Disciplines
• Aerospace Studies
• Science
• Physics
• Astronomy
• Electrical Engineering
Seeking truth: Religion and physics
share in common that in both, practitioners
seek to learn what is true, while also dealing
with unseen realities whose existence cannot
immediately be proved. Existence is often
inferred based on effects in the visible world.
Whether for a higher power, a deeper understanding
of tiny particles or an unseen astronomical
object, the search requires a sense of mystery,
desire for discovery and belief that there
is something to be found. Discoveries or convictions
in these fields define our understanding of
the origin of the universe and our place in
it.
Origin of the universe:
Believing in that which is not seen and
explanations of the origin of the universe
are common in religious ideology. For example,
the biblical letter writer in Hebrews 11:3
says, "By faith we understand that
the universe was formed at God's command,
so that what is seen was not made out of
what was visible." Islam's Koran states:
"Then He turned to the heaven when
it was smoke …" (Koran: 41:11)
… Have not those who disbelieved known
that the heavens and earth were one connected
entity, then We separated them?" (Koran
21:30)
Science and religion:
Physics studies the structure and properties
of matter and transformations of energy
that establish the fundamental laws of nature.
Astronomy studies phenomena outside the
limits of the Earth, applying physics to
interpret observable phenomena surrounding
the Earth and the distant limits of the
universe. Aerospace engineering often provides
ways to further explore these environments.
Theologians and religious
believers often infer the existence of God
from various facts, affirming that belief
because his existence makes sense of their
experiences and knowledge. Although they
have a different perspective, physicists
deal with a similar world of nonvisible
(such as gluons or quarks) and possibly
non-existent (such as the strings in "string
theory") objects. Neither deals with
concrete "proofs" in the everyday
world but does try to make sense of events
that can objectively be said to have occurred.
People of faith might observe
that the laws of physics have remarkably
allowed the evolution of intelligent human
life in the universe - perhaps too remarkably
to not reflect a master creator. Others
might argue that scientific discoveries
reveal only a fundamental natural law. Yet
there is also always much more than meets
the eye. Research in quantum physics, for
example, has shown that tiny particles behave
differently than expected, based on theories
from the behavior of larger particles. John
Polkinghorne, an Anglican priest and particle
physicist, argues that contemporary research
shows the universe to be much richer and
less predictable - and perhaps more open
to divine influence - that scientific theories
suggest.
Some would argue that physics
is a religion itself, because of its steadfast
belief in the laws and knowability of the
universe and its forces. Others would argue
that it is the diametrical opposite. One
school of thought portrays physics as the
universal religion, noting that laws of
physics and mathematics are fundamentally
the same around the world, while religions
vary. Proponents argue that making understanding
of the simple and irrefutable laws of nature
a worldwide religion would eliminate global
religious strife.
Oppenheimer and the
bomb: Another religious reference in
physics is the oft-quoted citation of the
Hindu sacred text, the Bhagavad-Gita (500
B.C.-50 B.C), by physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer
upon witnessing the first atomic bomb test.
Known as the father of the atomic bomb,
Oppenheimer reportedly thought of this Sanskrit
verse after seeing the all-illuminating
flash of the atomic weapon at the Trinity
test site on July 16, 1945: "If the
radiance of a thousand suns, were to burst
at once into the sky, that would be like
the splendor of the Mighty One." He
said years later that another verse from
the Bhagavad-Gita also entered his head
at that time. In it, the Supreme Being is
trying to persuade Prince Arjuna that he
should do his duty. To impress him, he takes
on his multi-armed form and says, "Now,
I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds."
Oppenheimer, a 1925 Harvard
graduate in chemistry, is best known for
his work in theoretical physics and as scientific
director of the Manhattan Project to develop
the first nuclear weapons. He also suggested
the existence of what we now call black
holes. What is less known is that he was
interested in religion, learned Sanskrit
and read the Bhagavad-Gita in its original
text, citing it as one of the most influential
books to shape his life philosophy.
Oppenheimer also reportedly
gave the Trinity Site its name, based on
a set of holy sonnets on the "three-person'd
God" (Father, Son and Holy Spirit)
by English poet John Donne, believing it
set a proper tone for the experiment. Nobel
Prize winner Isidor Rabi (1898-1988) said
Oppenheimer's interest in religion "resulted
in a feeling of mystery of the universe."
Though Oppenheimer saw physics clearly,
Rabi said, he also turned "away from
the hard, crude methods of theoretical physics
into a mystical realm of broad intuition."
Issues today: Those
working in physics face ethical issues over
nuclear power, safety, domestic energy,
weapons and nuclear buildup. Like the physicists
and politicians of the 1940s, they may face
tough ethical decisions, such as whether
more lives are saved or lost through introducing
nuclear warfare; or providing less expensive
energy and allowing more customers to afford
power in a form less likely to contribute
to "greenhouse gases," but that
in an accident could cause more critical
environmental and human harm.
Amid wars and threats of
war around the world (some with nuclear
capabilities, and some with religious overtones),
understanding of religion, diverse cultures,
beliefs and identities is important when
negotiating between nations in which religious
beliefs play a strong role. Researchers
could study whether and how much religious
beliefs impact beliefs in nuclear, physics
and astronomy research; how discoveries
compare with religious doctrine; or how
much religion and science impact people's
view of their place in the world.
From the perspective of
astronomy, researchers should be aware that
some religious believers adamantly discredit
discoveries of other universes, solar systems
and planets that may foster life, because
of beliefs that God created only humans
on Earth. At the very least, the possibility
of life on other planets poses challenges
to some religious beliefs, and could prompt
believers to question whether the same God
created all life in all universes or whether
those inhabitants have the same opportunities
for faith and redemption according to Earthly
religious beliefs. There are also religious
movements that believe life on Earth is
the result of life on other planets, or
that religious myths, beliefs and history
tell of visits from superior extra-terrestrial
beings rather than divine creation and intervention.
Those working in these
fields can understand that colleagues may
come at the study from religious or non-religious
backgrounds, which is especially helpful
when working in multidisciplinary teams.
Researchers may want to look at whether
religious affiliation or type of religion
impacts views about these sciences or how
they are practiced. Scientists can also
study how what they learn changes culture
and challenges and supports existing beliefs.
Science
and Christian Belief
Zygon:
Journal of Religion & Science
American
Academy of Religion Syllabi Search
Caring
for Creation: Religion, Physics and the
Environment
John Smedley
Bates College
Affiliation of Christian Engineers
American Scientific Affiliation: A Fellowship of Christians in Science
American Society of Engineers of Indian Origin
Association of Christian Engineers and Scientists: (503) 228-0779
Association of Christians in Mathematical Sciences
Association of Muslim Scientists & Engineers
Christian Academics
Christian Engineering Society
Christian Nuclear Fellowship
Fellowship of Scientists
International Muslim Association of Scientists & Engineers
• See a full list of professional associations and resources here.
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