My grandmother’s brother had degrees in mathematics and physics. He wrote several books on various subjects that are still relevant today. He worked as a scientist at Lawrence Livermore Lab and retired from there.
He was a devout Christian.
He was a fervent anti-communist.
It was my marriage and a lifetime of learning that brought me here. My wife is Christian and she introduced me to God via her actions and I wanted that, whatever it was (I had no idea what it truly meant at the time). I study mysterious things about the universe that just make more sense in a universe created by Him. Hard to put into words.
There was no "ah-ha!" moment. It was a slow realization that Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior and that God became flesh to save us all from our sins.
I went from atheist/agnostic (most of my life), to a kind of pantheism (for a few years I guess), to Christian (past few years). When the Truth is so obvious, it finds its way into your heart.
The Holy Spirit worked hard to get me where I am today. Still feels like I am living in some weird dichotomy, but I am coming to know God more every day and I know everything good came from Him.
In the same way, you wives must accept the authority of your husbands. Then, even if some refuse to obey the Good News, your godly lives will speak to them without any words. They will be won over by observing your pure and reverent lives.
1 Peter 3:1-2
I was atheist my whole life. Never went to church because my family didn't -- though we were conservative in every other sense. A few years back, thanks to my wife, I started reading the Bible and going to church.
I don't really talk to my colleagues about my faith, except a few of my friends who are also astrophysicists and also Christians. It just never comes up.
People in astrophysics generally don't care what you are, as long as you are doing interesting things and publishing lots of papers. Most of the people in the field are autistic (like me) and generally just love solving interesting problems. I had a problem in my life -- I had no hope. I had no reason for things. I wasn't nihilistic (thank God); I thought everything mattered equally (a strange problem to have).
God solves all of it and brings me joy, and I hope I do a good job representing Him.
I study black holes (excuse me, holes of color), cosmology, general relativity, gamma-ray bursts, etc. Knowing God created the universe makes these studies so much more meaningful. Otherwise, I am just a robot calculating away for no good reason other than to "advance knowledge."
Contractors feel the same way. Framing another house just to "advance the housing market" gets old after the fist 10 years. Deeper meaning is so key to fulfillment.
I'm sure growing in faith has brought you and your wife closer together as well
I grew up in faith, lost it getting a hard science degree, then found my way back with a few fits and starts.
For me I found 1. As a scientist I believed in truth and enlightenment and knowledge, and God is basically that personified. 2. My life just works better when I believe (like you said, God solves all of it)
I'm a scientist (physics/Elec. Eng.) that worked at Sandia Natl. Lab, and did my post-doc at MIT. I have met Christians everywhere, being one myself, of course. My group at MIT was also heavily Jewish, and really exceptional people.
Life and this world are complex. Their are some midwits who think they have achieved some higher level of mental capacity, that supercedes a religious capacity, but I've met some truly brilliant people over the years that were Christians, or at the very least religious.
For a fun read, check out my personal favorite super-genuis (maybe more so than even Einstein), Christian, super-anti-communist, John von Neumann.
He was not able to accept the proximity of his own demise, and the shadow of impending death instilled great fear in him.[208] He invited a Catholic priest, Father Anselm Strittmatter, O.S.B., to visit him for consultation.[18][207] Von Neumann reportedly said, "So long as there is the possibility of eternal damnation for nonbelievers it is more logical to be a believer at the end," referring to Pascal's wager. He had earlier confided to his mother, "There probably has to be a God. Many things are easier to explain if there is than if there isn't."[209][210][211] Father Strittmatter administered the last rites to him.[18] Some of von Neumann's friends (such as Abraham Pais and Oskar Morgenstern) said they had always believed him to be "completely agnostic".[210][212] Of this deathbed conversion, Morgenstern told Heims, "He was of course completely agnostic all his life, and then he suddenly turned Catholic—it doesn't agree with anything whatsoever in his attitude, outlook and thinking when he was healthy."[213] Father Strittmatter recalled that even after his conversion, von Neumann did not receive much peace or comfort from it, as he still remained terrified of death.
If someone says that religion is real, then I would say that it is only a cultural thing instead of the truth.
For the question on the existence of something which may or may not exist, it is impossible to disprove the non existence of any deity or a higher power. So, it is more logical to be agnostic rather than a believer or an atheist.
Von Neumann didn't believe in the same. It was out of fear, that he did try to use Pascal's wager to justify his belief in his final days.
Pascal's wager is too simplistic of an argument to make. Something similar on the other side would be the atheist's wager.
I don't totally disagree with you, but he was baptized into Catholicism in 1930, way before his death. Of course you could argue that it was so that he could marry Marietta.
"Prior to his marriage to Marietta, von Neumann was baptized a Catholic in 1930."
