In the latest Newsweek, National Institutes of Health director Dr. Francis Collins explains why he has no problem believing in both God and science:
Basically, science is the way to uncover valid, trustworthy information about how nature works, about things about the natural world. But if you limit yourself to the kinds of questions that science can ask, you?re leaving out some other things that I think are also pretty important, like why are we here and what?s the meaning of life and is there a God? Those are not scientific questions. I simply would argue you need to be thoughtful when you?re asking a question?is this a faith question or a science question? As long as one keeps that distinction clearly in mind, then I don?t see a conflict.
Collins? words reminded me of a 2007 N.C. History Project presentation from Louisiana State political scientist James Stoner, who discussed the Founders? interest in both science and tradition. Stoner rejected the notion that the American Founding represented a triumph of reason over traditional beliefs.
