Intersection of science and religion (Introduction)
by David Turell 
, Wednesday, January 28, 2015, 23:01 (3586 days ago)
A Nobel Laureate on the topic:- http://berkeley.edu/news/media/releases/2005/06/17_townes.shtml-Charles Townes:-"I think it's very unfortunate that this kind of discussion has come up. People are misusing the term intelligent design to think that everything is frozen by that one act of creation and that there's no evolution, no changes. It's totally illogical in my view. Intelligent design, as one sees it from a scientific point of view, seems to be quite real. This is a very special universe: it's remarkable that it came out just this way. If the laws of physics weren't just the way they are, we couldn't be here at all. The sun couldn't be there, the laws of gravity and nuclear laws and magnetic theory, quantum mechanics, and so on have to be just the way they are for us to be here."-And lots more.
Intersection of science and religion
by George Jelliss 
, Crewe, Thursday, January 29, 2015, 00:00 (3586 days ago) @ David Turell
Sounds to me that like many specialists he hasn't thought much outside his own area of expertise, and has not encountered young-earth creationists, or even closely examined the tenets of his own professed religion of Protestant Christianity.
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GPJ
Intersection of science and religion
by David Turell , Thursday, January 29, 2015, 01:49 (3586 days ago) @ George Jelliss
George: Sounds to me that like many specialists > he hasn't thought much outside his own area of expertise, > and has not encountered young-earth creationists, > or even closely examined the tenets of his own > professed religion of Protestant Christianity.-He was able to reconcile his scientific research and scientific knowledge and still accept his religion. James Shapiro author of Evolution; A view from the 21st Century has done the same thing and started the new website:-http://www.thethirdwayofevolution.com/related-reading-Shapiro was president of his Temple (Jewish)
Intersection of science and religion
DAVID: A Nobel Laureate on the topic:-http://berkeley.edu/news/media/releases/2005/06/17_townes.shtml-Charles Townes:-I like the following. Please note the appeal for open-mindedness!-INTERVIEWER: I think it's settling those ethical issues that's the problem. Who decides what differentiates a "person" from a collection of cells, for example? “That's very difficult. What is a person? We don't know. Where is this thing, me - where am I really in this body? Up here in the top of the head somewhere? What is personality? What is consciousness? We don't know. The same thing is true once the body is dead: where is this person? Is it still there? Has it gone somewhere else? If you don't know what it is, it's hard to say what it's doing next. We have to be open-minded about that. The best we can do is try to find ways of answering those questions.” -Also: INTERVIEWER: You'll turn 90 on July 28. What's the secret to long life? “Good luck is one, but also just having a good time. [...] I'd say the secret has been being able to do things that I like, and keeping active.”-A wonderful recipe! -DAVID: He was able to reconcile his scientific research and scientific knowledge and still accept his religion. James Shapiro author of Evolution; A view from the 21st Century has done the same thing and started the new website:-http://www.thethirdwayofevolution.com/related-reading-Shapiro was president of his Temple (Jewish)-Shapiro also emphasizes that “the goal is to focus attention on the molecular and cellular processes which produce novelty without divine interventions or sheer luck." [my bold] And “It has come to our attention that THE THIRD WAY web site is wrongly being referenced by proponents of Intelligent Design and creationist ideas as support for their arguments. We intend to make it clear that the website and scientists listed on the web site do not support or subscribe to any proposals that resort to inscrutable divine forces or supernatural intervention, whether they are called Creationism, Intelligent Design, or anything else.” [my bold] -Just thought I'd better remind you!
Intersection of science and religion
by David Turell , Friday, January 30, 2015, 01:12 (3585 days ago) @ dhw
> dhw: Shapiro also emphasizes that “the goal is to focus attention on the molecular and cellular processes which produce novelty without divine interventions or sheer luck." [my bold] > And “It has come to our attention that THE THIRD WAY web site is wrongly being referenced by proponents of Intelligent Design and creationist ideas as support for their arguments. We intend to make it clear that the website and scientists listed on the web site do not support or subscribe to any proposals that resort to inscrutable divine forces or supernatural intervention, whether they are called Creationism, Intelligent Design, or anything else.” [my bold] > > Just thought I'd better remind you!-I know all this
Intersection of science and religion
by George Jelliss , Crewe, Friday, January 30, 2015, 21:12 (3584 days ago) @ David Turell
Thanks to dhw for pointing out the disclaimer on the "Rationale" page. I only read the page DT linked to and couldn't find any mention of religion. The website evidently explores "new thinking" in evolutionary science, which is good to see. Darwin and Dawkins aren't the last word on the subject.-Returning to Townes. Like many avowedly religious believers, what he actually chooses to believe is considerably different from what the various creeds of Protestant Christianity specify. He is so "open minded" that most of it has fallen out.
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GPJ
Intersection of science and religion
by David Turell , Friday, January 30, 2015, 22:36 (3584 days ago) @ George Jelliss
George; Returning to Townes. Like many avowedly religious believers, > what he actually chooses to believe is considerably different > from what the various creeds of Protestant Christianity specify. > He is so "open minded" that most of it has fallen out.-I was born in the Jewish faith, but I make my own way. Townes was probably like that
IIntersection of science and religion
by George Jelliss , Crewe, Saturday, January 31, 2015, 21:37 (3583 days ago) @ David Turell
I see Townes has died a few days ago, aged 99.-http://newscenter.berkeley.edu/2015/01/27/nobel-laureate-and-laser-inventor-charles-townes-dies-at-99/-An interesting and full life.
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GPJ