After all, for almost my entire life, I grew up being told that I couldn’t be a scientist, and also be a Christian. This sentiment was drilled into my brain by both pastors and atheist scientists alike, as well as by people in the churches I've attended. This includes even my own family.

Even today, I often hear that science and Christianity are completely oppositional to one another, especially as political tensions boil over between MAGA republicans and everyone else. 

Logically, I know that isn’t true. Logically, I understand that science and Christianity are anything but oppositional to each other. Emotionally, however, I still can’t help but worry that I’m doing something wrong by being a devout Christian, and also a diehard Biology major who's technically already a published scientist. 

This emotional rift- this irrational fear- explains why even today, I question whether or not I belong at university. 

To be continued...