Reality Check: Science Meets Religion

By Ian Kingsley

This inspiring and unusual book harmonizes science and religion by showing they are both looking at the same things from different perspectives. It proves mind—and hence God—lie outside the space-time continuum, explains the supernatural, identifies the importance of consciousness, and rebuts classic arguments against there being a God (including the ‘Ultimate Boeing 747 Gambit’ used by Richard Dawkins in his book: The God Delusion). Amazingly, it even convincingly demonstrates how multi-dimensional science may suggest where Heaven is located.

Two popes have admitted evolution may have been part of God’s plan, and this book explains how the Bible creation story includes a description of evolution and a critical, non-material act of creation with respect to mankind: showing both science and religion are correct within their terms of reference. A credible argument for eternal life is presented, enigmas like why God would allow bad things to happen are resolved, and the way to determine your purpose in life is explained. Every proposal is substantiated by evidence or fact through over 70 ‘End Notes’ that reference online sources via links on the author’s website.

Although deeply thought-provoking, this entertaining work is easy to understand and compelling reading because of its clarity, vivid analogies, and gentle humour. If you believe in God it can resolve uncomfortable conflicts you may perceive between science and religion. If you do not believe in God, it might just change your mind—and prove to be your godsend!

SOME READER REVIEW EXTRACTS:

Extremely well written and researched... Every point is very clear. The analogies are extremely imaginative and very effective. The passion in the work is powerful and every paragraph is thought-provoking... well thought through and persuasive.
—Gareth N
The most abstract of concepts are communicated in a clearly digestible form... There is a tremendous need for... arguments which transcend the physical world. For many, if not most, the task of adequately preparing oneself to respond to such questions is simply too daunting. I appreciate the scholarly professionalism and the extensive referencing... [The author] rises to the challenge of what most would consider an extremely difficult calling.
—James Revoir
This is a very intriguing piece. I believe there is a significant demand for such discussions... I especially appreciate the inviting style, which will definitely be a plus for more skeptical readers.
—Faith Rose
The survey of arguments both for and against the existence of God provides the reader with a way to better compare and contrast different viewpoints... Presenting the strengths and weaknesses of all of these different viewpoints was one of the things I liked most. I was really interested to read these chapters because, as a mathematician and a Christian, while there may be perceived conflicts between science and religion, I believe there are no conflicts between the structures and systems of the universe and God. This book also explains things very well... [and is] accessible without sacrificing scientific integrity... I think the book will be enjoyed by many and will encourage lively discussion.
—David Bortress

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ian Kingsley
• Release date: Nov 15, 2011
• ISBN: 9781465731524

Ian Kingsley

I wanted to write from a very young age, and fiction was always the aim. But non-fiction came first: articles, and my first technical work, were published before I left school.I began work in research and development in the field of semiconductor research, where I developed a keen interest in technology. I then became a chartered engineer and designed electronic equipment for the disabled. The next step was to combine my interests by becoming a technical author and then a technical publications manager: a role I had for many years. During this part of my career I published a number of technical books under a different name. After that, I finally got around to publishing fiction.My debut novel, a psychological thriller called ‘Sandman’, was published in 2010, followed by my non-fiction work ‘Reality Check: Science Meets Religion’, in 2011. The latter stemmed from a desire to ratify apparent differences between science and religion. Then back to contemporary fiction, with 'Flying a Kite' in 2013, using underlying ideas connected with man's desire to know the so-called "meaning of life" - but with a thriller twist! My latest novel, a mystery thriller called 'The Grave Concerns of Jennifer Lloyd', was published in 2016.My author website, iankingsley.com, contains further information about all these works, together with a collation of book reviews.Would you like a free eBook or pdf copy of one of my books in return for a 28 day promise to review? If so, check out the following page on my website: http://www.iankingsley.com/books/jennifer-lloyd/review-copy-requests.phpYou can contact me via the email address given on my website or join 35,000+ of my followers on Twitter where I tweet daily as @authorkingsley. It would be great to meet you there. (Hint: That's where I sometimes offer Smashwords discount coupons!)

Book preview

Reality Check:

science meets religion

- by -

Ian Kingsley

To watch a video trailer for this book please visit:

http://www.iankingsley.com/books/reality-check-science-meets-religion/

Reality Check:

science meets religion

- by -

Ian Kingsley

Smashwords Edition

Copyright 2011, Ian Kampel

Cover graphic © Saniphoto | Dreamstime.com

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About this Book

This inspiring and unusual book harmonizes science and religion by showing they are both looking at the same things from different perspectives. It proves mind—and hence God—lie outside the space-time continuum, explains the supernatural, identifies the importance of consciousness, and rebuts classic arguments against there being a God (including the ‘Ultimate Boeing 747 Gambit’ used by Richard Dawkins in his book: The God Delusion). Amazingly, it even convincingly demonstrates how multi-dimensional science may suggest where Heaven is located.

Two popes have admitted evolution may have been part of God’s plan, and this book explains how the Bible creation story includes a description of evolution and a critical, non-material act of creation with respect to mankind: showing both science and religion are correct within their terms of reference. A credible argument for eternal life is presented, enigmas like why God would allow bad things to happen are resolved, and the way to determine your purpose in life is explained. Every proposal is substantiated by evidence or fact through over 70 ‘End Notes’ that reference online sources via links on the author’s website.

Although deeply thought-provoking, this entertaining work is easy to understand and compelling reading because of its clarity, vivid analogies, and gentle humour. If you believe in God it can resolve uncomfortable conflicts you may perceive between science and religion. If you do not believe in God, it might just change your mind—and prove to be your godsend!

