Francis Collins' Slippery Middle Ground Between God and Science

Francis Collins' scientific credentials are impeccable; he spearheaded the government side of the Human Genome Project (pictured, at right), directs the National Human Genome Research Institute, helped find genes for several diseases and will be remembered as one of history's great geneticists. That he also believes in God ought to testify to the fact that religious faith and science are not mutually exclusive.

He made this broad case -- and a more narrow case for evolution as real but set in motion by God -- in The Language of Faith, published last summer. Nature observed that his theological arguments weren't likely to sway non-believers, but noted that such conversions weren't the point: Collins was crossing the divide between believers and atheists in a laudable, scientifically credible way.

Others, such as Sam Harris, author of The End of Faith, were horrified by Collins' book and Nature's response. Harris penned this review -- a perfect example of why Collins' arguments won't convince skeptics, as well as a perfect example of how some atheists share the fundamentalist tendency of insisting that everyone believe what they do.

More recently, Collins engaged in a spirited discussion with Point of Inquiry's DJ Grothe (.mp3).

Having listened to that discussion, Lloyd MacAlpine at the Defenders of
Reason blog wrote, "Dr. Collins does not understand evolution period, and he made this perfectly clear during the interview."

For the record, here's what Collins said:

I happen to believe that God truly exists, otherwise I wouldn't be having this argument with you. But basically I'm opposed to those who distort the argument in ways to try to score points -- and I think that happens from the religious perspective, when religious fundamentalists pound the table and call evolution evil when in fact the evidence behind it is overwhelming.

Lamenting the polarized God-vs-Science debate, Collins went on to say:

Most people don't live at those extremes. Most people live somewhere in the middle and are seeking a possible harmony between these worldviews.
I have found that, and I found it to be extremely intellectually and spiritually satisfying and it seems rather sad that we hear so little about that possibility, especially when you look at young people being told they have to make a choice between science and faith. I think if you pick one or the other, you impoverish yourself.

Now, if you don't share Collins' religious viewpoint, that's fine. I personally don't. Clearly he's able to be a fantastic scientist while believing in God. Why begrudge him that?

Related Wired coverage: The Church of the Unbelievers