Some time ago, a friend of mine, a fervent Christian, expressed confusion at trying to reconcile his religion with certain scientific truths. He expressed confusion in several areas which I have formed, following, into sub-headings, in an attempt to clarify his questions through my anti-theistic filter.
The speed of light and time standing still.
We are, of course, dealing with theory, not established fact, but, thinking as a layman and not a scientist, I would think that causing a particle to reach the speed of light would result in simply that… the particle reaching the speed of light. Remember that light is travelling around us constantly, and, although it would sometimes be useful to have time stand still, that is not happening, at least not quantifiably. Quantum physics is largely a theoretical discipline, and one must be careful not to mistake words for probity.
Nations with destruction on their minds, and scientific advance.
Bellicose nations have, throughout recorded history, taken advantage of technological change. Aggression in nations often fosters and accelerates scientific advancement which ultimately, after the aggressor has passed into recent history, ends up in everyday usage which, sometimes and arguably, makes for a better life for the general populace. You may mention Hitler, and, yes, he was a great believer in his scientists, who did a lot of the seminal work in rocketry, ballistics, and nuclear reaction. When, however, one considers the abominable mockery of science his human experiments created, any legitimate scientific advance by scientists of the Third Reich has the rotting smell of a Doctor Frankenstein experiment. The results of his scientific support did not change his ultimate failure to institute his intrinsically wrong socio-economic plan for his Reich.
The End of Times and Allegories from the Book of Revelation
I realize the importance that some Christian sects place upon the end of times and the Book of Revelation, and am, of course, unable to comment. You will be familiar with my belief that sacred texts are only words written by men, and are interpreted by other men, with both the writers and the interpreters adding their own spin to whatever the message might be. The Book of Revelation is (in)famous for this, with its visions, predictions, and prophecies that permit logarithmic interpretations of what is actually meant. Speculation, in both science and religion, remains simply that…speculation. Theory is all well and good, but solid proof should be the ultimate goal for both Christian theorists and quantum physicists. Ad interim, to paraphrase Mao Zedong, let a thousand discussions bloom.
In our discussion here today, I am reminded of the profound difference between Christian belief and Buddhist belief: the one embraces the future (the Rapture, the Second Coming, the end of days), while the other embraces the present. We can readily see, utilising information available, that the profound difference in focus between these two major religions is primarily brought about by socio-economic differences. Early Christianity was very Old Testament in imagery, being based upon an angry and jealous god of wrath and punishment. Later church establishment found that a peasant populace could be controlled by fear and bullying far more easily than a populace who embraced the new Testament philosophies of peace, tolerance, and social justice. Buddhism was born in an area of the world where day to day subsistence living made focus on improving one’s lot here and today much easier than believing in eventual spiritual rewards through a life of austerity, fear, and obedience. Christianity and science, as well, differ in concept, in that the one indeed gives God the glory, postulating that some things are unknowable and in the realm of (using an “intelligent design” example) not knowing the contents God's tool box. The other abandons the Faith approach and utilises what developed intelligence we may have to further our collective knowledge. If I were Christian, I would be of the school of thought that argues on using our talents rather than (as in the parable) burying them in the dirt.
Los Alamos, Lister, and the Working Tools of God
If the scientific experience of Los Alamos was/is considered as touching on the working tools of God, could not one have said the same about the radical work of Pasteur and Lister in advocating sterilization of medical instruments and the washing of hands when the popular belief was that "miasma" caused the putrification of wounds. Again, were I Christian, it seems to me that I would believe that the ultimate "working tool of God" was the mind of Man, and that to use this Tool as much as possible would indeed be to God's glory. More destruction is being wrought globally today through the use of the inventions of Henry Ford and James Watts than has, as yet, been
visited upon us by the misuse of the results from the plains of Alamogordo.
None of the foregoing is meant, as you well know, to disparage the multitudinous schools of Christian thought. My words are merely attempting to show that intellectual exploration in any forum can bring about good as well as evil, and that I feel such exploration is mankind's highest purpose.
What will be, will be, but for me the concept of "what is" ranks much higher on the scale of personal, spiritual, and intellectual fulfilment.
Peace.
