Thread by @RobertBohan

Thread: Have just realised it’s the traditional season for journalists & ‘opinion writers’ to trot out their ‘science v religion’ rants. Science is not a religion; if u think it is you’re not a scientist. Scientists are generally not all atheists either. 👇

I once had a chat with a respected & heroic Scottish professor of science (won’t be too specific as I don’t want to share his identity) which turned into a real heart to heart. This man was a personal hero to me.

He was born into extreme poverty as a child in the Gorbals in Glasgow. His dad died when he was 14 & he got a job to support his mother. Later he put himself thru A-Levels & was awarded a scholarship to a famous University. That’s heroic.

His abilities, kindness, understanding & support to colleagues, staff & students was legendary. As were the books & papers he wrote. His campaigning ranged from social issues to conservation. It’s no exaggeration to say he changed his adopted country.

So in the heart to heart, amongst ancient oak bookshelves, I asked him what did he make of ghosts (rather than how I’d ask now - what does the scientific community think of ghosts). Maturity means thinking how you pose questions (& maybe one day I will!).

So his eyes crinkled & he laughed with surprise. ‘Well’, he said, ‘it’s impossible to prove that they don’t exist (here he was teaching me the ‘prove a negative argument’). ‘And no one has proved that they do. So it’s a case of ‘not proven’ (a Scottish legal term - look it up)’.

Then he leaned forward & said almost wistfully ‘wouldn’t it be a very bleak world if there wasn’t any mystery?’ He sat back. ‘And there’d be nothing for us to do’, - gesturing towards me. I left delighted to have been called a scientist for the first time by a scientist &

It was later i considered the many layers of the conversation. Now as to God, does she exist? Is the Dagda grumbling at my lack of hunting or is the God of Christian Fundamentalists upset with me for trying not to hate people? Well I don’t believe in bleak worlds.

So have a mysterious Winter Solstice & remember to be good. Merry Christmas! (And yes I know there are some celebrity scientists who are ATHEISTS! I’m not sure they don’t believe in a higher power, but I am sure they like to be angry). Let’s just live & let love.

The drawing of the Madonna & Child is for someone who does believe in God & is one of those people that you meet that radiates a spiritual goodness (I’ve met only three in my life). Now I see it on a tiny screen She looks like She’s looking to our right, but zoom in &

She’s looking down & to the left. Mystery! Nollaig Shona Daoibh go Léir! (& remember correlation & causation are two different & mysterious things).

Just to be clear I’m not doing down religiosity or atheism. As long as each is personal, & not forced on others, we’re grand!