The Catholic physicist, mathematician and philosopher Wolfgang Smith died in July. As a physicist, Smith laid the theoretical foundations for a solution to the re-entry problem explaining how space shuttles can re-enter the atmosphere without burning up. As a mathematician, he pioneered a branch of differential geometry called submersion theory. But perhaps Smith will be remembered most of all for his contribution to the field of science and religion.
Many people view the relationship between science and religion as one of non-overlapping magisteria. According to this view, there is no conflict between science and religion since they deal with entirely different questions. Smith, however, disagreed. In the introduction to his 1998 Templeton Lecture on Christianity and the Natural Sciences, he said: “I believe that the reputed conflict between science and religion does exist, and is in fact far more serious than one tends to think; but, at the same time, I am persuaded that the conflict arises not from science as such but from a penumbra of scientistic beliefs for which in reality there is no scientific support at all … I have no doubt that the ongoing de-Christianisation of Western society is due in large measure to the imposition of the prevailing scientistic worldview.”
