On 8 July, President Obama nominated Francis Collins to run the National Institutes of Health (NIH).  A geneticist with a stellar resume, Collins is one of the most qualified doctors in the US to run NIH.  No one would doubt that claim.  Why then is this nomination controversial?  It is simple—Collins is a Christian.  He wrote about his conversion in an absolutely wonderful 2006 book entitled The Language of God: A Scientist Presents Evidence for Belief.  He argues that “there is no conflict in being a rigorous scientist and a person who believes in a God who takes a personal interest in each one of us.”  Critics of the appointment, specifically atheists Sam Harris and Steven Pinker, contend that a religious worldview is incompatible with a rational one.  That is ludicrous!  It is currently a major commentary on the state of our culture where an appointment like Dr. Collins to lead the NIH would be controversial.  He meets every criteria as a scientist for this position.  He just happens to believe in God—and some say that disqualifies him!  Have we really fallen to such a sad state of affairs as a nation?  May God have mercy on us.