Science And Religion Discussions of religion and science miss the basic point that religion and theism, or belief in God, are not the same thing (B. Goodman, "Religious Scientists Sense The Divine In Their Work," The Scientist, Jan. 9, 1995, page 1). In fact, belief in God is not a central feature of all religions; one example is the more traditional forms of Buddhism. Trying to reintroduce God as a purpose in evolution is a new version of the "God of the gaps," as are many other attempts to s

Discussions of religion and science miss the basic point that religion and theism, or belief in God, are not the same thing (B. Goodman, "Religious Scientists Sense The Divine In Their Work," The Scientist, Jan. 9, 1995, page 1). In fact, belief in God is not a central feature of all religions; one example is the more traditional forms of Buddhism. Trying to reintroduce God as a purpose in evolution is a new version of the "God of the gaps," as are many other attempts to stitch things together.

The Scientist [page 11]. It is difficult to defend the needs of science against the demands of a panicky Congress. The pressure generated by Sen. Barbara Mikulski's (D-Md.) subcommittee is particularly dangerous to our country's future, for it may cause us to reduce funding for that which will bring truly new technologies. If we look back to the 19th century, we can identify strains that led to important modern technology. To cite

The Scientist [page 11]. It is difficult to defend the needs of science against the demands of a panicky Congress. The pressure generated by Sen. Barbara Mikulski's (D-Md.) subcommittee is particularly dangerous to our country's future, for it may cause us to reduce funding for that which will bring truly new technologies. If we look back to the 19th century, we can identify strains that led to important modern technology. To cite

False Impression A news brief in The Scientist (April ‘17, page 2) could give some readers the false impression that reconstruction of the Green Bank, W.Va, radio telescope is a pork barrel project (versus the “bonanza for astrophysicists” of a gravity wave detector). But the 300-meter telescope was ideal for certain kinds of survey work impossible with most modem high-resolution instruments Also, the loss of the radio quiet zone around Green Bank would be nearly impossible

Although I agree with much of William Provine’s editorial on the incompatibility of science and religion, I believe it goes too far. He equates incompatibility with the religions with which he is familiar with incompatibility with religion itself. He seems at one point to equate religion with theism. These are not the same thing. Buddhism (in its original form, and still today in Zen) can be characterized as an atheistic or agnostic religion. He denies free will (because choices are &#