‘CLASSICAL CONFLICT ENDED9

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30405, 2 April 1964, Page 3

‘CLASSICAL CONFLICT ENDED 9

(N.Z. Press Association) AUCKLAND, April 1. The classical conflict between science and religion is now “well and truly settled,” says Professor C. A. Coulson.

Professor Coulson, who is Rouse Ball Professor of Mathematics at Oxford University, has an international reputation for his lueid and pioneering work into the basic structure of . chemical molecules. His classical theoretical studies of the forces binding atoms together have won him high awards from many countries.

\But the tall, 53-year-old scientist is also a leading member of the British Methodist Conference, and a regular lay preacher—“and I have been for nearly 35 years, since my second undergraduate year at Cambridge," he said at Whenuapai today. He has been vice-president of the British Methodist Conference, and is a member of the central committee of the World Council of Churches. “I don’t draw any distinction between my approach to religion or to science, just as 1 don’t distinguish between work and play,” Professor Coulson said. “After all, as 1 tell both scientists and Church people, we are all dealing with the same universe. “The days of antagonism be-

tween science and religion are over, although not all scientists—and possibly not all Church people—would agree. 1 am, perhaps, unusual in that most scientists don’t stick their necks out and speak up about religion, but I am certainly not unusual in sharing both sincere religious and scientific views. “It is unusual to find anyone who is outstanding in mathematics or theoretical physics who is not religious, in the wide sense of the term. The biologists are coming around—Darwin has been digested and found not to be a stumbling block—and the social scientists are probably still to come.

“I feel that every branch of science in turn must go

through this phase of materialism, sparked off by the bitter conflicts of 100 years ago, before it can accept religion in the same terms as science with a clear conscience. “The attitude of the Churches to science, too, is much healthier today than at many times in the last 100 years. They no longer hold that every scientist has the

cloven hoof, if one looks closely enough.” Professor Coulson has been brought to New Zealand by the Methodist Church of New Zealand to address ministers, student forums and public rallies. He will speak in Auckland, Hamilton, Palmerston North, Wellington, Dunedin and Christchurch during his 19-day visit.