To the editor:

Regarding the pope’s recent remarks, which have so enraged many Muslims, columnist Anne Applebaum calls on rational people across the cultural spectrum to speak with one voice. She wonders why we cannot unite behind the idea that suppression of speech is no answer to our disagreements. Can’t we all talk reasonably?

I wonder as well. When various religious activists have commandeered our political system to spread their dogma that evolution theory is no better than primitive creation myths, that microscopic zygotes have “souls” and human rights, that what two adults choose to do in the privacy of their home with their own bodies is a matter of cosmic and public concern, or even that frank criticism of religion itself is “hate speech,” I wonder where the unified, forceful response is from rational Americans of all kinds, especially those in our academic community.

The answer lies in the pope’s further remarks, which seek to constrain rational discussion with the irrationality of faith. He asserts that reason must give way at the boundaries of current knowledge, and accede to the wisdom of religion, without evidence. We know what religion he is speaking of. But this tired claim is the wellspring of the arbitrary, groundless certainties that drive not only moderate, but extreme “faith.” If you embrace one, you ensure the other. Our taboo against naming the real implications of such sanctified nonsense – liberal, moderate or extreme – is what has muted our response and left us pandering to organized insanities, great and small.

Bruce S. Springsteen,

Lawrence