Expert: Marco - 11/27/2006

Question
Dear Marco,

Thanks for your previous explanation, my family's explanation for interpreting the bible was simular to what you told me.

Your articles on the exsistance of the Soul and God are great! It's nice to have someone on the Theistic side to explain why Science only goes so far as to our exsistance, and that God is very real and we have a Soul.

Why is it so difficult for Scientists to believe in God?

My question related to reading that so many Scientists (aprox. 10% of "top" ones are Theistic and 30% of all are Theistic) Then I read a list of Catholic and other Christian Scientists over history and in the present, and I thought that was great.

I speculate it's because they're profession is purely "evidence" related, on what can actually be proved.

Maybe Atheists have personal issues they associate with religion? I'm trying to understand why someone would not want to believe in God.

-Maybe bad experience associated with the "people" of the church eg. Abuse, cruelty and don't realize it's the "people" who did them wrong, that God would highly condemn such a thing!?

-maybe they grew up in a Fundamentalist-type of denomination who took everything literally, were considered "Bible thumpers" and couldn't answer questions in realtion to Science and Religion, like Catholics seem to be able too?

-Maybe they grew up in a "wishy-washy" religion, and never considered Religion important/they couldn't seek answers ffrom anyone either?

-Maybe it's just their personality type -loner/skeptical, or made skeptical with issues of trust and authority in their past?

Do you think these personal factors could have effect on "faith" of someone entering into an "Evidence" related feild?

Do you find it difficult being a Catholic who is a Scientist?  

Answer
Dear JT,

By no means I find it difficult being a Catholic who is a scientist. I know many other catholics scientists as well as many atheist scientists. I think that the existence of God can be rationally proved, but only those who are ready to accept this truth have the clear-sightedness necessary to understad such proves. In fact, the existence of God is a truth having very strong consequences on our life and implies a deep humilty. In fact, if a God exist, He is certainly much more powerful than us, and He can judge and punish us. I think that the atheists are so freightened by the idea of God that they unconsciously try to convince themselves that God does not exist and then they refuse every evidence of His existence. Consider that the original sin cosnsists in pride; Adam desires to become like God, he desires not to be any longer subdued to God.
In psycology, there is a process called "remotion"; when something frightens a person too much, this person can unconsciously remove its memory.
I think something like that happens with the atheists.
They do not accept the idea of a Superior Being, and they are so frightened by this idea that they convince themselves that no such Being exists.

Your brother in Christ,

Marco