1. DAVEY LOOS: BIOCHEMIST
Dr Loos is a biochemist in Belgium. As a child he was raised to believe in God. When he got to university, he began to doubt the existence of God.

HIS STORY:
While studying chemistry at the university, I was taught that living things owe their designs to 'natural processes'. The professors were experienced scientists so I believed what they said. Eventually I found it difficult to accept the existence of God.

My work as a biochemist involved studying molecules found in cyanobacteria. These are ocean dwelling microorganisms which researchers think were the first living things on our planet.

They make their own food from sunlight, using an extremely complex chemical process which we still don't fully understand. I was amazed at how these tiny organisms harvest light with incredible efficiency. They capture every scrap of light energy that comes their way, doing this by means of highly sophisticated antenna. This energy is transmitted to food producing centers with nearly 100% efficiency.

The design of this light harvesting machinery has attracted the attention of solar-panel manufacturers. But of course, manufactured solar cells are no where as efficient.

I thought about engineers trying to imitate the marvellous mechanisms found in living things, and I came to the conclusion that life must have been designed by God.

- culled from Awake! October 2013 www.jw.org

2. PROFESSOR MASSIMO TISTARELLI - Designs Robots.
Tistarelli is a professor at the University of Sassari, Italy. He designs visual systems for Robots.

HIS STORY:
As a young man, I leaned toward atheism. I was taught that life originated by means of evolution and I accepted that as fact. Yet I felt there must be something higher than us. So I explored Buddhism, Hinduism and Taoism, but I found their teachings unsatisfactory.

I studied electrical engineering ay the University of Genoa, and then I did doctoral research in robot design. I specialised in studying the human visual system and devising ways to imitate it in designing robots.

Our visual system is incredibly sophisticated. For example, when you run to catch a ball, the lens of your eyes focus on the image of the ball. At the same time, your visual system calculates the speed of the ball and it's trajectory. Amazingly, the calculation starts right there in the retina as your eye estimates the movement of the ball in relation to the background. The whole process is breathtaking in its complexity.

In 1990, my sister gave me the book 'Life, how did it get here- by evolution or by creation? I examined evolution more closely. I realised I had accepted evolution without really questioning it. For example, I had assumed that evolution was well supported by the fossil record. But it is not. Indeed, the more I examined evolution, the more I became convinced that the theory is more bluster than fact.

Then I thought about my work with robots. Whose designs was I imitating? I could only conclude that we humans must have had a designer.

- summarized from article in Awake! February 2013. www.jw.org

3. DR. CELINE GRANOLLERAS -Kidney specialist in France.

HER STORY:
I was raised a Catholic, but I stopped believing in God at 16. For me, religion had no bearing on reality. Whenever people would ask me how life originated, I would answer: "Scientists can't explain it, but one day they will."

I became a kidney specialist because it combined research with the care of patients. I was doing research on the production of recombinant erythropoeitin, at that time a relatively new field of research.

I developed a deep respect for our bodies' sophisticated designs. For example, the way our kidneys control the amount of red blood cells in our bodies is awe inspiring. Our kidneys have oxygen sensors. When they detect an oxygen shortage in the blood, they activate the production of erythropoeitin which stimulates the bone marrow to produce more red blood cells, which will transport more oxygen. It's wonderful. Strangely I studied this process for more than 10 years before it struck me that someone must have designed such an elegant system.

After the 9/11 attacks, I began to ponder on the reason why we were surrounded by so much evil. I felt religious extremism endangered our future, but at the same time, I knew some Christians who were peaceable people. I decided to investigate the Bible myself.

I had read lots of history books and novels, but I immediately recognised that the Bible was different. It's advice is so practical that it must come from a source higher than man.
I was particularly intrigued by the way the Bible foretold the year of Jesus baptism. It showed exactly how much time would elapse between the 20th year of the reign of the Persian ruler Artaxerxes and the year Jesus would present himself as the Messiah.

I am accustomed to doing research- it's part of my job. So I researched history books and encyclopedias to confirm the dates of Artaxerxes' rule and the dates of Jesus' ministry. I concluded that this Bible prophecy had come true right on time, and that it must have been inspired by God.

- summarized from Awake! September 2013. www.jw.org

Trust me madam, if you want to base your Christian faith on scientists you are on shaky grounds since many are atheists and even many Christian ones adhere to principles you reject: abiogenesis, or Biblical errancy amongst other things.

