Vicars for the public understanding of science… and faith
The General Synod voted overwhelmingly (241 in favour, 2 against, 2 abstentions) to accept a motion suggesting that “atheist scientists” are responsible for the bad press given religion by science and that more should be done to promote their compatibility.
Peter Capon, a lay member of Synod from Manchester diocese who tabled the Private Member’s Motion on the compatibility of science and religious belief, said that Christians believe the world exists because of the will of God whereas atheists consider this to be a “complete delusion”.
He went on: “We wish to refute the idea promoted by atheist scientists that science is on the side of the atheist in answering these sorts of questions.
“We wish to refute the perception that you have to choose between science and faith.
“We wish to refute the crude caricature of faith, as being blind and irrational, propagated by some atheist scientists.”
Dr Capon said he rejected the idea that science can answer every question, insisting that some insights into questions of existence go beyond scientific explanation.
However he conceded that Christians have sometimes been “caught” on the wrong side of arguments by doubting scientific evidence, such as the fact that the Earth is not flat and revolves around the Sun.
Dr Capon, a former computer science lecturer, admitted that some Christians are sceptical about science because it represents “atheistic modernism and capitulation to western culture”.
If Dr Capon wishes to refute the idea, the perception and the caricature, he’s welcome to do so, but he ought to remember that mere denial is not refutation. Refutation requires evidence.
The phrase “capitulation to western culture” is a strange one to use. Is this an admission that christianity is a form of eastern mysticism, and not after all the basis of western cluture as is often claimed? The phrase also implies that christianity is engaged in a war with “western culture”, whatever that is. Personally I would regard science and rationalism as worldwide endeavours and not confined to the western hemisphere.