Scientists who were believers in God
Saturday, 21 May 2011
Enayet Rasul Bhuiyan
Stephen Hawking is a British astrophysicist. He is well known in the field of theoretical Physics and Cosmology. He is famous for his research on space, time, origin of the earth and universe, black holes, etc. Most of his research works are based on calculations and the theories are still absolutely unproven. But the subjects of his research drew worldwide attention perhaps for the reason that he has remained paralyzed for the last 49 years of his life and could yet write through computers about his theories while remaining strapped to a wheel chair. Nonetheless, the coherence and intelligence in his research despite his very seriously disabled conditions, drew admiration and created wonders. That is why he has become a household name in the twentieth century and the present one for exercising such intellectual powers defying his handicapped condition. But in sum, Hawking has accomplished little like the giant physicists of the past like Sir Issac Newton or Albert Einstein. The former discovered gravity and the latter introduced the theory of relativity which is about the relationship of mass and energy. Both, thus, helped in the big leaps forward for Physics in the last century and varied scientific developments in diverse fields that followed based on their theories. Hawking by comparison has lent very little or nothing to utility based Physics for which Newton, Einstein and the likes of them are remembered. He has been more a celebrity for making attractive statements or rather his assumptions on issues that have always winked in people's minds like how the universe or the earth were created and other issues of interest in cosmology. But cosmology is still only a budding science full of only hypotheses of the sorts produced by Hawking. The latest from Hawking is that he gave an interview to the Guardian paper last week. In it, he underlined that there is no God, no heaven or hell or afterlife for humans but only darkness after death. Hawking's observations will boost the morale of the atheists. But would not change the fact that most of the greatest scientists of all times had warmly endorsed the idea of the existence of an All Mighty Creator. Let us see what they said : Nichols Copernicus (1473-1543) was the Polish astronomer who put forward the first mathematically based system of planets going around the sun. We all know about him and read about his accomplishments in our science text books. Copernicus referred sometimes to God in his works, and did not see his system as in conflict with the Bible. Sir Franis Bacon (1561-1627) was a scientific philosopher who is known for establishing the scientific method of inquiry based on experimentation and inductive reasoning. In De Interpretatione Naturae Prooemium, Bacon established his goals as being the discovery of truth, service to his country, and service to the church. There is hardly any educated person who has not heard about Bacon or remains unaware of his great renown. Bacon said : "It is true, that a little philosophy inclineth man's mind to atheism, but depth in philosophy bringeth men's minds about to religion; for while the mind of man looketh upon second causes scattered, it may sometimes rest in them, and go no further; but when it beholdeth the chain of them confederate, and linked together, it must needs fly to Providence and Deity." Johannes Kepler (1571-1630) was a brilliant mathematician and astronomer. He did early work on light, and established the laws of planetary motion about the sun. He also came close to reaching the Newtonian concept of universal gravity - well before Newton was born! Kepler did his works while remaining a staunch Lutheran Protestant Christian , a devout believer in God . Rene Descartes (1596-1650 ) was a French mathematician, scientist and philosopher who has been called the father of modern scientific philosophy. He had a deep religious faith as a Roman Catholic, which he retained to his dying day, along with a resolute, passionate desire to discover the truth. God was central to his whole philosophy. Rene Descartes and Francis Bacon (1561-1626) are generally regarded as the key figures in the development of scientific methodology. Both had systems in which God was important, and both seemed more devout religiously than the average for their era. All of us must have read about Sir Isaac Newton (1642-1727) in our science text books. In optics, mechanics, and mathematics, Newton was a figure of undisputed genius and innovation. In all his science (including chemistry) he saw mathematics and numbers as central. What is less well known is that he was devoutly religious and saw numbers as involved in understanding God's plan . In his system of physics, God is essential to the nature and absoluteness of space. In Principia he stated, "The most beautiful system of the sun, planets, and comets, could only proceed from the counsel and dominion of an intelligent and powerful Being." William Thomson Kelvin (1824-1907) was