To the editor:

A question for creationists, for those who support intelligent design and those who interpret the Bible literally: Which of the two irreconcilable Bible stories of God’s creation in Genesis do you endorse, Chapter One or Chapter Two? In Genesis Chapter One, God created man and woman on day six, after he had created everything else. In Chapter Two, he created man, followed by the Garden of Eden, trees, rivers, beasts and fowl. Finally he created woman.

In Chapter One, God created man and woman in his own image and likeness, therefore as equals. In Chapter Two, he created man from dust, then sometime later created woman from man’s rib, to serve as man’s “helper.”

It is not only impossible to rationally interpret the Bible literally, to do so requires using only selected portions, verses and stories that support one’s religious beliefs. Ignoring the other parts of the Bible limits God’s image and capabilities, as well as omitting the other powerful messages of life contained within.

I believe in God and think the Bible stories plus Jesus’ teachings of love portray the best possible way for me to live my life today. I also believe in evolution. If, as I believe, God is the omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent, infinite creator, any particular belief system is only one of an infinite number of ways he may use to make himself available to ALL people. My prayer for those who promote the rigid minority beliefs of the religious right is that you stop attacking, practice love and open your mind to God’s possibilities.

Jerry Lyons,

Lawrence