Science and religion - Academic

[CFE Villa-Landa]

Hello
I am about to start an MA by thesis on the topic of science and religion, attempting to demonstrate that religious scientists do not apply the same rigorous standards of argument to their religious thinking as they do in their scientific work. I shall be looking at a wide range of scientists from the most dogmatic- for example the young-earth creationists - to the more subtle such as John Polkinghorne and Dennis Alexander and others whose work tends to be published by the Templeton Foundation and studied in the burgeoning university departments of science and religion. Just about all the literature I have found appears to be supporting the consensus between science and religion with just a few lone voices like Richard Dawkins, Peter Atkins, and similar speaking out against it. Does anyone know of useful websites where I can find the latest thinking on this and also of any publications against the consensus?
Many thanks if anyone can help.
Celia Villa-Landa
ps Why do people use pseudonyms so much? What is wrong with honesty?

[Megatron]

Welcome to the boards, and best of luck with your project!

I'm going to copy this thread over to the Science & Skepticism forum, where you'll be more likely to get more responses on this subject.

As for the pseudonyms, I suppose everyone has their own reasons... in my case, I've already dealt with identity theft once and do not wish to suffer that ordeal again.

[Berthold]

Creationists claim that they have scientists among them. At a closer look, these are people ( such as Duane Gish ) who have a degree in a scientific subject, but are not active in academic research.

[quartodeciman]

Here is somebody with a considerable reputation in one field of science, who is also an avid evangelical Christian. I have heard him speak and he has championed the thought that believers make excellent scientists.

Henry F. Schaefer III, Chemistry, U. Georgia --->
http://www.id.ucsb.edu/veritas/SPEAKERS/Schaefer.html

P.S. Don't sour your work by betraying such heavy bias prior to completing your discovery process. Try to be cool and objective.

[Bede]

I agree with the need not to enter into your enquiry with too many pre-conceptions. I expect that you will find Dawkins and Atkins views of science are considered very naive by many philosophers. Atkins, who I have heard speak, is an extremist who wants to 'eliminate' religious belief (how, he does not specify). There is a Prometheus book on science and religion and a few English philosophers of the enlightenment tradition (Grayling and Blackburn for instance) but their work on this is more playing to popular prejudice than any serious analysis.

I suggest you bone up on the philosophy of science before tackling the thesis. You might find this (http://eblaforum.org/main/viewtopic.php?t=18) a good jumping off point and you might consider posting your request on those forums to.

Yours

Bede

Bede's Library - faith and reason (http://www.bede.org.uk)

[David Mills]

Hello
I am about to start an MA by thesis on the topic of science and religion, attempting to demonstrate that religious scientists do not apply the same rigorous standards of argument to their religious thinking as they do in their scientific work. I shall be looking at a wide range of scientists from the most dogmatic- for example the young-earth creationists - to the more subtle such as John Polkinghorne and Dennis Alexander and others whose work tends to be published by the Templeton Foundation and studied in the burgeoning university departments of science and religion. Just about all the literature I have found appears to be supporting the consensus between science and religion with just a few lone voices like Richard Dawkins, Peter Atkins, and similar speaking out against it. Does anyone know of useful websites where I can find the latest thinking on this and also of any publications against the consensus?
Many thanks if anyone can help.
Celia Villa-Landa


I would never make such a blatant appeal were it not for your specific and unfortunately correct statement that most books these days try to reconcile science and Scripture. To me, this attempt at reconciliation is absurd and insulting to the intelligence of anyone with even a passing familiarity with science or with the Bible. You asked for the name of a publication against consensus. May I recommend Atheist Universe: Why God Didn't Have a Thing To Do With It (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1413434827/internetinfidels/002-1060617-6909620)

The main point of the entire book is that science and religion are totally incompatible. I also work feverishly hard to nail down creationists who, on the one hand, assert that the Genesis chronology is to be interpreted metaphorically (to save it from scientific error on Earth's antiquity) but who, on the other hand, assert that Jesus literally walked on water, literally filled pigs with demons, literally rose from the dead, etc. I strive in the book to be absolutely merciless to those who attempt reconciliation. "Reconciliation" is a psychological self-deception employed by semi-science-minded individuals who lack the guts to give up the superstitions of their childhood, even when presented with incontrovertible proof that they are wrong.

David Mills

[Roland98]

Mod note:

For those of you addressing the OP, you may want to look at the date it was submitted.

Roland98
S&S moderator

[Vorkosigan]

Atkins, who I have heard speak, is an extremist who wants to 'eliminate' religious belief (how, he does not specify).

Fascinating that someone can be an extremist for wanting to eliminate religious belief, but not for supporting a belief system -- Christianity -- that aims to stamp out all competing beliefs. What could be more extremist than that?

In any case, David Ray Griffin has been editing a series called Religion and Scientific Naturalism which is now in its tenth book. Most of it is highly pro-Christianity and hence very slanted, but it might be a good starting point.

AAAS has a program on this
http://www.aaas.org/spp/dser/

www.metanexus.org has a bunch of articles and book reviews you might find useful.

Vorkosigan