Dear Mr. Karadkar,

You began your last article saying that this topic has led to serious controversies, and then you wrote an entire article creating one. I am a devout Christian (United Methodist), and many of your assertions are off from the truth. I am a triple major in psychology, sociology and interdisciplinary studies, and we study the topic of social bonds and religion often. You are correct that religion creates many social bonds and strengthens them, as Emile Durkheim stated. You could have even said that Marx stated that “religion is the opiate of the masses,” meaning that religion serves to give illusory happiness and relief to oppressed people. However, there is serious disagreement within the discipline.

You have inferred that there is a conflict between science and religion, specifically coming from the religious camp. While it is true that many religious people have objected to scientific concepts such as evolution, climate change and the big bang theory, many visible Christian churches do not see this divide. The Roman Catholic Church, the United Methodist Church, the Presbyterian Church (PCUSA), and many other mainline denominations have no quarrels about the concepts of evolution, etc. Although many “ordinary folk” in the churches may have misguided beliefs, the clergy and the overall church do not see a conflict.

Let me also remind you that, like the Christian church, scientists have also severely erred. One only has to remember about the Tuskegee studies or Nazi experimentation on Jews, gypsies, gays and twins to realize that many bad things have been done by scientists. Like religion, science has the potential for good and bad. Dr. Robert Berezin talked about this in his article “Bad Science Creates False and Dangerous Beliefs” in Psychology Today.

I’m not meaning to excuse the piss-poor behavior of some Christians, such as those who deny evolution, fail to treat others like Jesus would or bully teens who are homosexual, all while having this self-victimization complex. Churches have done absolutely great things, and continue to do so today. Churches often provide relief to those in need in the form of food pantries, bus tickets, or even “adopting” homeless families. A friend of mine stated today on Facebook, “When you realize that without your church as a kid you probably would’ve turned into a sociopath.” Don’t forget how influential religion was to great humans such as MLK Jr., Gandhi or Mother Teresa. For me, my Christian faith guides virtuous behavior. It’s absolutely possible that the Christian church is failing to instill altruistic motives, as the newest study showed, but do not dismiss all religions based on the actions of the most vocal ones or even most. I know for a fact churches like Fairmont UMC here in Raleigh do so much good for many.

Kevin Quick

senior studying sociology