Reflections on Religion, Intelligent Design, and Ambiguity in the Universe

This paper uses an historical perspective to illustrate the ambiguous way scientific data, that has implications for understanding our place in the universe, has been interpreted. It is shown that the data can be interpreted from a theistic or atheistic perspective. Scholars of the history and philosophy of science have concluded that theism can never be derived from the argument of design, including the recent proposal of intelligent design. It is also shown that while ambiguity appears fundamental to certain scientific and biblical concepts this need not be a cause for alarm. While it is argued that religious experience can never be derived from scientific knowledge and draws upon deeper issues than intelligence, recent scientific understandings give us no reason to doubt the value of religious experience. In fact, it could be argued that there might be a case for treasuring religious experience