Paul Cottle is a professor of physics at Florida State University and one of the members of the state science standards writing committee. He worked closely with us in Florida Citizens for Science when he was one of the 10 pro-evolution speakers who went before the Florida Board of Education during the Feb. 19 meeting when the science standards were approved. He recently had an article published in the National Catholic Weekly about his experiences working on behalf of good science education, including evolution, while also being a Catholic.
As a physicist and a Christian, I have learned that faith and science need not be antithetical, that a deeper understanding of the natural world can inspire awe at the workings of God’s creation. Yet I have come to this understanding by working within the intellectual framework widely accepted by the scientific community, a framework that includes the tenets of evolution. This framework should also guide the teaching of young people, in Florida and elsewhere. The Catholic Church and its partners in the faith have no reason to fear the results.
I have to put a plug in for Paul here because he was so awesome to work with on the science standards. He is a working scientist who also understands pedagogy and teaches science education students at Florida State. His contributions on our new standards were invaluable!
I couldn’t agree more, Mary. He was a huge contributor (in many ways) to our efforts. It’s great to see him get some positive national exposure and put out our message in the process.
For religion to keep any credibility with the masses they need to embrace the framework of reality, then overlay their faith. They can fool the majority of true believers with distortions, but more and more they’ll gravitate to what the physical world is telling them. I’m glad people can enjoy their spiritual confines, and to hear someone do so without fighting (and even embracing) science is a good step forward.
Scientific: Based on falsifiable probabilistic evidence.
The scientific theory of evolution is limited by the above definition, as is all scientific theories.
If scientists or teachers of science go past this limit they are expressing their opinion, a concensus, or a philosophy.
We must maintain the purity of science. When scientists/teachers go beyond their expertise they have failed in their purpose. Evidence plus opinion does not produce a fact. All personal opinions and philosophies should only be expressed privately, if at all. …James E Gambrell
James E Gambrell
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The ole’ intolerance and bigotry of protestant fundamentalism rears its ugly head yet again. If Cottle were to follow the bible’s teachings using your own hate-filled literal interpretations, then he wouldn’t be very Catholic, now would he? I do sincerely hope you do find some sort of inner peace between your devotion to Christ and the real world. I’m sure it makes Jesus very sad to see you “promote” his teachings with such rabid animosity towards his many other diverse and faithful followers…