From Anupama Shrotri
It has been hilarious to read the letters responding to Keith Ward’s aggravating article on religion (27 November 2004, p 19). They ranged from name-calling (“lunatic” and “lame-brained”) through philosophising, to Steve Graham’s rigorous scientific argument.
Scientists are a touchy lot, and nothing gets them going as much as the allusions to a “supreme being”. However, it seems to me that they are merely replacing one god with another. Instead of the traditional “adore-me-or-be-damned” variety they have the “agree-with-me-or-be-condemned” version. The god of science wields Occam’s razor.
People with common sense seem to be caught between the devil and the deep sea. Neither a theologian nor a scientist seem to be able to provide answers to all the mysteries of the universe. Until such time as someone does, how about less bullishness and more humility? What we all need is an honest inquiry, not only into the “how?” but also into the “why?” of the universe, which may well be the only way to the god of truth.
Liverpool, UK
