{"id":1764,"date":"2018-07-20T18:43:43","date_gmt":"2018-07-20T17:43:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sites.manchester.ac.uk\/religion-law-and-the-constitution\/?p=1764"},"modified":"2025-11-26T11:13:12","modified_gmt":"2025-11-26T11:13:12","slug":"the-priest-and-the-big-bang","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sites.manchester.ac.uk\/religion-law-and-the-constitution\/2018\/07\/20\/the-priest-and-the-big-bang\/","title":{"rendered":"The Priest and the Big Bang"},"content":{"rendered":"

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We felt that George Lema\u00eetre, who featured on the Google Doodle for his 124th<\/sup> birthday, really demanded our attention this week.\u00a0 Lema\u00eetre was a Roman Catholic priest, but also the scientist who came up with the Big Bang theory, and the idea that the universe is expanding.\u00a0\u00a0 In our generation, these concepts are not just the bread and butter of physicists, but have made their way firmly into realms of popular culture. Shortly before his death, Lema\u00eetre also discovered the existence of background cosmic radiation.\u00a0 A pretty outstanding set of achievements by anybody\u2019s standards.<\/p>\n

In a world where religion and science are so often presented as opposing perspectives, it is refreshing to be reminded that this is far from the case.\u00a0 Many high-profile scientists, both contemporary and historic, have been people of faith. It is misleading to suggest that individuals have to choose between rational and critical thought on the one hand, and being religious on the other.\u00a0 For very many people, these aspects of their worldview and identity sit comfortably side by side, often moving in tandem.\u00a0 Of course, it\u2019s fair to say that some <\/em>atheists find this compatibility strange, but ultimately, that is their subjective response to someone else\u2019s experience.<\/p>\n

In a global society which is increasingly divided along ideological lines, it is important that we don\u2019t erect artificial barriers between groups, or make individuals feel pressurised into choosing a side, and sacrificing a part of themselves in the process. Moreover, it is wise to avoid making assumptions about where other people might be coming from.\u00a0 One recent case illustrates our point. An Anglican priest was recently doing some church activities with children, talking about ammonites and making some models. From the accompanying narrative, it should have been obvious that the priest concerned fully accepted evolution, and was as enthusiastic about dinosaurs as the five year olds they were talking to.\u00a0 Nevertheless, an adult who was present failed to pick up on any of this, and revealed in conversation several days later that they assumed that the cleric concerned was a creationist, because \u2018well, vicars are\u2019.<\/p>\n

Stereotyping all people of faith as rejecting science is, in and of itself, an irrational stance, given that it cannot be reconciled with the evidence of thousands of men and women in universities, hospitals, laboratories and elsewhere making a massive contribution to society and science whilst being Jewish, Muslim, Christian, Hindu, Zoroastrian or Pagan, etc.\u00a0\u00a0 The flip side of this reality, must be confronted in relation to making concessions towards religious groups who oppose some aspects of scientific theory and teaching.\u00a0 Our general protection of religious freedom cannot, and should not include, insulated people from scientific thought.\u00a0 Therefore, at present, legislation allows parents to withdraw their children from Religious Education classes, but not to prevent \u00a0them from learning about evolution and genetics in science lessons.\u00a0 Furthermore, if schools are in receipt of state funding, they may not put forward Creationism as a scientific theory (although there are concerns about the effectiveness of policing this policy). Equally, if adults opt to study scientific courses at university level, they should expect to have to engage with the currently accepted theories within their field, regardless of their personal beliefs.<\/p>\n

Of course, this isn\u2019t to suggest that all religious people should be required to accept evolution, the Big Bang or any other theory.\u00a0 There are undoubtedly those who do not, and this should be respected in any democratic society.\u00a0 Nevertheless, freedom to reject a belief or scientific theory does not <\/em>equate to the right to be protected from having to hear about it, or even understand it for the purposes of public examinations.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 After all, very few people would be sympathetic to an atheist student who refused to study the Early Modern Period, asserting that they should be excused from learning about doctrinal debates between Protestants and Catholics in the era of Reformations.\u00a0 It goes without saying, it is impossible to study this period of European history without understanding a number Christian beliefs and the sometimes intricate distinctions between them.\u00a0 Equally, learning about biology in the twenty-first century without engaging with the theory of evolution is simply not a viable proposition.<\/p>\n

As an interesting final note, there is some evidence from recent research undertaken at University College London, suggesting that both Muslims and Conservative Christian Evangelicals are actually more likely to accept evolution if they have attended faith schools.\u00a0\u00a0 Although those behind the study acknowledge that the picture is complex, and there is more work to be done, the conclusion which appears to be emerging is not so surprising.\u00a0 If individuals feel themselves to be in an oppressed minority, and in the position of having to defend their identity, they are less likely to adopt an open and questioning approach, and more inclined to resort to a tribal \u2018them and us\u2019 stance.\u00a0 All in all, figures like Lema\u00eetre, who remind us that there is no necessary \u2018them and us\u2019 between religion and science, are much needed heroes in the current world.<\/p>\n

Related Articles<\/strong><\/p>\n

George Lema\u00eetre: Who was the Belgian priest who discovered the universe is expanding? <\/a>\u00a0The Independent <\/em>(18\/7\/18)<\/p>\n

Muslims and Evangelicals are more accepting of evolution if they attend faith schools<\/a> UCL: Institute of Education <\/em>17\/10\/17<\/p>\n

How to write about foods you can\u2019t stomach: a cucumber-hater\u2019s lament<\/a> The Washington Post <\/em>(6\/8\/15)<\/p>\n

Creationism still taught in faith schools despite government funding threat<\/a> The Telegraph <\/em>(2\/5\/15)<\/p>\n

Creationism banned from UK Schools<\/a> Huff Post <\/em>(25\/6\/14)<\/p>\n

Muslim Medics boycott lecturers on Darwin and evolution<\/a> The Times <\/em>17\/11\/11<\/p>\n

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