Fury as top scientist awarded religion prize
Lord Rees of Ludlow, the Astronomer Royal and former President of the Royal Society, was named as the recipient of the annual Templeton Prize in London as two British Nobel laureates denounced his decision to accept it.
Lord Rees was a surprise choice for the accolade because, while he has made major contributions to understanding the nature of the Universe, he is an atheist and does not believe that God played a role in its creation.
He told The Times that he believes in a peaceful coexistence between science and religion.
“It is perfectly possible to have religious beliefs and be a scientist,” he said. “I’m just not someone who does.”
But a roll call of prominent scientists reacted with dismay, claiming that the Templeton Foundation seeks to blur the boundary between science and religion and to promote faith in the absence of evidence.
