Can you be a scientist and an Orthodox Christian?

[jlerms]

Hello,
I was discussing with my husband (who is not christian) about the FSM (flying spaghetti monster) and Bobby Henderson's ideas.  If any of you are unfamiliar with his hilarious website here it is: www.venganza.org/   ÃƒÆ’‚ However it is apparant that BH is poking fun at religion.  Anyway, my husband said that he would be suprised if there were any true scientists who were Orthodox Christians because that "archaic religion" is not compatible with scientific empirical evidence.  Therefore I decided to take a poll here to see if there are any scientists who are Orthodox Christians.  Thanks for your help.
God bless you all,   ÃƒÆ’‚ Juliana

[ania]

There are scientists who are Orthodox.
Besides my own family, where there are 2 cousins currently studying bio-chemistry, I know many other Orthodox who work in the scientific fields. 
Most notably is Bishop Alexander Miliant (may he rest in peace) ROCOR, who worked for NASA up until just a few years ago.  Often he would give lectures about how science has never been able to discredit religion, and with modern technology and research, it has only supported certain aspects of Christianity.

[jmbejdl]

I hold a first class honours B.Sc. (batchelor of science degree), so I guess that makes me a scientist (though I don't work as one). I'm glad to say that your husband's opinion is flat out wrong. I know many Orthodox with academic backgrounds in things like science and engineering and I really can't see any conflict between Orthodoxy and science.

James

[jlerms]

Thank you for the replies thus far and keep them coming.  I appreciate your participation.      J

[icxn]

See: Nikola Tesla. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tesla)

Quote:

Nikola Tesla (July 10, 1856 — circa January 7, 1943; baptismal name: Никола) was an inventor, physicist, mechanical engineer, and electrical engineer. He is often regarded as one of the greatest geniuses of technological progression. [2] In addition, Tesla is recognized among the most innovative engineers of the late 19th century and early 20th century. His patents and theoretical work form the basis of modern alternating current electric power (AC) systems, including the polyphase power distribution system and AC motor, with which he helped usher in the Second Industrial Revolution.
(...)
His father was Rev. Milutin Tesla, a priest in the Serb Orthodox Church Metropolitanate of Sremski Karlovci. His mother was Đuka Mandić, herself a daughter of a Serbian Orthodox priest, who was talented in making home craft tools...

Enjoy
icxn

[donkeyhotay]

...hilarious...

Hilarious?

[Αριστοκλής]

Juliana,
A while back in an Evolution thread we had an Orthodox member here state that he was a microbiologist and had no problem.

icxn has pointed out Tesla.

The inventor of the Pap Smear was a practising Orthodox Christian and I know tons on Orthodox physicians who are basically just working in applied research.

On a general note, a couple of month's ago the Wall Steet Journal had a piece on a poll/study of the scientific community in general on the topic of belief. (I have since discarded the issue, unfortuntately, so I must go from memory here.) The results shocked the reseachers. Of those who responded, and it was a large study, 45% of scientists in the behavorial sciences professed firm belief in a supreme diety. But, the surprise was the 56+% of physical scientists who so responded- geologists, chemists, physicists, astronomers, cosmologists, etc.
Don't know how many were Orthodox....

[Mo the Ethio]

I have a close friend from church who is the head of the geology department at a major mid-west university. He sees no conflict between Orthodoxy and science.

[jlerms]

Hooray!  I am pleased to hear that there are indeed scientists  who are Orthodox Christians.  Thank you for the replies....especially Aristokles, because it is important that "Physical" scientists, some whom espouse things such as the Big Bang theory and the evolution of man, can reconcile it all to the Triune God.  My husband periodically makes comments about how he says my faith is based on something that took place in antiquity.  Let me say that he doesn't have a problem with me being a Christian...but he feels that to be an Orthodox Christian I must reject modernity and technology.  It bothers him that I submit myself to the authority of the Church  (which he feels is sexist and Greek in culture).  I try not to bring up religion with him but it is difficult for him to not notice some things (such as fasting) which not only irritates him but also puts a damper on him participating in "extracurricular activities".  But that is for another thread.   Again, thank you all for your input.  Please pray for me to be patient and loving with  my husband Nick and for him.
God bless,    Juliana

[Ntinos]

Hello,
I was discussing with my husband (who is not christian) about the FSM (flying spaghetti monster) and Bobby Henderson's ideas.  If any of you are unfamiliar with his hilarious website here it is: www.venganza.org/    However it is apparant that BH is poking fun at religion.  Anyway, my husband said that he would be suprised if there were any true scientists who were Orthodox Christians because that "archaic religion" is not compatible with scientific empirical evidence.  Therefore I decided to take a poll here to see if there are any scientists who are Orthodox Christians.  Thanks for your help.
God bless you all,    Juliana Smiley

I'm a Computer Engineer, don't know if that stands enough for being a scientist or not. 

Well, anyways, tell your husband the greatest scientists of all time were Christians, some of them being Roman Catholic, or Anglican. Some big names are: Isaac Newton, Johann Kepler (who wanted to be a theologian), Sir William Thomson (Lord Kelvin, that would be), Pascal, Maxwell, Faraday, Pasteur and lots lots more. Fleming was a preacher I think.
I think (I may be mistaken) that even the director of Nasa, Wehrner von Braun was a christian.
Those were not Orthodox Christians however, for understandable reasons.
For one, I can point to a certain christian who is both Orthodox and a great scientist: the Metropolitan of Mesogaia kai Lavreotiki, Nikolaos, who studied Science at the Aristotlean University of Thessaloniki, then went forward to Harvard and Massachuchets for a Phd in Mechanology, Astrophysiks and Biotechnology. Then of course, he became a theologican, and a monk, and was soon to become a metropolitan as he is today.

That being the case, I can also point to St. Luke of Symferopole and Crimea, a devout doctor and... archbishop, who was declared a Saint by the Russian Orthodox Church just a few years ago. He lived during the difficult ages of the Soviet regime.

I'm pretty sure your husband needs an opinion shift on how 'archaic' Christianity is.

[Ntinos]

Nikola Tesla (July 10, 1856 — circa January 7, 1943; baptismal name: Никола) was an inventor, physicist, mechanical engineer, and electrical engineer. He is often regarded as one of the greatest geniuses of technological progression. [2] In addition, Tesla is recognized among the most innovative engineers of the late 19th century and early 20th century. His patents and theoretical work form the basis of modern alternating current electric power (AC) systems, including the polyphase power distribution system and AC motor, with which he helped usher in the Second Industrial Revolution.

Hooray! 

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