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Science And Religion: Are They Compatible? edited by Paul Kurtz
01/12/2007 . Source: Geoff Willmetts 
pub: Prometheus Books. 366 page enlarged paperback. Price: $21.00 (US). ISBN: 1-59102-064-6. Buy Science And Religion Are They Compatible in the USA - or Buy Science And Religion Are They Compatible in the UK  check out website: www.prometheusbooks.com
With a title like 'Science And Religion: Are They Compatible?' and considering the number of Science Fiction readers here, there's a fair bet you can draw your own answer here without being very far wrong.
There is so much self-promotion of things like creationism versus evolution that its rare to find books giving the opposite argument. Granted that I've been a little late finding this book, which after all came out in 2003, but it is still relevant. Indeed, several points made have already made me itch with story ideas which has to be good for any non-fiction book to inspire.
Most of the material within comes from a periodical called 'The Skeptical Inquirer' with various scientists expressing their views on how religion and science are in conflict. Although these people share a common view, their interpretation as applied to religion gives stronger views. When you consider that amongst the thirty-seven writers we have notables that you've heard of including Arthur C. Clarke, Richard Feynman, Steven Pinker and Richard Dawkins then you know they have something relevant to say on the subject. If anything, it's a shame we don't hear the contrary opinions here or indeed their comments on the articles themselves but that would no doubt illustrate why our porcine farm animals don't fly.
At the end of the day, religion is based on faith and ignoring physical evidence to the contrary. Faith can be used for many things but this is not one of them. It is interesting that one of these scientists does acknowledge that the one benefit of religion is in giving ethics to the population and if anything this is what science does lack. If anything, this clearly shows religion is for the metaphysical not the physical and its only when the two fields cross there are some serious conflicts.
The only real problem is whether or not the religious-orientated people will go and buy this book or are they so engrossed in their own world that they won't allow a book such as this the time of day. In that respect, I have to say that this is unfortunate. No matter what the subject matter is, if you can't look at both sides objectively then it makes it difficult to get an subjective opinion. If you have an interest in this subject then this is a good book to examine on the subject.
GF Willmetts
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