2008 Woodie Awards
Priest doubts accuracy of creationism
God should stay out of classroom
By Kerry Fiallo
Issue date: 9/10/08 Section: News
George Coyne, an ordained Catholic priest and renowned astronomer, discussed intelligent design and evolution at a lecture Sept. 4 in the Mildred and Ernest E. Mayo Concert Hall.
"Evolution and Intelligent Design: Who Needs God?" explored the disparity between religion and science.
Coyne, who was director of the Vatican Observatory in Italy until his retirement in 2006, said intelligent design, or creationism, "belittles God."
"I am going to, for better or worse, take on the intelligent design movement in this country," Coyne began the lecture. "I'm not going to apologize on the statements I make."
The lecture, which began with a brief history of the universe, narrowed down the 14 billion year-old universe into one year, with human existence only coming in during the last two seconds of the year.
Coyne said it is impossible for science to fully embrace God.
"We seek for natural explanations of natural events. God is beyond this kind of explanation," he added.
Coyne narrowed down the complex argument between intelligent design and evolution to an argument between chance and necessity.
"If (the universe) was created by chance, who needs God?" Coyne asked. "If by necessity, then someone had the necessity. Someone designed it."
However, Coyne said this argument is not adequate enough for him.
He said although he believes in God, and believes God created the universe, he cannot believe in intelligent design as a scientist.
"God gave the universe a certain structure so we could come about, but he didn't predetermine it," he said. "He created the universe and then let it go."
Coyne spoke briefly about the religious and political implications of the debate between intelligent design and evolution.
"The chasm between religious faith and scientific research is falsely created, especially in this country," he said.
Coyne gave examples of conversations he has had with parents concerned their child was being taught evolution in school.
"Evolution and Intelligent Design: Who Needs God?" explored the disparity between religion and science.
Coyne, who was director of the Vatican Observatory in Italy until his retirement in 2006, said intelligent design, or creationism, "belittles God."
"I am going to, for better or worse, take on the intelligent design movement in this country," Coyne began the lecture. "I'm not going to apologize on the statements I make."
The lecture, which began with a brief history of the universe, narrowed down the 14 billion year-old universe into one year, with human existence only coming in during the last two seconds of the year.
Coyne said it is impossible for science to fully embrace God.
"We seek for natural explanations of natural events. God is beyond this kind of explanation," he added.
Coyne narrowed down the complex argument between intelligent design and evolution to an argument between chance and necessity.
"If (the universe) was created by chance, who needs God?" Coyne asked. "If by necessity, then someone had the necessity. Someone designed it."
However, Coyne said this argument is not adequate enough for him.
He said although he believes in God, and believes God created the universe, he cannot believe in intelligent design as a scientist.
"God gave the universe a certain structure so we could come about, but he didn't predetermine it," he said. "He created the universe and then let it go."
Coyne spoke briefly about the religious and political implications of the debate between intelligent design and evolution.
"The chasm between religious faith and scientific research is falsely created, especially in this country," he said.
Coyne gave examples of conversations he has had with parents concerned their child was being taught evolution in school.
Viewing Comments 1 - 4 of 5
JosephU
posted 9/09/08 @ 9:08 PM EST
Part of the article states:
"Coyne gave examples of conversations he has had with parents concerned their child was being taught evolution in school. (Continued…)
tfagan
Thomas Fagan
posted 9/10/08 @ 4:10 PM EST
Response to Kerry Fiallo's article about George Coyne (retired)who seems to still confuse Intelligent Design with religion.
If evolution is still considered a theory than certainly ID should be considered a theory in good standing. (Continued…)
James Kibelbek
posted 9/10/08 @ 4:42 PM EST
The Big Bang is a not true science but is a philisophic approach
to answer a question that true science cannot prove. In fact, it must be taken by faith and in reality stands as a religion. (Continued…)
Steve
posted 9/11/08 @ 1:37 PM EST
Please keep in mind that scientific theories are not to be taken lightly. A scientific theory requires that the scientific method is followed. A very important part of which is falsifiability. (Continued…)
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