I am not basing my faith on scientists. I started this thread to show that science and faith are not mutually exclusive.

4. KENNETH TANAKA - Geologist, USA
Kenneth Tanaka holds a Ph.d in geology. He serves on advisory commitees to NASA, has worked on mapping the geology of Mars, and supports spacecraft missions to Mars.

HIS STORY:
As a child, I attended Sunday school at a Baptist church, but mostly to participate in hiking and camping trips. The rest of my family showed no interest in religion or God. As I became acquainted with history and the atrocities religion had committed, my conscience impelled me to withdraw from church activities. I also began to doubt God’s existence, as science seemed to be able to explain just about everything.

I attended the California Institute of Technology,(CalTech) where I studied geology. My courses investigated geologic time and earth history as revealed in the fossil record. Regarding the fossil record, I was taught that species evolved. My understanding was that evolution had yet to be proved. Still, I felt that as a theory, evolution seemed to be a reasonable explanation for the available geologic evidence, especially when contrasted with popular creationism. When I heard of a forthcoming debate on campus between creationists and evolutionists, I decided not to go. It was obvious that the earth was not made in less than a week—as some creationists claim!

Although my training in evolutionary theory had crowded out belief in God, later I was forced to reconsider my views. For example, my trips to study the geology of the southwestern United States forced me to review my ideas on God’s existence. There, at night, while viewing the magnificent celestial panorama through the clear desert skies, I could not help but conclude that God must have created the universe. Astronomers had confirmed that the universe had a beginning, but I could see that there would never be a purely scientific explanation for why this event had taken place. It seemed reasonable to believe that an intelligent, powerful Creator had designed and produced the cosmos around us.

By the time I received my doctorate degree in the geological sciences in 1983, at the age of 27, I was mapping the geology of Mars for the U.S. Geological Survey. I serve on advisory committees for NASA, and work to support spacecraft missions to Mars. Through my research and professional responsibilities, I have met respected planetary scientists from many countries, universities, and research institutions.
All that training and research experience gradually corrected my romantic childhood view of science. I came to realize that science does not have and will never provide all the answers. In particular, I came to see that science does not provide enduring purpose or meaning to life.

In September 1981, I began to spend several hours each week carefully examining Scriptural teachings. To my surprise, I found substantial knowledge and deep insight in the pages of the Bible. I was fascinated with researching the scientific accuracy of the Bible and the fulfillment of hundreds of detailed prophecies applying to events occurring over thousands of years of human history. I was especially impressed by how the integration of multiple Bible prophecies—in the books of Daniel and Revelation—provides a solid basis for determining that we live in “the last days'.

Meanwhile, as I participated in formal scientific research, I came to see how many times theories had become widely accepted for a while, only to be proved incorrect later. Part of the challenge for scientists is that our subjects are complicated, while our data and research tools are limited. Thus, I have learned to be cautious about accepting as fact unproved theories, no matter how carefully they may be crafted.
Realistically, many fundamental aspects of our natural world cannot be explained by science. For instance, why are the available building blocks of life and the physical laws governing them perfectly suited to sustain complex life processes and ecosystems? While science is not equipped to reveal God, his inspired Word provides tangible evidence of his existence and activities as Creator. (2 Timothy 3:16) With this spiritual knowledge, we can appreciate the One responsible for the power, wisdom, and beauty evident in our physical world.

I came to understand that there is quite a lot of consistency between known scientific facts and proper understanding of the Bible. For example, the fossil record is shown to match the general sequence of the appearance of living forms described in the book of Genesis. Furthermore, a creative day as understood by the ancients can mean an epoch of extended duration, in much the same way as the terms “period” and “era” are used by science in describing earth history. Thus, the Bible is not at odds with scientific findings. It indicates that the creative days lasted aeons. It does not support the conclusion of creationists who believe that those days were each 24 hours in length.

