Letters

- 1 August 1990

The “Mythical” Confrontation?

I have just got around to reading the article “Science vs Religion” in Skeptic No. 11, and am still wondering why it was written for such a journal (or was it?).

To say there is no meaningful confrontation between science and religion any longer is simply not true. The only reason for any so-called “compatibility” these days is that orthodox religion has become condescending to scientific thought, knowing that mankind has become much better educated within the last century and common sense now tells us that a lot of scientific explanations are feasible whereas “the word of God” is not. So the author was left to single out the fundamentalists as being the only culprits who are causing any trouble these days.

Let us not overlook the real differences between scientific thought and religious belief. One is real, factual according to the evidence, and does not look at the world with a preconceived idea. The other is based on primitive theories, mostly mythical in their origins, and is only good for the individual who shuns the real world and needs a substitute when common sense is lacking.

The sceptics of the nineteenth century paved the way for the abundance of scientific and universal knowledge we have today. It would be a retrograde step to allow the promoters of religion to sneak in through the back door by saying “there are really no differences between us anymore”.

Bruce L, Oldfield (Abridged)

Many scientists and people who value science do have religious beliefs. Christianity has largely come to terms with science. Science depends on the preconceived idea that nature is uniform.

I do not think general critiques of religious belief are a proper concern of Skepticism. However, N.Z. Skeptic welcomes investigation of BVM apparitions, stigmatics, miraculous relics, faith healing, reincarnated messiahs—

modem low-level religious phenomena, in other words.

— Ed.

Pseudology DISCOVERed.

Discover magazine is now available in New Zealand—however, it is marred by advertisements for the Rosicrucians and Scientologists.

The November 1989 issue carries a cover illustration for a feature article about ‘strange’ matter (and you thought that Science Digest was weird!). Strangest of all are the nutty characters who dreamed up such an oddball theory; some of the ideas therein go right back to Plato and beyond. The strangest quality of ‘strange’ matter is that it’s apparently undetectable by the scientists’ instruments!

D. West.

Although I have not seen the article in question, the theories of modern physics are strange indeed. Skeptics should be concerned about the unjustified exploitation of this strangeness. —Ed.