"Religion is an attempt to understand the purpose and meaning of our universe. Science is an attempt to understand how our universe works. Well, if there's a purpose and meaning, that must have something to do with how it works..."
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I would like to add to this something that was said on a BBC World Service science program. The discussion was the concept of multiverse. This is a theory that says that our universe is not the only one that exists. Of course, there is no proof of this, being that if we know something of this other universe, than it is, by definition, part of our universe and not another one. Why the theory? It is all a matter of statistics: the chance that the only universe that exists would develop in such a manner that it can support life like ours is infinitesimal. Conversely, if we asume that there a thousands of universes, possessing varying degrees of life-supporting qualities, then the chance that one of them could be like ours grows. Having said that, there is absolutely no proof of other universes, nor could there be. The clincher is a line at the end of the program, wherein one scientist comments as follows: "If this is the only universe that exists, than it is a great mystery."
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*Yes. I think there are even revelations in science....I sat on a park bench...and suddenly I had the idea...it was a revelation...like Moses wondering how to help his people.* Dr. Towne’s suggesting that revelations can, on some level, be explained as the firing of *neurotransmitters* in the brain, not as a vicarious form of thought from G-d through Moses, as tradition explains it.
Many things once considered metaphysical and beyond reason are able to be proven through the scientific method (observation, hypothesis, & testing predictions), but can religion ultimately be phenomenologically understood, not only supported, through science?
Is this compatible with notions of miracles that were said to have overridden the natural order, such as Kriyas Yam Suf, the burning Bush, manna for 40years, plagues in Egypt, and others?
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1) I don't see any mention in Mr. Townes' words about
"neurotransmitters" or anything about natural explanations for biblical miracles. Why are you assuming words in his mind/mouth?
2) Mr Townes, obviously, is not an orthodox Jew. Nor do I think that the editors of chabads.org meant to present his "take" on revelation as their own. They simply wanted to bring to our attention views of a leading physicist on G-d and the (non-) conflict of religion and science -- a view, which though shared by many leading scientists, is notoriously unrepresented in the popular press.
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I think the most important statement in this interview is that religion is about explaining the meaning and purpose of reality, while science tries to describe how it works. People need to realize the limitations of science, instead of assuming that if science can't/hasn't proved something, it can't exist. In fact, religion picks up where science leaves off, explaining that which our senses can't grasp. Additionally, since science has very specific methods and goals, there are necessarily areas where science has nothing to say.
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Mr. Jack raises a good point, that our understanding of the interview as quoted here is affected by it being on Chabad.org. Perhaps the editors could give an introduction to articles like these stating the purpose of posting them. That may help aviod misunderstandings as to the meaning of the content and give readers an opportunity to follow-up on the subject in different ways.
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Jack: "I don't see any mention in Mr. Townes words about
"neurotransmitters" "
The word neurotransmitter (related to the process of thinking) was a metaphor, I used, for Mr. Towens sudden revelation he received during a stroll in the park. But I can see how the meaning could be misunderstood.
Jack: "or anything about natural explanations for biblical miracles. Why are you assuming words in his mind/mouth?"
Please re-read the quote taken directly from the article where Mr. Townes compares his natural thinking to Mosess supernatural communication with G_d; something described, in the Torah, as a miracle explained through divine inspiration, not mirages or insightful thoughts, as Mr. Townes put it.
Also, thank you for pointing out that Mr. Townes opinions dont necessarily reflect Chabad.org's
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This is a very interesting comment. I must personally say, that if someone who knew nothing of the hebrews were to come across such a page on religion, they could "become jewish" per-say..
I admire this article very much..This whole website is fantastic!
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