Of science and religion
An exhibit in Jerusalem allows the public to examine 300-year-old manuscripts by Isaac Newton that show the religious curiosity of the founder of modern physics and math, the Associate Press reports. The papers have never been accessible to the public and in safes at Israel's national library since 1969.
In the manuscripts, Newton calculates, based on the Book of Daniel, that the world will end no earlier than 2060, attempting to stop "fanciful men" from predicting the End Times and bringing "the sacred prophesies into discredit as often as their predictions fail." He also wrote about the dimensions of and practice in the Jewish temple.
"These documents show a scientist guided by religious fervor, by a desire to see God's actions in the world," said exhibit curator Yemima Ben-Menahem.
posted by Megan Sweas @ 9:19 AM
3 Comments
Links to this post
3 Comments:
It is always interesting to hear about the religious side of historical figures famous for work which can appear at odds with a strong religious perspective. Do you know any other examples, like Newton, of privately religious figures known for highly secular work?
I know that many scientists like Newton—Galileo, Copernicus—were very religious as well, but I’m not that familiar with their story. Although not a Christian, Albert Einstein wrote much on philosophy and religion.
A current figure, Francisco Ayala, staunchly defends evolution. While that may seem at odds with a strong religious perspective, you can read how he reconciles faith and science in the Expert Witness interview in August’s U.S. Catholic. He also explains how Augustine and Aquinas dealt with scientific and religious truths.
A person that thinks being a defender of evolution is at odds with a strong religious perspective is ignorant, likely either a fundamentalist or a close-minded atheist.
Post a Comment
Links to this post:
Create a Link
<< Home