As a scientist, I have no taste for credulity. But I have deep respect for well-founded faith. Trust in God’s promises is founded on established proof that the Bible is inspired by God. I saw the need to avoid common but baseless religious doctrines that contradict the Scriptures. These include the teachings of an immortal soul, hellfire, the Trinity, and others. Many such erroneous doctrines arose from ancient philosophy and mythology or from poor Bible scholarship. Adherence to false teachings has led to the ‘blind faith’ practiced by most religionists today, which has caused many scientists to have little regard for religion.
I still enjoy investigating Mars and other parts of the universe through the “eyes” of sophisticated spacecraft sent to explore our celestial neighborhood. However, I have come to appreciate that true meaning in life comes with accurate knowledge of God and his purpose for mankind, which is the real sense of Jesus’ words emblazoned on one of the seals of Caltech: “The truth shall make you free’

- summarized from Awake! Sept 22 2003. www.jw.org

honeychild: I am not basing my faith on scientists. I started this thread to show that science and faith are not mutually exclusive.

They are in a sense. In Hebrews, faith is defined as the evidence of things not seen. OTOH science always requires some level of experimental or statistical evidence and as such is different from faith in how it works.

Uyi Iredia:

They are in a sense. In Hebrews, faith is defined as the evidence of things not seen. OTOH science always requires some level of experimental or statistical evidence and as such is different from faith in how it works.

'As a scientist, I have no taste for credulity. But I have deep respect for well-founded faith. Such reliable faith is defined at Hebrews 11:1: “Faith is the assured expectation of things hoped for, the evident demonstration of realities though not beheld.” Trust in God’s promises is founded on established proof that the Bible is inspired by God.'
- Keneth Tanaka, the geologist whose story I just posted. (Awake! September 22 2003, pg 21.)

Meanwhile, what happened to your Bible reading posts? I was actually following it for a while, but I can't find it anymore.

honeychild: I am not basing my faith on scientists. I started this thread to show that science and faith are not mutually exclusive.

and the evidence you have for that is some deluded scientists right?

its high time you started thinking about who designed the god who designed you.

honeychild:

'As a scientist, I have no taste for credulity. But I have deep respect for well-founded faith. Such reliable faith is defined at Hebrews 11:1: “Faith is the assured expectation of things hoped for, the evident demonstration of realities though not beheld.” Trust in God’s promises is founded on established proof that the Bible is inspired by God.'
- Keneth Tanaka, the geologist whose story I just posted. (Awake! September 22 2003, pg 21.)

Meanwhile, what happened to your Bible reading posts? I was actually following it for a while, but I can't find it anymore.

It should be up in a week. I'm trying to catch up with missed passages and my BB which I used to upload comments is not connected for now. Give it some time.

ooman:

and the evidence you have for that is some deluded scientists right?

its high time you started thinking about who designed the god who designed you.

And who is really deluded here ?

truthislight:

And who is really deluded here ?

you havent given any reason why you think am wrong

5. PROFESSOR FRANTISEK VYSKOCIL of Charles University, Prague, is internationally known for his research in neurophysiology. Once an atheist, he now firmly believes in God.

HIS STORY:
I was raised an atheist, and my father often made fun of the clergy. I graduated from college in 1963 with degrees in biology and chemistry. In my school years, I believed that the theory of evolution explained life’s diversity.

In my postdoctoral work, I studied the chemical and electrical properties of nerve synapses. I also studied neurons, membrane pumps, transplantation, and drug desensitization. Many of the results have been published, and some articles have been selected as classical. In time, I became a member of the Learned Society of the Czech Republic, a community of scientists chosen by their peers.

I often wondered why many highly educated people, including some of my professors, believed in God—albeit quietly because of the Communist regime. To me, however, God was a human invention. I had also been outraged by atrocities committed in the name of religion.

My doubts about evolution began when I was studying synapses. I was deeply impressed by the amazing complexity of these supposedly simple connections between nerve cells. ‘How,’ I wondered, ‘could synapses and the genetic programs underlying them be products of mere blind chance?’ It really made no sense.

Then one day, I attended a lecture by a famous Russian scientist and professor. He stated that living organisms cannot be a result of random mutations and natural selection. Someone in the audience then asked where the answer lay. The professor took a small Russian Bible from his jacket, held it up, and said, “Read the Bible—the creation story in Genesis in particular.”

Later, in the lobby, I asked the professor if he was serious about the Bible. In essence, he replied: “Simple bacteria can divide about every 20 minutes and have many hundreds of different proteins, each containing 20 types of amino acids arranged in chains that might be several hundred long. For bacteria to evolve by beneficial mutations one at a time would take much, much longer than three or four billion years, the time that many scientists believe life has existed on earth.” The Bible book of Genesis, he felt, made much more sense.

