Have you read Isaac Newtons thoughts?

Question

Here is what he tought about true religion, atheism from his scientific perspetive.
http://www.newtonproject.sussex.ac.uk/texts/viewtext.php?id=THEM00007&mode=normalized
He is obviously a Christian. By many he is considered the father of modern science.
How do you think the modern scientific establishment would treat him? I think they would black list him. Like they just did the astromoner, Gonzalez. Who co-authored the "Privileged Planet".

http://www.geocities.com/howiemotz/

Answer 1

Yes, not this particular article but others (thanks for the link)...I've also read articles by Einstein and Hawking about their thoughts on religion and atheism.

I have no idea how the modern scientific community would treat him primarily because I don't know whether he would be significant if he lived at this time. His contribution to science is unquestionable and he advanced science immeasurably for over 200 years. However, modern theories including Einstein's Relativity have refuted much of what he thought. Would his abilities allow him to make a significant contribution in light of more recent theories by Einstein, Hawking, and other modern-era scientists?

Assuming that he did have that kind of timeless intelligence, that I would like to think that the true scientific community would welcome him despite his Christian beliefs. However, if, perhaps because of his beliefs, he chose to take unpopular positions, he would probably have a hard time getting published.

Of course, if he was as outspoken about his beliefs as he was in the link you provided, I'll agree that he would probably be blacklisted.

Answer 2

I think that like anything, you can't place all your eggs in one basket. Newton was a gifted scientist...that does not equate to being a gifted theologian.

In the very first paragraph, he says the the first religion was of Adam and Enoch, etc., etc. He is misinformed. It is certain that there were religions prior to those he mentions...they only work if you are already involved in a Judeo-Christian religion and accept their doctrine. Otherwise it would ignore all the religions that were established prior to the history of the bible.

Newton may have been blacklisted...especially if he made insupportable statements that completely ignored the available facts. However, there were many men of science that have had strong religious convictions that have been supported through the years. I think people step back when scientists try and use God in lieu of science to explain an observation. There is a difference between science and philosophy...and when philosophy is presented as science...well, it rubs the wrong way.

Answer 3

Yawn. So what if Newton was a christian? that was the default for Englishmen in the 17th century. Being otherwise would have led to his persecution by the markedly intolerant church of the day.

What is worth noting is that it was his science that Newton is remembered for. the principia mathematica changed the world. His religious writings have been pretty much ignored. The reason is probably that science is all about changing our understanding of the world while all religions want to preserver the status quo. If we relied on religious authority for progress we'd still be stoning each other to death for saying 'god does not exist'. oops thud.

Newton believed a lot of weird things. Much of his research was on topics that would today be considered "occult," such as alchemy and the like, stuff that you, too, would pretty much reject. As such, his "accomplishments" in one field don't detract from his true scientific accomplishments.

Answer 4

Yeah, the thing is, times have changed in the last 350 years.

Newton was most definitely a very devout Christian - an Arian Christian. The Arians denied Jesus' divinity, the concept of the Trinity, etc. In other words, he's not the kind of Christian you probably want to claim for your team.

But his scientific discoveries were due to his genius, his obsessive-compulsive nature, and his ego, among other factors. They had nothing to do with his religious ideas.

It's ironic that Newton helped usher in the "Age of Enlightenment," but he himself was a product of the old days, and his work reflects that. He was also intensely devoted to alchemy, for example. How does that fit in with "Newton the devout Christian"? The answer is that it doesn't; he was just a guy who wore a lot of hats, not all of which matched, at a particular crossroads in history.

Answer 5

the 1st reason and the best mover are in basic terms metaphysical needs. smart layout could seek for to anthropomorphicize a in basic terms precis thought right into a deity in preserving with pre-widespread ideals. i've got faith that newton possibly had no tendancy personify his thought of the 1st reason so as that he ought to % out with it as a deity. additionally he become greater attracted to gaining information of concerning the international than gaining information of approximately what preacher had to declare approximately scriptures in a e book. I doubt newton and dawkins could be enemys, the two are adult males of technology the only distinction is one perhaps felt greater non secular smitten by it than the different. God is a philosophical question not a non secular one. faith looks to faux to have "information" the place reason tells that there could be no thank you to "comprehend" at this component. i'm vulnerable to think of that newton become possibly humble adequate to admit that he does not actually be waiting to declare if the chrisian thought of god become a actual hazard I say this because of the fact he become existence like and known his limits as a humanbeing.

Answer 6

He wasn't a Christian. He translated the OT himself and rejected the divinity of Jesus. In any case, his theories stand detatched from his personal opinions. He also dabbled extensively in alchemy, but that doesn't impact on his science.

Answer 7

It might have something to do with the fact that he was living in a country where the church had the power. I believe that if he existed in our time he would be an Atheist.

Answer 8

But do you think that he would be a Christian in this day and age? Or even more interesting, if he was born in Afghanistan, wouldn't he have probably been a Muslim?

Answer 9

No but I am a big fan of his cousin -- Fig Newton. Makes a heck of a cookie.

Answer 10

As salaamu 'alaikym, my friend.

I think he may have been a Muslim! He follows the Abrahamic religions and is against idol worship, believes that we serve God so as to please God and professes his belief in One God.
If he had known that Muhammad (peace be upon him) was the messenger of Allah, Subhanna wa Ta'ala and had added that to his profession, he would have been a Muslim.

Alhumdulilah!

Ma'a salaam.