Science and Religion: The Views of Two Religious Scientists

[cbayer]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mario-livio/science-and-religion_b_1724111.html

Mario Livio
Astrophysicist, Space Telescope Science Institute

Posted: 08/01/2012 6:01 pm

Jacob Bekenstein and David Eichler are both world-renowned astrophysicists. Bekenstein, winner of the 2012 Wolf Prize, is best known for his work on black hole thermodynamics, and for the formulation of a theory known as TeVeS, that attempted to explain galactic observations without a need for dark matter. Eichler is known for numerous works on gamma-ray bursts, cosmic rays, and pulsars. They are also religious Jews. I have known Bekenstein and Eichler for decades, but I suddenly realized that I had never actually talked to them about whether they see any conflict between their religious beliefs and their scientific views. I was happy to discover that neither of them had any objections to openly discussing their opinions.

Eichler explained to me right away that he believed that the universe is governed by the laws of physics.

"What is God's role, then?" I asked.

"For all we know, God created the laws of nature," he replied, "so religion in this sense does not contradict science at all."

more at link

[trotsky]

1. Yep, if you believe in a god who put the physical laws of the universe in place,

and has done absolutely nothing since, your god is completely compatible with science.

So far.

Of course, finding people who believe in that particular god is pretty rare. By far the vast majority put all sorts of other baggage on that cart.