Science in Christian Perspective
Letter to the Editor
Changes in ASA Name, Convention Locations and Membership Categories
William R. Higgs
Department of Civil Engineering and Geology
Louisiana Polytechnic
Institute
Ruston, Louisiana 71270
From: JASA 22 (March 1970): 35.
I am in agreement that under the circumstances
mentioned by C. Ray Carlson (Journal ASA 21, 59 (1969) ) a suitable name change
for the journal and of course for the organization might be an
advantage. However,
finding a name that is in line with the objectives of the organization is quite
another matter. Perhaps suggestions should be solicited? How about
Christian Scientific
Affiliation? That goes right along with the Christian Scientific Symposium held
at Calvin College.
For some reason or other, I found this June issue of the Journal of
greater reading
interest than previous issues. Maybe it's because of more lucid
writing, or topics
were more timely, or could it be editorial organization?
Another question concerns having an ASA Convention closer to this
section of the
country. I know from experience that conventions are best planned for
areas where
there appears a good volume of the membrship, but it's also good publicity to
plan such where the organization is not so well known. This might
help bring more
like-minded people into the fold. In a check of the membership list plus those
added March 8, 1969, I found 98 members in the 9 state area of North and South
Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas, Louisiana, Texas
and Tennessee.
Shouldn't this be enough for a regional meeting or at least one
national meeting
once every 4 or 5 years?
At the foot of page 1, ASA NEWSLETTER Vol. 11,
No. 1, Editor's Note, mention is made of "Fellows of the ASA are Brahmins
. . . a selfperpetuating caste.
This seems to me an odd situation among "Christians" who before God
are all alike. We do have membership classifications in many organizations but
for such delineation to exist in an organization whose purpose is glorification
of God through the inspired apologetic of His creation to the world,
is an anachronism.
All who support the ASA with an annual financial contribution known
as "dues"
should be classed simply as members: nothing more, nothing less.
(Editor's Comment: Readers of the NEWSLETTER learn not to take the imaginative
prose of the Editor of that publication too seriously.)