So, it would seem that there were at the very least, some Christian inclinations, in addition to Pascal's Wager. Christianity also teaches that even an 11th hour Christian is still a Christian, as well. You don't necessarily have to agree with that point, but that is the position of scripture.
So, in total, motivations aside, the guy was baptized in 1930, years before his illness, seemed to teeter on the side of Christianity, and did take a Christian stance on his deathbed. Yeah, I'll call that a Christian, but will acknowledge that it's subject to debate.
The most obvious conclusion would be that despite anecdotal evidence, this study shows that scientists are less religious in general.
A bolder claim from this would be that scientists, whom I would say are more intelligent on average, become more irreligious, because they study things more methodically, apart from religions being at odds with science.
Something interesting, which I found counterintuitive was that younger scientists are more religious than older ones. I think a probable reason for that may be because they might not have completely formed their views and may be reflective of the beliefs of their family and friends.
Another interesting thing I found is that the younger people seem to be more decisive of their views. Only 3 percent are shown to not know or didn't share.
While on the other hand, physicists are shown to be the most undecided or not their claim to not know. It isn't surprising to be honest. Their field of study does involve a lot of about matter and how things exist/how processes happen. So, it makes sense that they could claim to not know because it is a very difficult question.
Also, chemists seem to believe in gods more than most groups. I think a reason for that could be that they abstract out chemistry and keep it separate from religion. On the other hand, biologists seem to believe lesser. It is intuitive as well, because they do study about cells, organisms, the possible mechanisms about how things in organisms work.
So, while physicists and biologists believe in gods to a lesser extent, their perspectives are shaped by the questions they ask themselves. Such as the nature of life and the way matter/energy/waves exist and interact and interact. Chemists on the other hand would have a different perspective though.
I would really want to know what the percentages for psychologists and historians are.
Seemingly at odds but not necessarily. Depends on your theology. Whether God exists in the gaps of science or God exists for a higher purpose than this.
It's a shame, really, that many churches still teach evolution exclusionism. It's such weak theological grounds
My grandmother’s brother had degrees in mathematics and physics. He wrote several books on various subjects that are still relevant today. He worked as a scientist at Lawrence Livermore Lab and retired from there.
He was a devout Christian. He was a fervent anti-communist.
I am an astrophysicist. Just got baptized at the beginning of this year after a lifetime of being atheist/agnostic.
Thank you! I'd give more information, but I do not want to dox myself.
Well, we have three pieces of data from which we can triangulate your identity:
Working backwards from there, we can reliably conclude you are:
...
...
Awesome.
Congrats on the baptism, brother (or sister)!
It was my marriage and a lifetime of learning that brought me here. My wife is Christian and she introduced me to God via her actions and I wanted that, whatever it was (I had no idea what it truly meant at the time). I study mysterious things about the universe that just make more sense in a universe created by Him. Hard to put into words.
There was no "ah-ha!" moment. It was a slow realization that Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior and that God became flesh to save us all from our sins.
I went from atheist/agnostic (most of my life), to a kind of pantheism (for a few years I guess), to Christian (past few years). When the Truth is so obvious, it finds its way into your heart.
The Holy Spirit worked hard to get me where I am today. Still feels like I am living in some weird dichotomy, but I am coming to know God more every day and I know everything good came from Him.
That's so awesome.
In the same way, you wives must accept the authority of your husbands. Then, even if some refuse to obey the Good News, your godly lives will speak to them without any words. They will be won over by observing your pure and reverent lives. 1 Peter 3:1-2
Congrats! I bet the wondrous things you see in your work will have an extra special wonder to them now. 🤩
Yes, they do! Many of the great astronomers were Christian. I am part of a super-elite group of fellow autists.
💫🪐✨ so awesome 😎
Hey, congrats and welcome to the faith. How was your faith journey through science? What brought you to Christianity?
Thank you!
I was atheist my whole life. Never went to church because my family didn't -- though we were conservative in every other sense. A few years back, thanks to my wife, I started reading the Bible and going to church.
I don't really talk to my colleagues about my faith, except a few of my friends who are also astrophysicists and also Christians. It just never comes up.
People in astrophysics generally don't care what you are, as long as you are doing interesting things and publishing lots of papers. Most of the people in the field are autistic (like me) and generally just love solving interesting problems. I had a problem in my life -- I had no hope. I had no reason for things. I wasn't nihilistic (thank God); I thought everything mattered equally (a strange problem to have).
God solves all of it and brings me joy, and I hope I do a good job representing Him.
I study black holes (excuse me, holes of color), cosmology, general relativity, gamma-ray bursts, etc. Knowing God created the universe makes these studies so much more meaningful. Otherwise, I am just a robot calculating away for no good reason other than to "advance knowledge."
Contractors feel the same way. Framing another house just to "advance the housing market" gets old after the fist 10 years. Deeper meaning is so key to fulfillment.
