I joined this list a few days ago, having discovered it while researching a
trip next week to Washington and British Columbia.

I belong to quite a few Bird chat lines in the US, Canada and Europe.

This discussion of creationism versus evolution was one of my first
introductions to Tweeters, and it was very surprising in its tone.

I think that in this day and age to reject the evidence of evolution is an
untenable position. I would be screaming bloody murder if someone tried to
have science taken out of the science textbooks and replaced with religious
beliefs of a few. I am monitoring the attempts here in Georgia to put Bible
studies in the curriculum...taught from a fundamentalist point of view. I
think this is at odds with separation of church and State. I think vigilance
is necessary to avoid having people with a set agenda take over schools
because others just sat by and did nothing.

But I am very surprised to see religion, and Christianity attacked with such
vehemence on a birders chatline. I am a Christian, and I find no problem
believing that at some point a process was set in motion that has evolved
into what we see as the world today, but if I want to discuss that belief
there are many other places on the web I can go. But somehow I didn't
expect to have to choose between giving up a great source of knowledge,
camaraderie and fellowship with people who share a passion for birds, and
letting what I sensed an attack on anyone with religious beliefs go
unchallenged.

Washington seems to have great birding spots, and great birds...I hope I get
to hear more about both of them,

Marie La Salle
mlasalle at mindspring.com