Mulling critical thinking and anecdotal evidence

Christine Rosen has learned to think critically (Opinion, Jan. 19), but she has yet to master an important lesson: Anecdotal evidence has limited value. Here’s some anecdotal evidence also: My father died still trusting that his lifelong belief in a faith-healing cult would cure his diseases. My mother died with the same belief. Her sister, the same. Her mother, the same. My anecdotes prove nothing about the power of maturity to produce either analytical skill or the opposite. Neither do Rosen’s.

TOM CLAYTON

Santa Clarita

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I congratulate Rosen for having survived early fundamentalist training with her critical thinking skills enhanced. I recall how in the 1960s, my public schoolteachers encouraged me to think carefully about the world. In my early days, three Church of Christ sermons each week, Sunday school, vacation Bible school every summer and many Gospel revival meetings had done their best to solidify a medieval outlook in my forming soul. By age 8, I had had enough. Looking back, I wonder what was gained in the battle for my soul. I still use my mind to remind the rest of me that sex is not shameful, women are not inferior and most people are not in a state of damnation. Deep down, though, I’m not sure what I truly believe.

DAVID BOZARTH

Rohnert Park, Calif.