No, the title is not a mistake. It’s just me taking the pee out of Martin Rees, supposedly one the UK’s great astronomers and scientific thinkers. However, it wouldn’t surprise me if he was into his astrology too, perhaps even tarot cards and voodoo.
Now, Richard Dawkins once said of the Templeton Prize that it is given “usually to a scientist who is prepared to say something nice about religion.” In the case of Rees this is certainly true. Apparently Rees has “liking for choral evensong in the chapel of Trinity College”. I think that tarot cards are wonderfully designed too! He also thinks science and religion are compatible. You mean just the bits that science hasn’t figured out yet. Religion gave up on the bits science could explain many centuries ago.
But then there is the issue of money. The Templeton Prize is worth $1 million, and the Templeton Foundation is a very rich organisation indeed. Is it right that the former President of the Royal Society should accept such a prize given the history between religion and science. What would Galileo think? The Templeton Foundation gives away an estimated $70 million to various groups every year, including lots of scientific groups. Is this the reason why so many scientists are willing to “say something nice” about religion? Something about the Templeton Foundation stinks.
But get this. Martin Rees is an ATHEIST. So why the hell is he accepting such a prize. Some have suggested it is a middle finger to the likes of Dawkins, who Rees thinks is far too “militant” in his atheism. Dawkins has called Rees a “compliant Quisling”, BTW. Personally, I’d follow the money.
So, for me, Martin Rees will now be known as The Compliant Quisling. Not as quite as militant as calling someone a “heretic”, or indeed, ordering them to death.
Jerry Coyne in The Guardian also makes many similar points here. (http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/blog/2011/apr/06/prize-mug-martin-rees-templeton)
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