Science and the Catholic Church

Interesting isn't it?  When it comes to science and the Catholic Church there can be a tendency to assume conflict - well look at the Galileo affair!  Hold on a mo... wasn't that settled when ol' Gal won the day?  In fact it wasn't just the Catholic Church insisting that ol' Gaileo' was wrong... so were cosmologists at the time. 'Prehistoric Scientists' they may have been, but they were scientists and they were also just as wrong.  Galileo was right.  The idea that there's some kind of clash between the Church or Christianity in general and science is the kind of thing you can expect from a tanked-up atheist, but it's not the kind of thing a well informed Christian should be spouting.

Ever hear of the Augustinian Brother Gregor Johann Mendel?  No?  Ever hear of Genetic Science?  Brother Mendel is responsible for Genetic Science.  Now there's a surprise, a Religious Brother being responsible for modern Genetics... and here's the man himself (pictured).  Prior to Mendel and for a few decades after, a wide variety of theories about heredity proliforated.  Mendel's book (1866) on pea plants was re-discovered by Hugo de Vries, Carl  Correns and Eric von Tschermak and by 1915 the basic principles of Mendelian genetics had been applied to a wide variety of organisms, especially the fruit fly.

And if you think that's all, well think again.  There's more.  Here come's a shock for those who love to express scientific criticism of Christian belief.

Now I bet you haven't heard of Monsignor Georges Henri Joseph Édouard Lemaître! Or maybe you have...  He's a Belgian priest and scientist who proposed a theory long ago that fellow scientists jokingly referred to as "The Big Bang" Yep, it's that theory - the one about how the universe originated.  Not taken too seriously at first and criticised even by Eienstein, he was later to be proven correct in his postulations.

The links are provided for additional information on these lads.  But let's not miss the point.  It is abundantly clear that the Catholic Church takes science seriously and this has always been the case, despite one slip-up with Galileo who was proven correct.

Look further back in history and you will find that many of the great centres of learning in Europe were established by Celtic monks from the great Abbey's in Ireland and Britain.  Christians have nothing to fear from science, although science may fear the moral consciousness imposed by Christianity.  When we ask the scientist, "Hey mate, don't you think the two-headed sheep is pushing the limit a bit?"  We just may have a point and the scientist may not like that.

Criticise Christians if you want to - just don't use science to do it.  That's not going to work because we've a whole pack of scientists who are commited Christians to set on you. (Loud Rastberry).

The Day Draws Near.

It's getting close to Karin's birthday, September 5th.  This year, however, there's another day soon after - just four days later it will be the tenth anniversary of a day I think we can all remember only too well.



Nine Eastern is eight Central time, so yours truly was in bed at our home at East Rusholme, Davenport when Karin came into the room and turned on the television. She said, "A plane has just crashed into the World Trade Center."  My reaction was "The World what?"  I was not fully conscious... but the above is what I saw on television as it happened.  I actually saw the second plane hit and I knew immediately this was a terrorist attack.  I imagine the horror of that day will always remain with me.

Even though my home town of Oldham has a large Muslim minority, one year later the town flew the American flag at half mast outside the Civic Centre.  If Oldham has anything planned for this year, I don't know, but this Oldham lad will remember and keep the day with prayers and thoughts for the families who lost loved ones.

Security Level - Where we stand....In Europe.

My Thanks to Dan Honeycut for John Cleese's (AKA Q of MI6) contribution to the following detailed information regarding the security standing for Europe.

The English are feeling the pinch in relation to recent events in Libya and have therefore raised their security level from “Miffed” to “Peeved.” Soon, though, security levels may be raised yet again to “Irritated” or even “A Bit Cross.” The English have not been “A Bit Cross” since the blitz in 1940 when tea supplies nearly ran out. Terrorists have been re-categorized from “Tiresome” to “A Bloody Nuisance.” The last time the British issued a “Bloody Nuisance” warning level was in 1588, when threatened by the Spanish Armada.

The Scots have raised their threat level from “Pissed Off” to “Let’s get the Bastards.” They don’t have any other levels. This is the reason they have been used on the front line of the British army for the last 300 years.

The French government announced yesterday that it has raised its terror alert level from “Run” to “Hide.” The only two higher levels in France are “Collaborate” and “Surrender.” The rise was precipitated by a recent fire that destroyed France ‘s white flag factory, effectively paralyzing the country’s military capability.

Italy has increased the alert level from “Shout Loudly and Excitedly” to “Elaborate Military Posturing.” Two more levels remain: “Ineffective Combat Operations” and “Change Sides.”

The Germans have increased their alert state from “Disdainful Arrogance” to “Dress in Uniform and Sing Marching Songs.” They also have two higher levels: “Invade a Neighbor” and “Lose.”

Belgians, on the other hand, are all on holiday as usual; the only threat they are worried about is NATO pulling out of Brussels.

The Spanish are all excited to see their new submarines ready to deploy. These beautifully designed subs have glass bottoms so the new Spanish navy can get a really good look at the old Spanish navy.

Australia, meanwhile, has raised its security level from “No worries” to “She’ll be alright, Mate.” Two more escalation levels remain: “Crikey! I think we’ll need to cancel the barbie this weekend!” and “The barbie is canceled.” So far no situation has ever warranted use of the final escalation level.

Anyone who believes any of this is in serious need of a funny-bone transplant, due to lack of the same.

In addition I would also like to point out that my wife's ebook is still available. Click Here if you dare!