The activist

I’m writing a letter to the president and trustees of my old college, trying to persuade them not to fire teachers for refusing to teach (or to believe?) that the Bible contradicts the theory of evolution.

[*Sigh*]

This is my first time doing philosophy and social activism together. It isn’t easy. I’m not permitting myself to indulge these habits:

• quoting (except from the Bible and the “Position Papers” of the denomination);
• qualifying nearly every statement (my poor readers would never get through the whole epistle);
• worrying about the font.

I wasn’t fine-tuned to be an activist.

If any of you fellow alumni are interested in this cause, let me know, and I’ll tell you some more details.

One surprise: my sympathy is growing for the anti-evolutionists. I think they may have a case. I mean, I still think they shouldn’t fire people, but I also think the anti-anti-evolutionsists owe them a concession. (Another reason I’m a lousy activist.)

Brianna

With Karin, I’m going through that stage of romance which is very visible, very ostentatious. Most people are putting up with it. But not Brianna, Karin’s little sister, who is writing thinly-veiled protest literature.

Here is some of that literature. (“Potato” is Karin’s cat, Jasper — nearly as good a cat as Bianca.)

Once there were two girls. They were nine years apart. There was a Little One and a Big One. They were not in fact twins. Little One was at home. Big One owned a Potato. Big One was at home, too. But one day, a big, mean Soccer Ball — and his family and friend [the male Sabby] — stole Big One’s love away. Little One and Potato were sad. Potato mewed, but Big One did not comprehend; she was too busy getting her love stolen away by Soccer Ball, his family, and his friend. Big One left to go see said people. Little One and Potato were sad. Big One came back home later. Little One and Potato were okay but sad. Big One said she had seen the way of errors, and she would never let a Soccer Ball, family, or friend steal her love again. 

The end. 

Similarities to real people, places, and settings are purely coincidental.

Brianna was my friend before Karin was: we used to babysit the church children together. She deserves much credit for my recent happiness. Also, she’s adorable.

P.S. Greetings to my other friend, the female Sabby, on holiday in Guatemala.