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CSM is actually well established as a legitimate news source and journal; it's name has little to do with it's intentions.

The name simply derives from the wishes of one of the founders.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Christian_Science_Monitor

I know :) I was just enjoying being snarky

"Literate" doesn't just mean understanding the basic methodology. It means having a broad knowledge of specific subject matter. Would you call someone "literate" in English if they knew the basic theory of English grammar but had never read, say, anything by Shakespeare?

Heh. Correct. It does not equate to the mastery of being knowledgable in scientific facts. (Though it helps sometimes when dealing with irrational people.)

But I humbly think the most important aspect of being scientifically literate is that you solve problems using reason, factual data, and systematic methodologies.