Communications with editors of 13 specialized scientific journals concerning the possible publication of a seemingly controversial manuscript, which was recently published, are analyzed. On the basis of this analysis, many geoscience editors (as well as many geoscientists) may be reluctant to publish articles with social controversies extending beyond the natural sciences, particularly when these issues involve religion. This hinders the progress of the geosciences rather than advances it, as it creates a detrimental and artificial separation between the geosciences and society at large.