God And The Arrogance Of Scientists

God is sitting in Heaven when a scientist says to
Him, "Lord, we don't need you anymore. Science has finally figured out a way to
create life out of nothing. In other words, we can now do what you did in the
'beginning'."

"Oh, is that so? Tell me..." replies God.

"Well, "
says the scientist, "we can take dirt and form it into the likeness of You and
breathe life into it, thus creating man."

"Well, that's interesting.
Show Me."

So the scientist bends down to the ground and starts to mold
the soil. "Oh no, no, no..." interrupts God, "Get your own dirt."

And you thought science was merely the objective quest for objective truth. Read the following statement from a respected member of the scientific community and re-think, por favor:

"Our willingness to accept scientific claims that are against common sense is the key to an understanding of the real struggle between science and the supernatural. We take the side of science in spite of the patent absurdity of some of its constructs, in spite of its failure to fulfill many of its extravagant promises of health and life, in spite of the tolerance of the scientific community for unsubstantiated just-so stories, because we have a prior commitment, a commitment to materialism. It is not that the methods and institutions of science somehow compel us to accept a material explanation of the phenomenal world but, on the contrary, that we are forced by our own a priori adherence to material causes to create an apparatus of investigation and a set of concepts that produce material explanations, not matter how counterintuitive, no matter how mystifying to the uninitiated. Moreover, that materialism is absolute, for we cannot allow a divine foot in the door."

Harvard population biologist, Richard Lewontin

Did Dr. Lewontin just state that scientists of today accept obvious and patent absurdity for the sole purpose of not having to entertain the idea of a divine presence and role in creation? Now we're getting somewhere. See, I always thought that science was a field filled with a 'truth at all costs, no matter what we may find' mentality. Surely, embryonic stem cells are the answer to finding cures for cancer, ALS, and Alzheimer's Disease, right? Why, the findings of all 'credible' study say so! Er, what? Study findings were fabricated for the sole purpose of prestige, money, and pride? Oh.

Science perceives itself to be in conflict with religion, and this false assumption is what forces men like Dr. Lewontin to reach conclusions that are disingenuous at best and downright deceptive to self and others at worst. Look, let's make this really simple--God is the God of EVERYTHING, including science. Why not admit what is plain to even the simplest thinkers? The laws of physics, chemistry, and every other natural science exist as the result of a law-giver. Oh, and I'm no Stephen Hawking but, given the fact that these laws stretch the very limits of human intelligence to observe, define, and postulate about, I'm guessing that the law-giver is a hell of a lot smarter than we are. Now we see that the reason science does not naturally and intuitively lead to a conclusion of a 'law giver' because things like pride, ego, and a pre-determined agenda get in the way.

The Catholic Catechism has the most plausible and systematic position with regard to science:

"Though faith is above reason, there can never be any real discrepancy between faith and reason. Since the same God who reveals mysteries and infuses faith has bestowed the light of reason on the human mind, God cannot deny himself, nor can truth ever contradict truth." "Consequently, methodical research in all branches of knowledge, provided it is carried out in a truly scientific manner and does not override moral laws, can never conflict with the faith, because the things of the world and the things of faith derive from the same God. The humble and persevering investigator of the secrets of nature is being led, as it were, by the hand of God in spite of himself, for it is God, the conserver of all things, who made them what they are."

See, no matter how hard scientists want to eliminate God from the equation, the inevitable truth that emerges is that God is one leading them to their discoveries. Recently, Stephen Hawking claims that Pope John Paul II told him that science should not inquire into the moment the universe was created, because it was the work of God. For such a smart guy, Hawking seems kinda dull. Context of JP II's remarks, translation of said remarks (English is not his first language, ya know) aside, I'd characterize Hawking's flippant remarks (he followed up his remarks with a clever remark about being hammered by the Inquisition like Galileo) as a misinterpretation of the Catholic position. John Paul the Great has always made the point that science has limits. And as such, these limits cannot be artificially edited to put something as grandiose as the beginnings of the world into it. God cannot fit into a box. Neither can it be so arrogant as to ignore fields like Theology, Philosophy, etc and go it alone in search of definitive answers. These fields 'purify science from idolatry and false absolutes' while science has a role of 'purifying religion from error and superstition'.