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Bussi
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Catholicism17,
We must remember that the scientific methods are empirical in nature, that is, observation of physical phenomena in order to develop theories which then have to be proven, if possible, by more observation until enough data has been collected so that we can say that the theory is no longer a theory but has been reasonably established physical and scientific law.
How does one empirically examine/observe something that is beyond the physical universe? I claim it cannot without that leap of faith we all must make. We will never in this life find physical data that proves something that is supernatural does not exist. We cannot start with a desired answer and go through all sorts of convoluted reasoning to generate questions to support any claim that the answer is legitimate.
Atheists consistently come up against the question, “where did the stuff that makes up our universe come from?” and simply say “it has always existed.” in order evade addressing the question “how did it come into being in the first place?” , because, IMHO, it would be a fatal bow to their contention that there is no supernatural “First Cause,” i. e., God whom they do not believe exists and cannot prove does not exist by any scientific methodology.
I am a cradle Catholic, a degree in mathematics and training in physics, chemistry, astronomy, and engineering so I think I can legitimately claim to have some understanding of the scientific method. Using a particular field of mathematics it can be proven a bumble bee cannot fly but we can see (and know) that it does by using empirical, observational methods. However, the proof that it can’t relies on a particular field in mathematics that does not apply in the immediate environment surrounding the bumble bee. There is another field of mathematics that does apply and can explain why indeed a bumble bee can and does fly.
In analyzing anything, we must use tools proper to the subject at hand and not resort to unsupportable claims in order to prove one’s point. This is why those of us who believe in God and the supernatural must make that leap of faith using the attendant sanctifying and actual graces that are God-given gifts to begin with.
I wasn’t in any danger of losing my faith in college but somehow I was blessed by an encounter with a priest who had a Phd in Thomistic Theology or Philosophy (based on St. Thomas Aquinas’ works). I am sure this helped me keep a proper perspective w. r. t. my scientific academic training.
Bussi
We must remember that the scientific methods are empirical in nature, that is, observation of physical phenomena in order to develop theories which then have to be proven, if possible, by more observation until enough data has been collected so that we can say that the theory is no longer a theory but has been reasonably established physical and scientific law.
How does one empirically examine/observe something that is beyond the physical universe? I claim it cannot without that leap of faith we all must make. We will never in this life find physical data that proves something that is supernatural does not exist. We cannot start with a desired answer and go through all sorts of convoluted reasoning to generate questions to support any claim that the answer is legitimate.
Atheists consistently come up against the question, “where did the stuff that makes up our universe come from?” and simply say “it has always existed.” in order evade addressing the question “how did it come into being in the first place?” , because, IMHO, it would be a fatal bow to their contention that there is no supernatural “First Cause,” i. e., God whom they do not believe exists and cannot prove does not exist by any scientific methodology.
I am a cradle Catholic, a degree in mathematics and training in physics, chemistry, astronomy, and engineering so I think I can legitimately claim to have some understanding of the scientific method. Using a particular field of mathematics it can be proven a bumble bee cannot fly but we can see (and know) that it does by using empirical, observational methods. However, the proof that it can’t relies on a particular field in mathematics that does not apply in the immediate environment surrounding the bumble bee. There is another field of mathematics that does apply and can explain why indeed a bumble bee can and does fly.
In analyzing anything, we must use tools proper to the subject at hand and not resort to unsupportable claims in order to prove one’s point. This is why those of us who believe in God and the supernatural must make that leap of faith using the attendant sanctifying and actual graces that are God-given gifts to begin with.
I wasn’t in any danger of losing my faith in college but somehow I was blessed by an encounter with a priest who had a Phd in Thomistic Theology or Philosophy (based on St. Thomas Aquinas’ works). I am sure this helped me keep a proper perspective w. r. t. my scientific academic training.
Bussi