Really excellent posts on science and religion

Read the Coyne article in the New Republic. Then read PZ Myers' commentary on Coyne.

As scientists we have to think about the incompatibility between religious belief and the reason of science. For me, the money quote comes from Richard Feynman:

"Science is a way of trying not to fool yourself. The first principle is that you must not fool yourself, and you are the easiest person to fool."

One comment I've heard about atheists is that they just won't shut up. That they're just too pushy, loud, disrespectful, and obnoxious. They are vocal, certainly, but their weapons are "only" words that espouse ideas. Surely one's faith isn't shaken by ideas, is it? Or is it? Mine was.

Self inspection is hard, and I'm no exception. But it's clear, the scales eventually have to fall from our eyes, or we fall short of being true scientists. Well, that's my story and I'm sticking with it.

This is all just food for thought in a hungry world. Enjoy.