In a surprising turnabout, the Catholic Church and Protestant denominations that celebrate Christmas have tacitly endorsed the until-now dogmatically radioactive notion of evolution by natural selection. This month's Journal of Applied Ecology reports that over-production of frankincense is having a deleterious affect on the viability of resin-producing trees in Eritrea.

Tapping frankincense causes the Boswellia trees to use up their carbohydrates replenishing their resin, instead of growing the flowers, fruits and seeds of their reproductive systems, according to Science Daily. The Christmas spirit herein forces natural selection, and the Boswellia forests may not be fit enough for the task.

A Protestant-turned-apathetic religion scholar I know wrote three ironic headlines for this tidbit: "Theory of Evolution Confirmed By Christianity"; "If God Wanted Frankincense to Thrive, He Wouldn't Have Sent Us Jesus"; and "Hebrew Prophet's Popularity Endangers Fragrant Tree." One can imagine a myrrhiad of others.

[Frankincense-related molecule credit: Gordon Docherty]