I'm sure growing in faith has brought you and your wife closer together as well
I grew up in faith, lost it getting a hard science degree, then found my way back with a few fits and starts.
For me I found 1. As a scientist I believed in truth and enlightenment and knowledge, and God is basically that personified. 2. My life just works better when I believe (like you said, God solves all of it)
I'm a scientist (physics/Elec. Eng.) that worked at Sandia Natl. Lab, and did my post-doc at MIT. I have met Christians everywhere, being one myself, of course. My group at MIT was also heavily Jewish, and really exceptional people.
Life and this world are complex. Their are some midwits who think they have achieved some higher level of mental capacity, that supercedes a religious capacity, but I've met some truly brilliant people over the years that were Christians, or at the very least religious.
For a fun read, check out my personal favorite super-genuis (maybe more so than even Einstein), Christian, super-anti-communist, John von Neumann.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_von_Neumann
He was not able to accept the proximity of his own demise, and the shadow of impending death instilled great fear in him.[208] He invited a Catholic priest, Father Anselm Strittmatter, O.S.B., to visit him for consultation.[18][207] Von Neumann reportedly said, "So long as there is the possibility of eternal damnation for nonbelievers it is more logical to be a believer at the end," referring to Pascal's wager. He had earlier confided to his mother, "There probably has to be a God. Many things are easier to explain if there is than if there isn't."[209][210][211] Father Strittmatter administered the last rites to him.[18] Some of von Neumann's friends (such as Abraham Pais and Oskar Morgenstern) said they had always believed him to be "completely agnostic".[210][212] Of this deathbed conversion, Morgenstern told Heims, "He was of course completely agnostic all his life, and then he suddenly turned Catholic—it doesn't agree with anything whatsoever in his attitude, outlook and thinking when he was healthy."[213] Father Strittmatter recalled that even after his conversion, von Neumann did not receive much peace or comfort from it, as he still remained terrified of death.
If someone says that religion is real, then I would say that it is only a cultural thing instead of the truth.
For the question on the existence of something which may or may not exist, it is impossible to disprove the non existence of any deity or a higher power. So, it is more logical to be agnostic rather than a believer or an atheist.
Von Neumann didn't believe in the same. It was out of fear, that he did try to use Pascal's wager to justify his belief in his final days.
Pascal's wager is too simplistic of an argument to make. Something similar on the other side would be the atheist's wager.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atheist%27s_Wager
I don't totally disagree with you, but he was baptized into Catholicism in 1930, way before his death. Of course you could argue that it was so that he could marry Marietta.
"Prior to his marriage to Marietta, von Neumann was baptized a Catholic in 1930."
So, it would seem that there were at the very least, some Christian inclinations, in addition to Pascal's Wager. Christianity also teaches that even an 11th hour Christian is still a Christian, as well. You don't necessarily have to agree with that point, but that is the position of scripture.
So, in total, motivations aside, the guy was baptized in 1930, years before his illness, seemed to teeter on the side of Christianity, and did take a Christian stance on his deathbed. Yeah, I'll call that a Christian, but will acknowledge that it's subject to debate.
https://www.pewforum.org/2009/11/05/scientists-and-belief/
Interesting link, what conclusions do you draw from that?
The most obvious conclusion would be that despite anecdotal evidence, this study shows that scientists are less religious in general.
A bolder claim from this would be that scientists, whom I would say are more intelligent on average, become more irreligious, because they study things more methodically, apart from religions being at odds with science.
Something interesting, which I found counterintuitive was that younger scientists are more religious than older ones. I think a probable reason for that may be because they might not have completely formed their views and may be reflective of the beliefs of their family and friends.
Another interesting thing I found is that the younger people seem to be more decisive of their views. Only 3 percent are shown to not know or didn't share.
While on the other hand, physicists are shown to be the most undecided or not their claim to not know. It isn't surprising to be honest. Their field of study does involve a lot of about matter and how things exist/how processes happen. So, it makes sense that they could claim to not know because it is a very difficult question.
Also, chemists seem to believe in gods more than most groups. I think a reason for that could be that they abstract out chemistry and keep it separate from religion. On the other hand, biologists seem to believe lesser. It is intuitive as well, because they do study about cells, organisms, the possible mechanisms about how things in organisms work.
So, while physicists and biologists believe in gods to a lesser extent, their perspectives are shaped by the questions they ask themselves. Such as the nature of life and the way matter/energy/waves exist and interact and interact. Chemists on the other hand would have a different perspective though.
I would really want to know what the percentages for psychologists and historians are.
Seemingly at odds but not necessarily. Depends on your theology. Whether God exists in the gaps of science or God exists for a higher purpose than this.
It's a shame, really, that many churches still teach evolution exclusionism. It's such weak theological grounds