Unscientific America

It seems rather simple; faith begins where science ends.

Great interview - intriguing book - complicated subject.

I agree with the idea that science and religion don't have to be in conflict all the time...more thoughts on the topic & the interview on my blog at http://sciencelush.typepad.com.

I find that most of us that pursue this topic are ultimately looking for a grand genesis of being. It's like that old philosophy joke where the two greek philosophers are discussing the world. One asks of the other, "what holds the world up?" "Atlas," replies the other. "What holds Atlas up?" "A giant turtle." "What holds that giant turtle up?" "Another giant turtle." And that turtle?" Frustrated, the greek replies, "don't you get it man? It's turtles all the way down."

This illustrates the futility of comprehending the infinite. Within our finite framework, we seek a finite answer to creation, but regardless, whether you use science or religion to seek the answer to this question, you will always be disappointed. I know I am. Modern physicists talk about M Theory as a solution to why the big bang banged, but it offers no reason as to what created the giant membrane of which the multiverse flows through. Similarly, i remember asking my mother at a young age, "who's God's mom?" She stated that God didn't have a mom, and after much debate, she told me to ask God to explain it to me when I saw him in the afterlife.

I know that modern atheists have problems with the radicals of the world that still cling to their silly superstitions. Conversely, the religious right seem to be adamantly opposed to a belief system that erradicates the existence of a God. I'm sorry, I can't offer the atheists anything but my condolences, and a bit of advice... hang in there, be patient, eventually the world will come around. They couldn't keep the lid on Galileo. To the religious, faith-based individual I offer this perspective... If you were God, and you intended your message to be received solely on the basis of faith, would you leave a trace of your hand in creation? If you really wanted people to believe, they would never be able to directly prove your existence. You would have to create a universe that followed a system of rules, that would collide and react according to a set of parameters that were clearly defined. I believe we have that. A universe that is governed by the laws of cause and effect. These ultimate questions are beyond cause and effect, for they live in the timeless and infinite. That's why we can't wrap our brains around them. We are egocentric, and are comforted in the knowledge of an afterlife. We enjoy currying favor with a god or gods that may have control in a life where we ourselves feel powerless. Unfortunately, some of us aren't ready to drink the Kool-Aid.

I think we ponder such things in order to plan our personal code of ethics. If we believe in a punishment in afterlife, we may change our behavior. Unfortunately, this opens us up to control from religious zealots. Some seek a meaning to life. I believe Joseph Cambell instructed us not to search for the meaning of life, for it is different for all of us. Life is life, you bring the meaning to it.