RELIGION AND SCIENCE.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 162, 11 July 1925, Page 16

RELIGION AND SCIENCE.

(To the Editor.) Sir, —In the course of a letter on the shortage of clergy in England, Mr. Norman E. Burton states that the conflict between religion and science is almost over. In support of this he relates that at the Modern Churchmen's Conference, held at Oxford last year, he heard some of the greatest scientists in the world declare that science has no quarrel with Christian theism. "Indeed, they said nothing that was incompatible with the creeds." These statements are gravely misleading, though without doubt uttered in good faith. On opening the proceedings of the above conference, Dean Inge stated that "the conflict between religion and science was still a , long way from beiny , reconciled. It was an open sore which poisoned the spiritual life of the civilised world." Although special efforts were made to get men of science to attend the conference, only five responded. Of these, three, Professors Mcßride, Lloyd Morgan, and J. S. Haldane are distinguished authorities in their respective spheres, iind of the other tow, Professor De Burgh is a name of little note, while Dr. Macpherson, an astronomer, is also a clergyman. Professor Haldane expressly stated that he was not a churchman. Professor Mcßride averred that he believed there was no such thing as sin, and the remaining scientist of eminence. Professor Morgan, believed in "a spiritual entity, which we must call God." In short, three English scientists were prevailed upon to state that they believed in a power that they could call "God." Thirty years ago no difficulty would have been experienced in getting thirty scientists willing to make such a profession. May I conclude with a quotation from Dr. Hector Macpherson's address to the congress which illustrates the distance between even that reverend gentleman's opinions and orthodoxy. "I don't know of a better statement of the bearing of modern astronomical concepts on the theological outlook than the words of Dr. Beard in his Hibbert lecture. ... 'I say it with the deepest respect for the religious feelings of others, but I cannot but think that the whole system of atonement . . . shrivels into inanity amid the light, the space, the silence of the stellar worlds.' And what Dr. Beard says of atonement is true of mcuh of our theological thinking on miracle, Christology, eschatology."—l am, etc., A. E. C.