Stephen M Barr (1953–)

With a title like Modern Physics and Ancient Faith, one might expect another book describing the purported conflict between science and religion. Instead physicist Stephen Barr argues that "...the conflict is not between religion and science, it is between religion and materialism", a philosophical opinion closely related to science. He explains, "The basic tenet of so-called 'scientific materialism' is that nothing exists except matter, and that everything in the world must therefore be the result of the strict mathematical laws of physics and blind chance"—a statement that itself cannot be proven by science.

By drawing on many examples from modern physics, including the Big Bang, quantum theory, artificial intelligence, the quantum creation of the universe, and the multiverse, Barr shows that religious beliefs in general are neither irrational, as many claim, nor are they incompatible with the latest discoveries of physics. In fact it is often the materialist viewpoint that comes up short.

Incidentally, this book gave one of the clearest explanations of quantum theory that I have ever read, minus the technical jargon and mathematics.

Highly recommended.

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