His observations, along with my own nagging doubts, moved me to discuss the subject with several religious colleagues and friends, including a pharmacologist who was one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. For three years he explained the Bible to me and my wife, Ema. Two things amazed us. First, traditional “Christianity” actually has little in common with the Bible. Second, the Bible, though not a science book, actually harmonizes with true science.

My faith has changed me. Instead of being overly self-confident, highly competitive, and unduly proud of my scientific skills, I am now grateful to God for any abilities I may have. Also, instead of unfairly attributing the amazing designs manifest in creation to blind chance, I and not a few other scientists ask ourselves, ‘How did God design this?’

6. ENRIQUE HERNÁNDEZ-LEMUS - theoretical physicist, Mexico

HIS STORY: .
I am a theoretical physicist working at the National University of Mexico. My current work involves finding a thermodynamically feasible explanation for the phenomenon known as the gravothermal catastrophe, which is a mechanism of star growth. I have also worked with complexity in DNA sequences.

Life is simply too complicated to have arisen by chance. For example, consider the vast amount of information contained in the DNA molecule. The mathematical probability of the random generation of a single chromosome is less than 1 in 9 trillion, an event so unlikely that it can be considered impossible. I think it is nonsense to believe that unintelligent forces could create not just a single chromosome but all the amazing complexity present in living beings.

In addition, when I study the highly complex behavior of matter, from the microscopic level to the movement of giant stellar clouds through space, I am impressed by the elegant simplicity of the laws governing their motion. To me, these laws imply more than the work of a Master Mathematician—they are like the signature of a Master Artist.

People are often surprised when I tell them that I am one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Sometimes they ask me how I can believe in God. Their reaction is understandable, since most religions do not encourage their believers to ask for proof of what they are taught or to research their beliefs. However, the Bible encourages us to use our “thinking ability.” (Proverbs 3:21) All the evidence of intelligent design in nature, together with evidence from the Bible, convinces me that God exists.

- culled from Awake! September 2006.

ooman:

and the evidence you have for that is some deluded scientists right?

its high time you started thinking about who designed the god who designed you.

Ooman Ooman where are thou?

Your testimony of such is on the way.......just remember me in your prayer when it fully comes.

Emusan:

Ooman Ooman where are thou?

Your testimony of such is on the way.......just remember me in your prayer when it fully comes.

Why callest thou onto me?

I am always here, and i look forward to the day god will be totally rid off the human community!

ooman:

you havent given any reason why you think am wrong

You have not shown why those accomplished scientist are said to be "deluded" by you ?

truthislight:

You have not shown why those accomplished scientist are said to be "deluded" by you ?

thats simple, they believe in a god...

v

ooman:

thats simple, they believe in a god...

Hehehe. Funny chap !

You need to think deeper.
Straighten your ways/morals.
Build a conscience.

Then we shall see.

truthislight:

Hehehe. Funny chap !

You need to think deeper.
Straighten your ways/morals.
Build a conscience.

Then we shall see.

what shall we see?

ooman:

what shall we see?

Ability to comprehend beyond your 'finite mind' bounded by time, that comprehension leads to humility due to reality that will erase your infinite regress and then you can see the big picture.

how can you call yourself a scientist and still believe in some imaginary sky daddy? what a deluded lot

truthislight:

Ability to comprehend beyond your 'finite mind' bounded by time, that comprehension leads to humility due to reality that will erase your infinite regress and then you can see the big picture.

and what is the bigger picture?

ooman:

and what is the bigger picture?

That which is bigger than your mind, that which the finite human mind cannot contain.

The big picture > just as minute as human are in the univers, though we feel large inwardly, but the planet earth is like a spec of dust.

Humility helps one to know that there is more outside the box

truthislight:

That which is bigger than your mind, that which the finite human mind cannot contain.

The big picture > just as minute as human are in the univers, though we feel large inwardly, but the planet earth is like a spec of dust.

Humility helps one to know that there is more outside the box

If the human mind cannot contain it, how then do you comprehend this bigger picture.

7. BERND OELSCHLÄGEL - Germany. Dr. Bernd Oelschlagel holds a Ph.d in physics.

HIS STORY:

YOU may have heard some people claim that science contradicts the Bible. I have studied both, and I cannot agree with their claim.
. I started my university education in Stuttgart in 1983, and I continued my studies in Munich. Finally, I became a doctor of physics at the University of Augsburg in 1993.

