Religion is based on faith. Faith does not require proof. In fact, = seeking for proof for miracles and events goes against the very basis of = faith and religion! Religion is typically based on non-repeatable, = supernatural events. Religion says, "This is true, believe it without = proof and despite alternative evidence." =20 Science is based on facts. Facts are deductions derived from what has = been shown to be false. Scientific theory is limited to explaining = repeatable events inthe natural world. Science makes conclusions based = entirely on evidence. This is completely contradictory to religion. =20 =20 Both religion and science have philosophical foundations, but the = dicotomy between the natural world and the supernatural world is a key = factor related to your question. =20 =20 Science cannot prove, disprove or even comment on supernatural events = because they do not occur under natural conditions. Typically = supernatural phenomena can we adequately explained objectively by = natural phenomena. The belief in a supernatural explanation goes = against scientific logic. =20 =20 I seriously doubt that any natural phenomena will ever be discovered = that can support or refute the existence of God or any other = supernatural entity. Certainly the Burgess Shale can be explained via = perfectly natural processes. =20 =20 One other big difference between science and many religions is the = logical process through which support is collected. Science says, "here = is the evidence, what does it say," whereas religion typically says, = "here is the conclusion, find evidence to support it." =20 =20 Not sure if this answers your question, but I hope this might clear up = some things related to what you are reading. I have not read this book, = but my guess is that the author has a poor understanding of the = difference between faith-based and evidence-based conclusions leading to = the ascertations found in this publication. =20 =20 VISIT HERPETOLOGICAL CONSERVATION AND BIOLOGY www.herpconbio.org = <http://www.herpconbio.org>=20 A New Journal Published in Partnership with Partners in Amphibian and = Reptile Conservation and the World Congress of Herpetology. =20 Malcolm L. McCallum Assistant Professor Department of Biological Sciences Texas A&M University Texarkana 2600 Robison Rd. Texarkana, TX 75501 O: 1-903-223-3134 H: 1-903-791-3843 Homepage: https://www.eagle.tamut.edu/faculty/mmccallum/index.html =20
________________________________ From: Ecological Society of America: grants, jobs, news on behalf of = Danielle Sent: Sun 9/3/2006 9:58 AM To: [email protected] Subject: Burgess Shale - *The Science of God* Dear All, I was recently reading Gerald Schroeder's book, *The Science of God,* which seeks to reconcile science with some religions and takes its claims from various scientific bio/paleo findings as well as from the Bible and Kabalists' teachings. Previous opinions of God aside, I found the book to be a fascinating read, but that is perhaps because my background with some of this information is deficient. One of his claims that God is supported by science is the evidence of the Burgess Shale fossils, and I am wondering if there are any opinions of this? I had never heard of these fossils, and it is my current understanding that they represent a wide diversity of invertebrates that sprang forth in the Cambrian period. Schroeder claims that according to theories of natural selection and random mutation, such a diversity could not have arisen in such a brief time period without a little design. Obviously there are various places on Earth where we can currently watch and test various processes of evolution, but I am wondering, what are the current opinions concerning the fossil record, and the Burgess Shale fossils in particular? Does anyone have any good sources concerning this subject? Thanks for your help, Danielle citation: Schroeder, Gerald. The Science of God. The Free Press. New York: 1997. __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com
