Dr Gauger -
What a beautiful story about the “old woman”! I strongly suspect that it’s, as they say in Hollywood, based on a true story. 
Best thing I’ve read, outside my lovely wife’s poetry, in weeks!
It’s interesting to me that you equate objections from scientists with persecution. I’m kind of old school in my use of persecution terminology. Perpetua and Felicity were persecuted. Ignatius of Antioch was persecuted. Muslims who are jailed for becoming followers of Christ are persecuted. (I’ve known a couple of them personally.) Occasionally being called names on the internet? That’s just the price of living in modern society, pretty much. I’ve been called names plenty of times. It’s unpleasant, but I would rather reserve the word “persecution” for much stiffer stuff.
My $.02.
Blessings,
Chris Falter