foremost among the small group of British scientists who helped to lay the foundations of modern physics. His work covered many areas of physics, and he was said to have more letters after his name than anyone else in the Commonwealth, since he received numerous honorary degrees from European Universities, which recognized the value of his work. He was a very committed Christian, who was certainly more religious than the average for his era. Interestingly, his fellow physicists George Gabriel Stokes (1819-1903) and James Clerk Maxwell (1831-1879) were also men of deep Christian commitment, in an era when many were nominal, apathetic, or anti-Christian. The Encyclopedia Britannica says "Maxwell is regarded by most modern physicists as the scientist of the 19th century who had the greatest influence on 20th century physics; he is ranked with Sir Isaac Newton and Albert Einstein for the fundamental nature of his contribution." Max Planck (1858-1947) made many contributions to physics, but is best known for quantum theory, which revolutionized our understanding of the atomic and sub-atomic worlds. In his 1937 lecture "Religion and Naturwissenschaft," Planck expressed the view that God is everywhere present, and held that "the holiness of the unintelligible Godhead is conveyed by the holiness of symbols." Planck was a churchwarden from 1920 until his death, and believed in an Almighty, All-knowing, Beneficent God. Albert Einstein (1879-1955) is probably the best known and most highly revered scientist of the twentieth century, and is associated with major revolutions in our thinking about time, gravity, and the conversion of matter to energy (E=mc2). He recognized the impossibility of a non-created universe. The Encyclopedia Britannica says of him: "Firmly denying atheism, Einstein expressed a belief in God who reveals himself in the harmony of what exists." So, from the above it should be crystal clear that Hawking stands rather isolated in his views that God does not exist among members of his own scientific community, past and present. Hopefully, this trend will only continue to affirm more and more the certainty of God's existence. As it is, from reading the Holy Koran and matching the scientific propositions made in it with what are tested to be scientifically true today, one finds that the scientific truths do not clash with the statements in the Koran. None but an Almighty God or the All powerful Creator Himself could deliver these truths about His existence and creations fourteen centuries ago when scientific research was at its infancy.
Stephen Hawking is a British astrophysicist. He is well known in the field of theoretical Physics and Cosmology. He is famous for his research on space, time, origin of the earth and universe, black holes, etc. Most of his research works are based on calculations and the theories are still absolutely unproven. But the subjects of his research drew worldwide attention perhaps for the reason that he has remained paralyzed for the last 49 years of his life and could yet write through computers about his theories while remaining strapped to a wheel chair. Nonetheless, the coherence and intelligence in his research despite his very seriously disabled conditions, drew admiration and created wonders. That is why he has become a household name in the twentieth century and the present one for exercising such intellectual powers defying his handicapped condition. But in sum, Hawking has accomplished little like the giant physicists of the past like Sir Issac Newton or Albert Einstein. The former discovered gravity and the latter introduced the theory of relativity which is about the relationship of mass and energy. Both, thus, helped in the big leaps forward for Physics in the last century and varied scientific developments in diverse fields that followed based on their theories. Hawking by comparison has lent very little or nothing to utility based Physics for which Newton, Einstein and the likes of them are remembered. He has been more a celebrity for making attractive statements or rather his assumptions on issues that have always winked in people's minds like how the universe or the earth were created and other issues of interest in cosmology. But cosmology is still only a budding science full of only hypotheses of the sorts produced by Hawking. The latest from Hawking is that he gave an interview to the Guardian paper last week. In it, he underlined that there is no God, no heaven or hell or afterlife for humans but only darkness after death. Hawking's observations will boost the morale of the atheists. But would not change the fact that most of the greatest scientists of all times had warmly endorsed the idea of the existence of an All Mighty Creator. Let us see what they said : Nichols Copernicus (1473-1543) was the Polish astronomer who put forward the first mathematically based system of planets going around the sun. We all know about him and read about his accomplishments in our science text books. Copernicus referred sometimes to God in his works, and did