__________

‘There comes a time when the mind takes a higher plane of knowledge but can never prove how it got there.’

Albert Einstein

Reader’s Reviews

Extremely well written and researched… Every point is very clear. The analogies are extremely imaginative and very effective. The passion in the work is powerful and every paragraph is thought-provoking... well thought through and persuasive.

—Gareth N

The most abstract of concepts are communicated in a clearly digestible form… There is a tremendous need for… arguments which transcend the physical world. For many, if not most, the task of adequately preparing oneself to respond to such questions is simply too daunting. I appreciate the scholarly professionalism and the extensive referencing… [The author] rises to the challenge of what most would consider an extremely difficult calling.

—James Revoir

This is a very intriguing piece. I believe there is a significant demand for such discussions... I especially appreciate the inviting style, which will definitely be a plus for more skeptical readers.

—Faith Rose

The survey of arguments both for and against the existence of God provides the reader with a way to better compare and contrast different viewpoints… Presenting the strengths and weaknesses of all of these different viewpoints was one of the things I liked most. I was really interested to read these chapters because, as a mathematician and a Christian, while there may be perceived conflicts between science and religion, I believe there are no conflicts between the structures and systems of the universe and God. This book also explains things very well… [and is] accessible without sacrificing scientific integrity… I think the book will be enjoyed by many and will encourage lively discussion.

—David Bortress

Preface

Do conflicts between science and religion make it impossible for you to accept both? Or do you struggle with certain aspects of your faith because science seems to undermine it? Maybe you believe in science and religion but find it necessary to compartmentalize your mind to suppress the conflicts. (That used to be me.)

One of these statements applies to most people. This is strange, given over half the world’s population believes in God¹ and most of us believe in science. So how come they are so often regarded as being mutually exclusive? This is a question I asked myself many years ago and I became determined to find the answer. It seemed logical to suppose neither religion nor science were wrong but that any apparent conflicts were due to misunderstandings on both sides. So I investigated this and pondered on it for years, certain this notion must be correct. Eventually I came to a satisfactory viewpoint that seemed to prove religion and science were actually complementary. This book is my attempt to explain this as simply as possible.

While I do think inspiration complemented my perspiration, this is just a personal view and there is such a thing as human error. So please don’t imagine I believe everything I say must be right—although I do believe it would be right to think about everything I say. God shares a powerful mind with us and he undoubtedly wishes us to use it. In what better way might we apply it than by trying to better understand him?

Every person’s belief is individual, but not everyone has thought deeply about such issues. Where to start? It might seem there are just too many imponderables to even begin. Yet I hope that, as a result of helping you to focus your mind through this book, you may thereafter be able to relax into a logically-founded faith unfettered by niggling doubts about whether it is sometimes at odds with science.

I hope to show you that theologian and scientist are looking at the same picture without realizing it and that science is merely the study of creation. I employ what I believe to be an exciting new way to convince you there must be a God: by providing evidence that ‘brain’ and ‘mind’ are separate entities and that your non-physical mind—and God’s—must lie beyond the realms of his creation: the space-time continuum. During this fascinating journey we will question the true nature of reality and I will explain why I believe both evidence and logic suggest our consciousness survives death. I will also show how the latest scientific theory may unknowingly reveal the location of Heaven—as hinted at by the words of Jesus. This might sound fantastic, but so is modern science—especially if it is brought to bear upon religion. Trust me for now, for this is a powerful combination.

I hope accompanying me on this journey will allow you to gain a better understanding of the ‘paranormal’; it is, after all, just that part of ‘normal’ creation we do not fully understand. We will consider why many of the classic arguments ‘against’ God are now inadequate, and evaluate which of the classic arguments ‘for’ God are the most convincing. As part of this exploration I introduce a new ‘External Consciousness Argument’ to counter such arguments against there being a God as the ‘Ultimate Boeing 747 Gambit’ proposed by Richard Dawkins in his book The God Delusion.

I am excited to be able to show you why the Bible creation story is actually compatible with science and evolution—that there was both ‘evolution’ and ‘creation’ in God’s process—and we will resolve enigmas like why God would ‘allow’ seemingly bad things to happen. Finally I will explain how you can simultaneously have a ‘destiny’ and ‘free-will’, and how this relates to ‘the meaning of life’ and your ‘purpose in life’.

Hopefully, you will find this book entertaining, accessible and as fascinating to read as I found it to research and write. Please forgive my quips, for such a serious subject can have its lighter side. Jesus was a human being on earth, so I don’t doubt he sometimes enjoyed a laugh with his friends; certainly his disciples must have caused him some amusement at times. Did he joke? Well, he liked wordplay, which suggests he did. Consider phrases about a camel passing through the eye of a needle (Mark 10:25) and the blind leading the blind and both falling into a pit (Matthew 15:14).²

If you are already a believer, I hope any new insight you gain through this book may unburden your mind regarding apparent conflicts between science and religion—and maybe also help you to convince a doubting friend to believe. Or, if you never imagined there could be a sound logical argument that could persuade you to believe in God, I hope this one might prove to be your godsend.

Ian Kingsley, 2011

Dedication

I dedicate this book to my wife, Hazel, with love and thanks for her patience. Hopefully it finally reveals what has preoccupied my mind for so long.

A note about supporting links

To substantiate everything I say in this book, I have included over 70 ‘End Notes’ to reference independent supporting material which you can follow up on the internet at a later date. Use the small numbers to be found throughout the text to reach the relevant note at the very end of this book. These notes include the web page addresses (URLs) necessary to follow-up each reference. To make this far easier, the section dedicated to this book on my author website duplicates these End Notes and includes