Plague Journal, Science & Theology
It is Wednesday morning. I am certain that the spirited discussion the night before about the realms of science and theology is working to transform my psyche, the hidden submerged dialog within, — when I wake up remembering and thinking about words that were written, comments made, and positions taken with strong emotion. Eight of us joined by means of Zoom to discuss the essay by Tom McLeish entitled, Science + Religion. Holding the 7 pages in my hand this morning, aware of abundance of important, interesting material, — where, or how do I begin?
The writer is anxious to expose, to undermine what he believes is a false dichotomy, that is to say opposition between the development of the scientific method, and the religious “language game” which we commonly designate as theology. I suppose that he has a point, that is supported well enough by responsible scholarship. So what if the history of science ought not to be characterized as an act of resistance, of liberation from the unholy alliance of church and state, a rejection of the divine-right-of-kings doctrine. Granting the writer’s thesis, — still the opposition between authority arbitrarily imposed and the authority of reason is a live issue today. The ghost of the divine right of kings still lurks in the dark shadows. Government is the supreme authority. It is one that we can scarcely do without, and paradoxically an authority that unjustly deprives some of life and freedom. I have in mind the often fatal shooting of Blacks by police who unquestionably represent the state. Officers who commit these killings are seldom held to account and with great difficulty. How can such state-atrocity be opposed except by the authority of reason?
Finally there is this, a quotation from Immanuel Kant‘s Critique of Judgment published in 1790.
Between the realm of the natural concept, as the sensible, and the realm of the concept of freedom, as the supersensible, there is a great gulf fixed, so that it is not possible to pass from the former to the latter by means of the theoretical employment of reason.
I have added the emphasis of underline to the six words in the statement. Here in the essay the discussion turns to a comparison between what science (reason) discovers to be true of matter, of the energy exchanges which science can describe as “nature,” and the purpose of human life which theology affirms to be “freedom.” The axis of this consideration turns upon what is meant by freedom. Kant employs a definition of freedom that surpasses the mere satisfaction of basic requirements for nourishment, shelter, sex. A fulfillment of the essential identity of each of us as a one-of-a-kind individual is what is in mind here. The point being made is that we will not be able to get along without the language game of theology if we are to understand our quest for freedom.
As for a tune to hold onto in midweek…
Crocodile Rock
By Elton John
I remember when rock was young
Me and Suzie had so much fun
Holding hands and skimming stones
Had an old gold Chevy and a place of my own
But the biggest kick I ever got
Was doing a thing called “The Crocodile Rock”
While the other kids were rocking ’round the clock
We were hopping and bopping to the Crocodile Rock
Well Crocodile Rocking is something shocking
When your feet just can’t keep still
I never knew me a better time and I guess I never will
Oh Lawdy Mama those Friday nights
When Suzie wore her dresses tight
And the Crocodile Rocking was out of sight
But the years went by and the rock just died
Suzie went and left us for some foreign guy
Long nights crying by the record machine
Dreaming of my Chevy and my old blue jeans
But they’ll never kill the thrills we’ve got
Burning up to the Crocodile Rock
Learning fast as the weeks went past
We really thought the Crocodile Rock would last
Well Crocodile Rocking is something shocking
When your feet just can’t keep still
I never knew me a better time and I guess I never will
Oh Lawdy Mama those Friday nights
When Suzie wore her dresses tight
And the Crocodile Rocking was out of sight
I remember when rock was young
Me and Suzie had so much fun
Holding hands and skimming stones
Had an old gold Chevy and a place of my own
But the biggest kick I ever got
Was doing a thing called “The Crocodile Rock”
While the other kids were rocking ’round the clock
We were hopping and bopping to the Crocodile Rock
Well Crocodile Rocking is something shocking
When your feet just can’t keep still
I never knew me a better time and I guess I never will
Oh Lawdy Mama those Friday nights
When Suzie wore her dresses tight
And the Crocodile Rocking was out of sight
Lyrics composed by Elton John, Bernie Taupin