not see his system as in conflict with the Bible. Sir Franis Bacon (1561-1627) was a scientific philosopher who is known for establishing the scientific method of inquiry based on experimentation and inductive reasoning. In De Interpretatione Naturae Prooemium, Bacon established his goals as being the discovery of truth, service to his country, and service to the church. There is hardly any educated person who has not heard about Bacon or remains unaware of his great renown. Bacon said : "It is true, that a little philosophy inclineth man's mind to atheism, but depth in philosophy bringeth men's minds about to religion; for while the mind of man looketh upon second causes scattered, it may sometimes rest in them, and go no further; but when it beholdeth the chain of them confederate, and linked together, it must needs fly to Providence and Deity." Johannes Kepler (1571-1630) was a brilliant mathematician and astronomer. He did early work on light, and established the laws of planetary motion about the sun. He also came close to reaching the Newtonian concept of universal gravity - well before Newton was born! Kepler did his works while remaining a staunch Lutheran Protestant Christian , a devout believer in God . Rene Descartes (1596-1650 ) was a French mathematician, scientist and philosopher who has been called the father of modern scientific philosophy. He had a deep religious faith as a Roman Catholic, which he retained to his dying day, along with a resolute, passionate desire to discover the truth. God was central to his whole philosophy. Rene Descartes and Francis Bacon (1561-1626) are generally regarded as the key figures in the development of scientific methodology. Both had systems in which God was important, and both seemed more devout religiously than the average for their era. All of us must have read about Sir Isaac Newton (1642-1727) in our science text books. In optics, mechanics, and mathematics, Newton was a figure of undisputed genius and innovation. In all his science (including chemistry) he saw mathematics and numbers as central. What is less well known is that he was devoutly religious and saw numbers as involved in understanding God's plan . In his system of physics, God is essential to the nature and absoluteness of space. In Principia he stated, "The most beautiful system of the sun, planets, and comets, could only proceed from the counsel and dominion of an intelligent and powerful Being." William Thomson Kelvin (1824-1907) was foremost among the small group of British scientists who helped to lay the foundations of modern physics. His work covered many areas of physics, and he was said to have more letters after his name than anyone else in the Commonwealth, since he received numerous honorary degrees from European Universities, which recognized the value of his work. He was a very committed Christian, who was certainly more religious than the average for his era. Interestingly, his fellow physicists George Gabriel Stokes (1819-1903) and James Clerk Maxwell (1831-1879) were also men of deep Christian commitment, in an era when many were nominal, apathetic, or anti-Christian. The Encyclopedia Britannica says "Maxwell is regarded by most modern physicists as the scientist of the 19th century who had the greatest influence on 20th century physics; he is ranked with Sir Isaac Newton and Albert Einstein for the fundamental nature of his contribution." Max Planck (1858-1947) made many contributions to physics, but is best known for quantum theory, which revolutionized our understanding of the atomic and sub-atomic worlds. In his 1937 lecture "Religion and Naturwissenschaft," Planck expressed the view that God is everywhere present, and held that "the holiness of the unintelligible Godhead is conveyed by the holiness of symbols." Planck was a churchwarden from 1920 until his death, and believed in an Almighty, All-knowing, Beneficent God. Albert Einstein (1879-1955) is probably the best known and most highly revered scientist of the twentieth century, and is associated with major revolutions in our thinking about time, gravity, and the conversion of matter to energy (E=mc2). He recognized the impossibility of a non-created universe. The Encyclopedia Britannica says of him: "Firmly denying atheism, Einstein expressed a belief in God who reveals himself in the harmony of what exists." So, from the above it should be crystal clear that Hawking stands rather isolated in his views that God does not exist among members of his own scientific community, past and present. Hopefully, this trend will only continue to affirm more and more the certainty of God's existence. As it is, from reading the Holy Koran and matching the scientific propositions made in it with what are tested to be scientifically true today, one finds that the scientific truths do not clash with the statements in the Koran. None but an Almighty God or the All powerful Creator Himself could deliver these truths about His existence and creations fourteen centuries ago when scientific research was at its infancy.