Now, if I could just find a book on evolutionary theory that parallels what Simon Singh did with the Big Bang. Any ideas?

Right now I’m reading Ian McEwan’s “End of the World Blues,” which I really like, but I also enjoyed Mark Twain’s contributions, a section of Charles Darwin’s autobiography, and an essay by Elizabeth Anderson (whom I previously had never heard of).

There’s a lot of great stuff in this comprehensive anthology. I give it two opposable thumbs up!

Alright, I’ll have to check it out again. I’ll need another week to finish ‘The Portable Atheist’ but ‘Big Bang’ will be next in line

JimboB — I picked up The Portable Atheist, but haven’t read it yet. How do you like that one?

Maybe I should go reread it…

I’d second Hemant’s recommendation heartily. This is an amazing book and it is extremely easy to read.

I’ll third, and add that I’m definitely not a math person and I had no trouble with the math in the book. You can let your eyes glaze over the equations and pick up the narrative without the least problem.

As a fundy, I was raised to be suspicious and even hostile to science. As I was deconverting, I decided to check out science more objectively. To that end, I read this book and “A Short History of Nearly Everything” by Bill Bryson. They totally turned me around on science. Both highly recommended for the non-science, non-math individual who wants to dip their toes in.

What’s Behind the Saudi Monotheism Summit?

Distressed by what he described as disintegrating family ties, a rise in atheism and “an imbalance of reason, ethics and humanity,” the king announced plans for a new interfaith dialogue in which “believers of the three main religions: the Torah, Bible and Quran will be of priority.”

Wow, religious people talking about imbalance of reason?????

JimboB said

How much math is in this book anyway? Math is not my strong suit, but I loves me some science!

I’d second Hemant’s recommendation heartily. This is an amazing book and it is extremely easy to read. Not much math at all but it explains the concepts so clearly that a child could understand it and yet it does offer a lot for adults. Talking of children, I read the book to my 10 year old and she absolutely loved it. Some of it went above her head but for the most part, she was able to understand the material quite well.

As an aside, talking about Catholicism – one of the key scientists behind the big bang theory was a Catholic priest – Georges Lemaitre – who figures quite prominently in the book.

Raghu

I just love that what helped turned Gamow into a scientist was hearing in church that the bread and wine were the body and blood of Christ. and he wanted to test that theory. Not theologically true, but a great way of thinking about it.

Of course – agreed.

How much math is in this book anyway? Math is not my strong suit, but I loves me some science!

Not a lot of math. A few equations, but none that you “need” to remember to enjoy the book.

Hemant, to be fair – my understanding of Roman Catholic teaching concerning the Eucharist is that the physical substance doesn’t transform; the transformation takes place at a higher, “insubstantial” level – or something like that. I don’t believe any serious Catholic theologian would claim that Gamow would have seen anything different.

You’re probably right. Not to shortchange the comment, but I don’t think that’s the point. I just love that what helped turned Gamow into a scientist was hearing in church that the bread and wine were the body and blood of Christ. and he wanted to test that theory. Not theologically true, but a great way of thinking about it.