Re: [MLUG - DISCUSSION] [RELIGION] Believing Scripture but Playing by Science's Rules

[Mike Miller <EMAIL:PROTECTED>]

On Tue, 13 Feb 2007, Stephen Montgomery-Smith wrote:

> Someone on the faculty mailing list posted this:
>
> Presentation at the National Prayer Breakfast
> Francis S. Collins, M.D., Ph.D.
> February 1, 2007

I guess this was taken from here:

http://newsweek.washingtonpost.com/onfaith/guestvoices/2007/02/whether_cathedral_or_laborator.html

Collins wrote:

> Yet there are increasingly shrill voices around us who argue that the 
> scientific and spiritual worldviews are incompatible.  I am here this 
> morning to tell you that these different ways of finding the truth are 
> not only compatible, but they are wondrously complementary.

This is true only if you take the position that "the spiritual worldview" 
can tell us nothing about how things work in the world around us.  That 
is, science and religion are compatible if there is no overlap in the 
claims made from the two positions.  Collins may choose to make no 
falsifiable truth claims based on his spirituality, but that is not what 
other religious people are doing.  It is quite possible for science and 
religion to be incompatible -- it depends on the religion -- we've been 
seeing this happen and it has been a huge problem historically and in 
America in recent years.

His idea that religion answers the big question of "why" is ridiculous. 
First, there is no reason to believe any religious answers to "why" are 
correct.  Second, anyone can make up an answer to "why" (e.g., "because 
the space aliens alliance made it so", or "because of God's will") without 
fear of being contradicted by any kind of evidence -- so what good is the 
answer?  The answer is just a fabrication!  It also leads, always, to an 
infinite regress -- why did God want it like that?  Why does God "so love 
his children?" etc.  Needless to say, I am not impressed by "faith" as an 
approach to understanding.

I'll bet everyone just loved Francis Collins.  What a great guy.  He 
played his guitar and everyone applauded him.  The nicest guy around - 
very moving and inspiring, very spiritual and uplifting.  It almost makes 
me want to be a big manipulative panderer just like Francis Collins.

On the other hand, what he is doing might help.  It's hard to say.  If he 
can encourage religious extremists to adopt a more scientific approach, it 
will be a good thing.

By the way, Collins also said:

   In my 28th year, while hiking in the majestic Cascade mountains in the
   Pacific Northwest, I could no longer deny my need for forgiveness and
   new life -- and I gave in and became a follower of Jesus.

That's a familiar story because that is where my sister lives.  Her family 
takes people on hikes up there.  I wouldn't be surprised if they converted 
him!  He might be disappointed to learn that they all believe that the 
earth was created 6,000 years ago with the fossils planted their by God.

Mike

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