A lively debate over religion and science would be like The Merchant of Venice.

Then Pastor Daniel Singh would be Antonio of whom was demanded a pound of flesh. Justin de Freitas, Shylock the Jew, who in merry sport had signed such a bond with him. And Mr. Harold K. Jameson would be Portia, who agrees that indeed, “It must … be. There is no power in Venice can alter decree established.” Whereupon, this Shylock would exclaim, “A Daniel has come to judgment! Oh, wise young judge, how I do honour thee.”

Let me count the ways:  (1) “a well written letter by Mr. Harold K. Jamesson”; (2) “Mr. Jamesson astutely observed”; (3) “I agree with Mr. Jamesson”; and (4) “I wish to thank Mr. Jamesson for not only reading my letters but also for spending some of his time pondering on the things I wrote” (Fundamentalists take advantage of the poorly educated, GC July 19).

It is a play of much irony.

Mr. Jameson states, and Mr. de Freitas agrees, that “none of the ancient religions like Hinduism, Taoism, Buddhism or Confucianism conflicts with de Freitas’ ‘science’; it is only the Semitic religions which have difficulty or conflict with ‘science’ since these religions are dogmatic and they each claim … a monopoly [on] Truth.”

Here are the eastern religions (source: Wikipedia); and the echoes of de Freitas’ science:

(1) Hinduism is a diverse system of thoughts with beliefs spanning monotheism, polytheism, pantheism, monism, and atheism, and its concept of God is complex and depends on each particular tradition and philosophy.

(2) Taoism has never been a unified religion, but has rather consisted of numerous teachings based on various revelations. Therefore, different branches of Taoism often have very distinct beliefs.

(3) Buddhism, historically, [began] in the religious thought of Ancient India during the second half of the first millennium BC. That was a period of social and religious turmoil, as there was significant discontent with traditional Vedic religion (and more exactly its later form, Brahmanism), which had dominated India until then. [The Vedic religion] was challenged by numerous new ascetic religious and philosophical groups and teachings that broke with the Brahmanic tradition and rejected the absolute authority of the Vedas and the Brahmans.

(4) Confucianism is the product of a sage and social philosopher of China whose teachings have for many centuries influenced East Asia, including China, Korea, Japan, and Vietnam. His ideas were not accepted during his lifetime, and he frequently bemoaned the fact that he remained unemployed by any of the feudal lords. Confucius did not leave any writings of his own. Instead, we have only texts with recollections, passed down from his disciples and their students. This factor is further complicated by the burning of the books and burial of the scholars.

The picture one gets is of a world stumbling about just as now, looking for God in the darkness, aching for an understanding, a scientific explanation for life. If the contradictory evidence they offer altogether is ‘de Freitas’ science, however, woe be unto them who drink such wine. But if the consistent evidence one of them offers is ‘de Freitas’ science, then happy are those who are satisfied by its truth.

In Christianity was preserved the promise made to one man (Abraham) who did not start his theology but rather took the religious belief of his ancestors to the point of perfect confidence in the One and Only Eternal God — in the promise that “[through Abraham] ALL the families of the earth will [know of YHWH].” (Genesis 12:1-9)

Consider now the heights to which Christianity arose to the extent that it bore the responsibility for dividing the New World for gain among Old World kings: Pope Sixtus IV (Aeterni regis, 1481) to Pope Julius II (Ea quae, 1506). Even today, the influence still lingers, waiting patiently for the occasion to reassert itself. On July 7, 2009, the BBC reported the following statement issued by the Holy See:

“There is a strongly felt need… for a reform of the United Nations Organisation, and likewise of economic institutions and international finance, so that the concept of the family of nations can acquire real teeth… there is urgent need of a true world political authority.” Pope Benedict XVI (Caritas in Veritate, 2009)

This on the eve of the meeting of the world’s richest industrialized countries: USA, France, Germany, Italy, Canada, UK, Russia and Japan (rebuilt in the image of the US) – all secular democracies of Christian nations (except one). Are they not the ones who keep their brothers the Muslims happy by buying their oil? Are they not the ones who say to the Jews, “You too are our brothers; stop fighting”?

Are they not the ones who strut around the globe, stamping the residue with their feet, imagining large colonies in the sky, things that would never happen? Are they not the ones who bring science and technology to the heights we enjoy currently, bringing the news right into our living rooms? Are they not the ones who speak of ideals born out of Biblical philosophy, on whose wings is the knowledge of YHWH, by whose might the Cross is established in every corner of the world: Asia, Africa and the Americas not excepting?

That simple promise singularly made to a faithful pilgrim in a distant land so long ago is today our very reality on a global scale. Yet in the ascendency of India and China, politics, religion and science would bring what was once G8 to G10 and ‘de Freitas’ science would be, just as he would want it. Here is wisdom; let him who has understanding discern the seasons and the times in which we live.
MARK A.C. BLAIR