🚀 go-pugleaf

craigen@ace.acadiau.ca (DOUGLAS CRAIGEN) writes:

> >>Then how do you explain the large number of people who are both scientists
> >>and are religious?  Surely there is a sizeable number of such people.
> >>They apparently feel that science has important things to say about
> >>some areas of life, and religion has important things to say about other
> >>areas of life.
> >
> >I wouldn't try to explain this since I have no idea what the number of 
> >religious scientist is, nor do I know of a reputable study of this issue.  
> >My own guess (hope) is that the number is small.  I personally consider 
> >the phrase "religious scientist" an oxymoron. -AR.
> 
>    I have no hard numbers either, but my experience suggests that if you 
> consider the number to be small you must have your eyes shut.  The data 
> would be difficult to analyze for most mainline denominations, since many 
> people who will reject the tenets of the church they will grew up in, and 
> who haven't attended a church for 30 years will continue to call themselves 
> Catholic etc, and would be quite offended by any suggestion that their 
> beliefs and actions would warrant removal of that title.  Evangelical 


Doug,

        It has been my experience that when a true professional 
scientist is challenged- science vs. beliefs, they will invariably 
admit that they are truly atheistic, and wear the religion as a 
badge because it was a heritage of their parents, etc.

        When I was younger, I believed in a deity.  I prayed and 
all that.  I also noticed nothing happened.  I took up science, I 
experimented and all that.  I also noticed that GREAT things could 
happen!  Needless to say, I am a scientist today- but above all, I 
am a complete unequivocal atheist.  I have no beliefs or need for 
belief in any form of deity.  I believe in science..........sq

(but I work with a bunch of GOD heads...)