness of mankind, unfettered from the “opium” of religion, that we will prevail and fulfill our destiny to populate the distant solar systems that illuminate the night sky. I know that science, not religion, we help us overcome our current and future challenges and only the unvarnished truth, not faith, will renew us. Science is real in my life and the fact that I live life to the fullest is the greatest example of the truth of that statement.
Best wishes to you and your family.
K. Axel Brauch (renaissance@learningteacher.com)
Author of The ADAR Chronicles
We greatly appreciate the above response to Star Jones that Klaus Axel Brauch provided. We thank him for taking the time to write such a timely, eloquent, rational letter in support of Science.Klaus Axel Brauch is a guest writer of the Ethical Atheist. For more on Klaus and the articles he's written, see his "Profile".
The content of Star's letter is attached for comparison:
From: Star Jones (star@starjones.com)
To: Ethical Atheist
Sent: Wednesday, May 01, 2002 11:14 AM
Subject: Regarding Religion
Dear Ethical,Thank you so much for writing. I welcome the opportunity to share my personal testimony with you.
I can honestly say that my relationship with God is the most important relationship in my life. I believe that Christ is the Son of God and is the risen savior. I believe in the power of the Holy Spirit, which for me is a powerful force that guides my every thought and deed. I believe that with faith in God, all things are possible. The book of Hebrews (Chapter 11, verse 1) says that "faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen". My life is a living testimony to that verse.
When I was 20 years old my life changed. Doctors told me that I had less than a year to live because of an inoperable tumor... they didn't check with God, because evidently, he had other plans.
God's strength made me go back to school in Washington, DC, made me defy my parents and refuse the radiation treatments which eventually led me to a surgeon who not only removed the tumor, but I was back at school within a week... ready to begin my Senior year of college. Thank you Father.
Everything that I have ever accomplished has been with God's help.
I often didn't know where to go, how I would get there and what I would do once at the place I desired... but at every turn there was an answer. There was a sign. There was direction. In other words... there was God. There is no decision that I make, or have made in my life that does not include a talk with God during a time of prayer. I wake in the morning and I talk to God. I ask for direction. I ask for strength. I ask for patience. I ask for courage. And I ask for steadfastness in my faith... even in the time of trouble.
I also talk to God, not just when I want or need something... but also when I want to say thank you for what He has already done in my life. The blessings that I have received and continue to receive sometimes make me fall to my knees in thanksgiving because in my mind, I don't deserve the gifts... but I know that I'm given them because Christ promised me everything my mind could imagine if I would just follow him. He has been true to his word.
The tragedy of the past week is one of those times that make people doubt God's existence. Not me... it makes me sure of it. These terrorists were the personification of evil and just as God has given us free will to do good works, he has also given us free will to choose evil. Don't get it twisted... regardless of what they say and who they bow down to... these people were not of God. Whenever you hear people invoking God's name in order to justify their actions, ask yourself: Do those actions affirm life? Do they promote love? Do they encourage peace? If they don't, then they are not of God.
I have never been so peaceful in a turbulent time because of my personal relationship with God. With so many people looking for answers where there aren't many, I can sincerely say that the peace I feel comes from knowledge that there is a force bigger than me... and that gives me strength. If I believed that I was the smartest, the bravest the most competent to handle this situation, I would be lost. I would be panic stricken... because I know that I'm not equipped to handle something like this tragedy. I know that alone, I would falter. I would become weak. I would allow my emotions to overtake my logic... because I am human. But with God's help, I am made stronger. I am resolved that this is not what he wants for his people and I am sure that we as a country will become stronger through this.
You see, God knows exactly when we need him to take over. For me, it's like an eagle and its babies. God has given me the skill to fly, but he carries me when my own wings can no longer do the job. This week, a lot of people have needed "carrying" and I believe that unity we have seen is a direct result of his power to unite in a time of trouble. The Bible says "all things work together for good for those that are called according to His purpose". With God's help, maybe now we will exercise that free will for good.
I don't know what tomorrow brings, but I do know that it is with faith that we will come through this tragedy, and it is only with the Holy Spirit that we will be renewed. God is real in my life and the fact that I live life to the fullest is the greatest example I can be.
Best wishes to you and your family.
Star Jones
- Ethical Atheist
[Created: 07/02/2002]
[Last Update: 8/3/2002]