Description
This article is from the Astronomy
FAQ, by Joseph Lazio (jlazio@patriot.net) with numerous
contributions by others.
22 What about God and the creation?
By Joseph Lazio <jlazio@patriot.net>
Astronomy is silent on the matter of God and the creation.
Astronomy is based on applying the laws of physics to the Universe.
These laws of physics attempt to describe the natural world and are
based on experiments here on Earth and our observations of the rest of
the Universe. The key words are "natural world." It is obvious that
the existence of a supernatural being(s) is outside the realm of the
natural laws.
It should be noted that people do use the results of astronomy to
attempt to deduce the existence of God (or gods). Unfortunately, one
can reach two, equally valid conclusions:
* Many atheists (including some astronomers) argue that the
regularity of the natural world, combined with our apparent lack
of distinction in it (the Earth is just one planet, around one
star, in one galaxy, etc.), are compelling reasons not to believe
in any god.
* Many theists (including ordained ministers and priests who are
also astronomers) find the study of the natural world another
means of understanding God. The beauty, order, and sheer scope of
the natural world are profound clues to the power and intelligence
which created it all.
Since sci.astro is devoted to science of astronomy (i.e., the natural
world), sci.astro is not the appropriate forum for such a religious
debate. If you would like to discuss such things, you should go to
talk.origins, talk.religion.*, or maybe soc.religion.*
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science, engineering, astronomy, interstellar system, meteoroid, asteroid, sun, planet, light, distance, universe, matter