My study of physics gave me a deeper grasp of the natural laws of the universe. I had hoped that science would ultimately reveal to me what life is all about, but when that didn’t happen, I travelled to India to learn oriental meditation. While it was a wonderful experience to see the country and people firsthand, my questions on the meaning of life and what the future holds remained unanswered.

Life took an unexpected turn in 1993 while I was writing my doctoral thesis on quantum physics. I was given a small book: You Can Live Forever in Paradise on Earth. I read it within a few days and found everything logical and reasonable. I learnt from it that it is God’s will for mankind to live forever in a paradise on earth. According to Bible prophecy, this promise will soon be realized. What a wonderful hope for the future! This hope touched my heart and brought tears to my eyes. Could this be what I had been searching for these last 20 years?
Some may wonder how a person who has spent years studying science can believe what the Bible says. Well, I find no contradiction between science and the Bible. As a physicist, I have studied the laws governing life, and these laws give evidence that they were designed by a superhuman intelligence.

For example, there are many theories in physics, chemistry, and biology. And although the theories may basically be simple, the mathematics associated with them can nevertheless be very demanding. Brilliant scientists suggest theories and are awarded the Nobel Prize for their work. How much more brilliant must be the intelligent Being who designed and brought into existence the universe, which scientists try so hard to understand!

To suggest, as many evolutionists do, that life developed by chance is stretching credibility too far. To illustrate: Place ten soccer balls in a straight line on a soccer field, each ball three feet [1 m] from the other. By kicking the first ball, try to make each ball hit the next one in line, so that all ten balls are hit. Furthermore, try to predict the final position of each ball. The probability of success is so remote that most people would likely regard the feat as impossible.

That being the case, how can anyone claim that the development of the human cell—involving processes far more complex than kicking soccer balls—could ever be achieved simply by chance? The most reasonable explanation is that a superintelligent Being created humans and all other forms of life on earth. Would this Being, who is the Creator, do such a thing without having a purpose? Of course not. He must have had a purpose, and that purpose is revealed and made understandable in the Bible.

As you can see, both science and the Bible helped me find answers to my long-standing questions about life. Can you imagine the huge sense of relief and pleasure you would experience upon finding something that you had sought over a period of 20 years? It is my heart’s desire to help as many others as possible to find what I finally found—not only answers to my questions but, more important, the proper way to worship the only true God, Jehovah!

- Summarized from Awake! November 22 2005.

ooman:

and the evidence you have for that is some deluded scientists right?

its high time you started thinking about who designed the god who designed you.

truthislight:

You have not shown why those accomplished scientist are said to be "deluded" by you ?

ooman:

thats simple, they believe in a god...

How intelligent and enlightened.

So far we have seen people who hold Ph.ds in biochemistry, geology, theoretical physics, a kidney specialist, a quantum physicist and a professor of neurophysiology.

Ooman, when you have achieved even a fraction of their academic achievements, then you can feel free to comment on the state of their minds.

Haven't you noticed that the more intelligent atheists: mazaje, plaetton, your big brother and hero logicboy have left this thread alone?

honeychild:





How intelligent and enlightened.

So far we have seen people who hold Ph.ds in biochemistry, geology, theoretical physics, a kidney specialist, a quantum physicist and a professor of neurophysiology.

Ooman, when you have achieved even a fraction of their academic achievements, then you can feel free to comment on the state of their minds.

Haven't you noticed that the more intelligent atheists: mazaje, plaetton, your big brother and hero logicboy have left this thread alone?

Don't mind Ooman........jare he's a professor that's why!

honeychild:





How intelligent and enlightened.

So far we have seen people who hold Ph.ds in biochemistry, geology, theoretical physics, a kidney specialist, a quantum physicist and a professor of neurophysiology.

Ooman, when you have achieved even a fraction of their academic achievements, then you can feel free to comment on the state of their minds.

Haven't you noticed that the more intelligent atheists: mazaje, plaetton, your big brother and hero logicboy have left this thread alone?

Are u indirectly telling me to leave your thread alone?

ooman:

Why callest thou onto me?

I am always here, and i look forward to the day god will be totally rid off the human community!

I callest thou just to know how you're feeling man

Just always remember me in your prayer when your testimony comes.

Emusan:

I callest thou just to know how you're feeling man

Just always remember me in your prayer when your testimony comes.

what testimony?