--- On Tue, 8/26/08, Fr. Ivo C da Souza <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > Dr.Santosh asked for a double-blind "control" (read below), admitting > himself that this is difficult for such rare cases. The proposed method > >itself excludes all miracles. >
The proposed method is what is called scientific method. Only when one follows that method can one honestly claim that an "intense scientific procedure" was conducted, or whatever else Fr. Ivo has claimed with regard to the international medical panel. Otherwise, as I have said, it is simply a bureaucratic committee meeting deciding everything by majority vote, and asking people to take their word for it. But this exchange between Jose and Fr. Ivo illustrates my position quite well - a position that Fr. Ivo has never been able to grasp. Both Jose and Fr. Ivo are Catholics who believe in miracles. Jose has repeatedly admitted it in this forum, including this time around in his first post in the "Lourdes miracles" thread. However, in stark contrast to Fr. Ivo, Jose has always said that he believes in them because of his faith, just like my scientific colleague and friend Jean-Baptiste here in Houston. These men of science never claim that there is scientific evidence for their beliefs, or that someone has conducted an intense scientific procedure to confirm their beliefs, or that their scientific reasoning somehow supports what they believe based on faith. That is why I respect their position, and have no argument against their beliefs. Fr. Ivo, on the other hand, despite the fact that he does not come from a scientific background, persists in making all kinds of bogus scientific claims in support of his beliefs, and in misrepresenting the nature of science and its purpose, in the service of his faith. That is why I am compelled to respond to his pronouncements about science in this public forum. Had he confined himself to preaching his religion, and expressing his pure faith in miracles and the supernatural, devoid of any reference to science, as Fr. Botelho and others have done in the past, I would have left him alone. Cheers, Santosh
