The Veritas Forum: The Language of God (Francis Collins)

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"The Language of God: Intellectual Reflections of a Christian Geneticist"
February 4, 2008, at The University of California, Berkeley

Presentation by Dr. Francis Collins, head of the Human Genome Project and director of the National Human Genome Research Institute. Dr. Collins presents a case for harmony between faith in science and faith in God. He also shares about his personal intellectual and spiritual journey from agnosticism, to atheism, and to Christianity.

Followed by an interview conducted by Jasper Rine, Howard Hughes Professor and Professor of Genetics, Genomics and Development at UC Berkeley.

Followed by audience Q&A.

Visit http://veritas.org more recordings and information.

Channel: Education
Uploaded: February 8, 2008 at 10:54 pm
Author: ucberkeleyevents

Length: 02:04:27
Rating: 4.62
Views: 12096

Tags: uc ucberkeley university california berkeley veritas religion conflict templeton

Video Comments:
YARTES2K8 (January 7, 2009 at 9:48 am)
Some predictions have been found to be wrong and some right, and they can be withdrawn because this universe follows precise and defined fine-tuned physical and chemical laws, even Chaos follows interesting patterns and proved by the Chaos Theory itself. On the other hand, Science cannot proved things outside of the nature and its limits fall in just studying how the universe has been set up. However Science is able to prove whether all and we are self-made or not, so far, it has failed.
rilus (December 27, 2008 at 9:11 am)
Yartes... you never answered my question... Are you open to the possibility that your god doesn't exist?
YARTES2K8 (January 4, 2009 at 11:30 pm)
Rilus: To answer your question, yes I am open to that possibility, however I see it very far as I see no hard evidence for this universe to be self-made or the life coming from just chemical reactions. Issuing theories based on wishful interpretations of some evidence does not confirm or deny anything at all. I return your question: Are you open to the possibility that perhaps someone/somewhat set up this universe to create a few environments where complex living systems could evolve and adapt?
rilus (January 4, 2009 at 11:38 pm)
There's more to the Big Bang theiry than wishful thinking. For one, it has produced predictions that have now been proven. Also, short of magic man, it's the most reasonable explanation for the universe we observe.

To answer your question. I had answered that months ago. I said I definitely open to the possibility of my being wrong. It really makes no difference to me if there is some guy "outside" the universe who created it since the undetectable is indistinguishable from the nonexistent.
YARTES2K8 (January 5, 2009 at 9:57 pm)
When different and opposite conclusions are withdrawn from the same evidence, it tells me theories are definetely subjective. If there is a "magic man" outside the nature, I am sure He could have created this universe in many ways, including Big-Bang, Evolution, etc. theories that do not deny His existence.

To withdraw conclusions w/o evaluating the whole evidence is no scientific. The existence of an intelligent designer is definitely a big probability, science has not proven the opposite.
rilus (January 5, 2009 at 11:25 pm)
Forget the evidence that backs up the Big Bang. I mentioned predictions because predictions are made BEFORE we find the evidence. What kind of predictions have been made and been proven correct using a supernaturalist view of the universe?

Science make NO attempt whatsoever to even address the issue of a supernatural being creating the universe because by its very definition, it is not of nature, and therefore not quantifiable or qualifiable by science.
rilus (January 5, 2009 at 11:26 pm)
Also, what exactly do we gain by adding another layer of complexity to the Big Band and where would we stop?

Is it turtles all the way down?
rilus (December 27, 2008 at 9:09 am)
I didn't ask what the truth is and I never made any statements that our belief creates or forms truth.

I am merely asking if you're open to the possibility that your god may not exist.
eancarana (December 19, 2008 at 8:22 pm)
Quantum fluctuation, per Loop Quantum Theory.
eancarana (December 19, 2008 at 8:19 pm)
@ NephilimFree:

"You turn away from the truth because you seek to deny it." Let's be honest; this applies to you ;)