Many thanks to John Kusel and Hugh Trevor for their contributions to the evolution debate (February issue). After seven months it’s surprising that this, thankfully good natured, discussion continues.
I am grateful to John for mentioning Rupert Sheldrake (The Science Delusion). One of Sheldrake’s early themes is relevant to our fascinating discussion. He argues that: “Scientists play the role of an established priesthood, influencing government policies on the arts of warfare, industry, agriculture, medicine, education and research.” He traces the concept of a ‘scientific priesthood’ back to Francis Bacon (1561-1626). Here’s Sheldrake’s description of Bacon’s uncanny prediction: “Bacon envisaged that the scientific priesthood would… be linked to the state through patronage, forming a kind of established church of science.” Effectively, Sheldrake posits that a scientific oligarchy has supplanted the medieval church and its priesthood as the only source of incontrovertible authority in today’s Western culture. And while many scientists are also Christians, the most influential caucus of the ‘priesthood’ is atheistic or even anti-theistic. The title of David Williams’ book captures today’s climate well, Taken Without Consent: How Atheists Have Hijacked Science (Kindle Direct Publishing, 2020).
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