Photo by Zoltan Tasi on Unsplash
God after Einstein: What’s Really Going on in the Universe
John Haught
Although Albert Einstein denied the existence of a personal God, he considered himself to be deeply religious, and he thought that good science cannot take place without religious faith—as he understood it. To comprehend what he meant by religion and faith, this presentation will place the celebrated physicist in “conversation” with his contemporary, the Jesuit geologist Pierre Teilhard de Chardin. The two scientists had been living in the United States when they died within days of each other in the spring of 1955. They never met, but what would they have said to one another in a conversation about God, the universe, prayer, and the relationship of theology to science? This talk, with the presenter as “moderator,” will attempt to outline Einstein’s thoughts on the universe and God by placing him in a hypothetical dialog with Teilhard.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Theologian John F. Haught of Georgetown University
John F. Haught is an American theologian. He is a Distinguished Research Professor at Georgetown University. He specializes in Roman Catholic systematic theology, with a particular interest in issues pertaining to physical cosmology, evolutionary biology, geology, and Christianity.
He has authored numerous books and articles, including Science and Faith: A New Introduction (2012), Making Sense of Evolution: Darwin, God, and The Drama of Life ( 2010), God and the New Atheism: A Critical Response to Dawkins, Harris, and Hitchens (2008), Christianity and Science: Toward a Theology of Nature (2007), Is Nature Enough? Meaning and Truth in the Age of Science (2006), Purpose, Evolution and the Meaning of Life (2004), God After Darwin: A Theology of Evolution (2000, 2nd ed. 2007), Science and Religion: From Conflict to Conversation (1995), The Promise of Nature: Ecology and Cosmic Purpose (1993, 2nd ed. 2004), What is Religion? (1990), What is God? (1986), and The Cosmic Adventure: Science, Religion and the Quest for Purpose (1984).
In 2002, Haught received the Owen Garrigan Award in Science and Religion, in 2004 the Sophia Award for Theological Excellence, and in 2008 a “Friend of Darwin Award” from the National Center for Science Education. He also testified for the plaintiffs in Harrisburg, PA “Intelligent Design Trial”(Kitzmiller et al. vs. Dover Board of Education).
Professor Haught has asked that copies of his slides and presentation be limited to Los Alamos Faith and Science members. Email Susan Sprage for access.