Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Answerer · 07-23-2002, 03:09 AM

So to sum up guys, is Hawking an atheist?

MrDarwin · 07-23-2002, 04:53 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Answerer:
<strong>So to sum up guys, is Hawking an atheist?</strong>

Define "atheist".

Albion · 07-23-2002, 10:53 AM

Anyway, I don't see why Professor Hawking's religious beliefs have anysignificance, except, of course, for the science-equals-atheism adherents. A lot of scientists are believers. It's a personal matter.

Bill · 07-23-2002, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Albion:
<strong>Anyway, I don't see why Professor Hawking's religious beliefs have anysignificance, except, of course, for the science-equals-atheism adherents. A lot of scientists are believers. It's a personal matter. </strong>

And, when asked directly about his beliefs about religion, Hawking has repeatedly declined to comment. So far as I know, he has never issued any public statement or writing that discloses his views on religion. We have only the inferances that might be gleaned from his writings and lectures, such as those I quote, above.

== Bill

outtawork · 07-24-2002, 08:42 AM

This is not a direct quote, but concerning Professor Hawking's definition of "god", I recieved this e-mail from his assistant.

Quote:

Professor S W Hawking appreciates your writing to him as he is always
pleased to receive letters. However, he very much regrets that due to the
severe limitations he works under, he does not have enough time to write
you a personal reply this time.
His answer to your question would be:

'I use the word God as a metaphor for the laws of nature'

Yours faithfully

Neel Shearer
Graduate Assistant to Professor Hawking

Thought is would help a little,
Outtawork

Skepticwithachainsaw · 07-28-2002, 10:15 AM

Well I read in an article about Hawkings (written by Bryan Appleyard) about his apparent contempt of Faith and Religion. (Which caused serious conflicts with his Ex-Wife). He seemed pretty Atheist there…

However Bryan Appleyard seems to have a thing against Hawkings and Sagen so I'm slightly skeptical about that article.
He seems to be all for the "humbling of science" and the harmony of science and Religion . You can tell he's from over here (the UK) because he doesn't seem to take fundamentalists into account… <a href="http://www.scottlondon.com/reviews/appleyard.html" target="_blank">This is a review of one of the books he has written, and it seems to illustrate his views.</a>

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07-23-2002, 03:09 AM	#11
Answerer Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Singapore Posts: 3,956	So to sum up guys, is Hawking an atheist?

07-23-2002, 10:53 AM	#13
Albion Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: US east coast. And www.theroyalforums.com Posts: 2,829	Anyway, I don't see why Professor Hawking's religious beliefs have anysignificance, except, of course, for the science-equals-atheism adherents. A lot of scientists are believers. It's a personal matter.

07-28-2002, 10:15 AM	#16
Skepticwithachainsaw Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: In your Imagination Posts: 69	Well I read in an article about Hawkings (written by Bryan Appleyard) about his apparent contempt of Faith and Religion. (Which caused serious conflicts with his Ex-Wife). He seemed pretty Atheist there… However Bryan Appleyard seems to have a thing against Hawkings and Sagen so I'm slightly skeptical about that article. He seems to be all for the "humbling of science" and the harmony of science and Religion . You can tell he's from over here (the UK) because he doesn't seem to take fundamentalists into account… <a href="http://www.scottlondon.com/reviews/appleyard.html" target="_blank">This is a review of one of the books he has written, and it seems to illustrate his views.</a>

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