6 HAS SCIENCE DISCOVERED GOD? 



the thoughtful man of to-day turns to those who have 

 been practicing the method of science for suggestions 

 concerning a satisfactory basis for rehgious aspira- 

 tions. The faith by which a man Hves must be in 

 accord with the facts which men know. Only that 

 religion, which is in harmony with the current scientific 

 description of man and the universe, can maintain 

 itself effectively in any age. No man ever committed 

 himself to beliefs which he did not think were rational. 

 It is therefore not only desirable but actually neces- 

 sary for religion to take stock of contemporary in- 

 sights into the nature of the world and of man, which 

 science has gained. 



The analysis of the atom and the study of the stars 

 reveal the presence of cosmic forces which are coldly 

 mathematical in their operations. The cosmic energy 

 revealed to the physicist and astronomer has the at- 

 tributes and characteristics of mind rather than of 

 mechanics, of pure mathematics rather than of applied 

 mathematics. It Is gratifying, from certain points of 

 view, to discover that the material universe is an ex- 

 pression of mentality, that mind is much more nearly 

 omnipotent than matter, but the study of inanimate 

 nature discloses no hint of goodness or loveliness, no 

 clue concerning the relative value or merit of rival 

 forms or patterns. No more sentiment is found in 

 the structure of an atom than in the arrangements of 

 a solar system or a stellar galaxy. The motive power 

 of the universe is revealed as orderly and law-abiding; 

 it produces form from formlessness, develops a cosmos 

 from a chaos; but these patterns of expression contain 

 nothing to Inspire man to strive toward the realiza- 

 tion of high Ideals, 



