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Entry 362, on 2006-07-12 at 14:27:38 (Rating 4, Science)

I read in USA Today that famous astrophysicist Stephen Hawking said that the previous Pope, John Paul II, once told scientists they shouldn't be studying the origins of the Universe because it was the work of God and belonged in the religious realm. I suppose everything once controlled by religion is now explained by science, so maybe religion still needs one ultimate area where they want science to keep out.

Surely the Pope never imagined his request would be taken seriously. If a UFO researcher was told to stop studying a landing site because the local UFO community had already decided it was a real visit by aliens would he take any notice? Of course not. The only people who want to stop scientific research are those who are scared their current beliefs will be overturned by real scientific study.

It has happened so often before. Superstitious religious beliefs have been replaced by scientific understanding. Even threats of death from the church haven't stopped it. Galileo's research replaced myths supported by the church. In 1992, the same Pope issued a declaration saying the church's denunciation of Galileo was an error resulting from "tragic mutual incomprehension." Really? I thought it was a church who knew it was wrong persecuting someone for daring to show the truth. Do they never learn? I suppose we should be thankful that at least scientists aren't placed under arrest or burnt at the stake for their beliefs now.

I really can't figure out religious people. If they have so much faith that their beliefs are true, why oppose scientific study which would presumably support those beliefs? I think its because, deep down, even the Pope knows his religious beliefs are untrue, and he just wants to delay the inevitable time when every last nonsensical myth is exposed for what it really is.

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