God's Mechanics: How Scientists and Engineers Make Sense of Religion

by Guy Consolmagno

• ISBN13: 9780787994662
• ISBN10: 0787994669
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2007-10-01
• Publisher: Jossey-Bass

Summary

In God's Mechanics, Brother Guy tells the stories of those who identify with the scientific mindset-so-called "techies"-while practicing religion. A full fledged techie himself, he relates some classic philosophical reflections, his interviews with dozens of fellow techies, and his own personal take on his Catholic beliefs to provide, like a set of "worked out sample problems," the hard data on the challenges and joys of embracing a life of faith as a techie. And he also gives a roadmap of the traps that can befall an unwary techie believer.With lively prose and wry humor, Brother Guy shows how he not only believes in God but gives religion an honored place alongside science in his life. This book offers an engaging look at how-and why-scientists and those with technological leanings can hold profound, "unprovable" religious beliefs while working in highly empirical fields. Through his own experience and interviews with other scientists and engineers who profess faith, Brother Guy explores how religious beliefs and practices make sense to those who are deeply rooted in the world of technology.

Author Biography

Vatican astronomer Guy Consolmagno is a Jesuit brotherwith advanced degrees from MIT and the University of Arizona.A highly respected planetary scientist whose research focuses on meteorites, asteroids, and dwarf planets, Consolmagno is the author or co-author of numerous books and publications, including Brother Astronomerand Turn Left at Orion.He even has an asteroid named in his honor (4597 Consolmagno, known to its friends as "Little Guy"). He has served as chair of the Division for Planetary Sciences of the American Astronomical Society and is a past president of Commission 16 (Planets and Moons) of the International Astronomical Union.

Table of Contents

Introduction: The Lord of the Techies	p. 1
Why would a Techie Believe in God?	p. 5
How Techies Believe	p. 7
Where God Is Useful	p. 19
Good Science, Bad Philosophy	p. 31
Why would a Techie Join an Organized Religion?	p. 45
Big Science, Big Religion	p. 47
The Functions of Religion	p. 61
The Dangers of Organized Religion	p. 71
What is the Techie Experience of Religion?	p. 87
Talking to Techies	p. 89
Listening to Techies	p. 97
The Rule of Rules	p. 119
Why would a Techie be a Christian?	p. 131
What Does the Truth Look Like?	p. 133
The Root of Christianity	p. 145
A Techie's Contemplation on the Trinity	p. 165
The Supernatural in Nature	p. 183
The Confession of a Vatican Techie	p. 201
Why Would a Techie Be a Catholic?	p. 203
How I Stay a Catholic	p. 213
Acknowledgments	p. 231
The Author	p. 233
Index	p. 235
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