Book Review: The Language of God
“…no scientific observation can reach the level of absolute proof of the existence of God.” –Francis S. Collins, The Language of God
The Language of God: A Scientist Presents Evidence for Belief, 2006, p. 78
The Language of God, from Francis S. Collins is an attempt to merge science and faith, and more specifically Mr. Collins’ faith with science. I titled this post “The Language of Evolution” because I strongly believe that Mr. Collins does a fantastic job of showing the scientific truth of evolution, and hopefully leaving little doubt in the mind of the believers out there that evolution does not necessarily disprove a god. However, the desire of Mr. Collins seemed to be to somehow semi-prove his “God”. This quote above comes very early in his book, so I do admit that it was refreshing that despite his title he does accept the limitations that goes along with trying to merge faith and science. Mr. Collins presents over and over again the amazing nature around us down to our very DNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid), yet he fails to connect the dots to a literal evidence for belief.
The majority of this 272 page book simply presents over and over again the evidence for science, for evolution, but never a compelling argument for a god is offered. One of the things that I have noticed about these atheist “conversions” is that it is often someone who simply never really gave much thought to the idea of god. They have rarely been constrained by the fundamentalists versions of faith, and therefore kind of end up coming into faith through a more progressive belief system. Nevertheless, everyone from fundamentalists to progressive believers blast it over the airwaves as if it is some call to the world that clearly god is real. The problem with this is that it truly is a personal decision. One thing that thousands of years of religious influence, and more recent scientific influence has taught us is that religious belief is a personal decision, while science does not care what you believe. It is what it is, so to speak.
There is no harm in believing personally in a god, yet what I have a hard time grasping is the concept that anyone else needs to concern themselves with that unless they feel so inclined. Yet, Mr. Collins after admitting over and over again, in this book that supposedly moves the needle towards a belief in god, that god can not be proven by any natural method, somehow thinks that it is critically important that you also accept that belief and that your life will be enriched for it. Towards the end of the book Mr. Collins even uses the favorite evangelistic phrase, “Don’t put off…”. Somehow a Christian always finds a way to bring the urgency into the equation. Just think, you might die tonight! Where will you go? What will you do? I imagine I will be burned into ashes and spread over the land, maybe planted with a tree, or tossed out into the ocean. Or maybe someone will sweep my ashes up and put them in a trash bin. I do not think I will care much in that moment.
In short, Mr. Collins fails to present any evidence for a belief in a god, and even more specifically in his god. The only thing that Mr. Collins presents is questions, which is all that theist are ever able to present, because it is the only thing they have.
Warmly,
Bill
