Brother Sun, Sister Moon
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Regional Minister the Revd Mary Taylor has been sharing thoughts on science and religion through her local newspaper group in Wakefield:-
Watching the footage of the moon landings from 50 years ago and hearing the stories of the astronauts and their support team makes us aware again of the amazing science that made that first step on the moon by Neil Armstrong possible. Now India is aiming for the moon, launching Chandrayaan 2 – Moon Chariot 2 – to set a rover on the dark side of the moon. Science and religion are often understood to be in opposition – offering two incompatible answers to the same questions. But a poll of scientists found that half believed in some higher power or God. Francis Collins, who led the Human Genome Project, says ‘The God of the Bible is also the God of the genome. God can be found in the cathedral or in the laboratory.’ Amazing scientific knowledge is held by many within the framework of a belief in divine action. The creation account in Genesis asserts that it was the unseen God who created the sun and moon, along with all else in the universe which we observe and enjoy. Rather than humans ruling creation in a greedy and uncaring way, we share the planet with all other created beings. St Francis’ Canticle of Brother Sun and Sister Moon encourages us that we can praise God along with all of creation. In Wakefield, this summer’s Festival of the Moon will be a great opportunity to contemplate the wonders of the universe and turn it into praise.
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THE moon has always fired our imagination. Its transfiguration, month by month, from a sliver of light to a shining disc of silver is magical. It draws tides in its phases. And we may hold that it alters destiny. No wonder that so many cultures and religious beliefs see the moon as a goddess with mystical powers.