Is science “up for grabs”

Scientists question nature’s fundamental laws: Laws such as the speed of light may have been different in the past (MSNBC)

Recent research has found evidence that the value of certain fundamental parameters, such as the speed of light or the invisible glue that holds nuclei together, may have been different in the past.

“There is absolutely no reason these constants should be constant,” says astronomer Michael Murphy of the University of Cambridge. “These are famous numbers in physics, but we have no real reason for why they are what they are.”

Has string theory tied up better ideas in physics? (The Wall Street Journal)

(AP) - Nobel physicist Wolfgang Pauli didn’t suffer fools gladly. Fond of calling colleagues’ work “wrong” or “completely wrong,” he saved his worst epithet for work so sloppy and speculative it is “not even wrong.”

That’s how mathematician Peter Woit of Columbia University describes string theory. In his book, “Not Even Wrong,” published in the U.K. this month and due in the U.S. in September, he calls the theory “a disaster for physics.”

The energy of empty space that isn’t sero (Lawrence Krauss)

“The new results are either telling us that all of science is wrong and we’re the center of the universe, or maybe the data is [s]imply (sic) incorrect, or maybe it’s telling us there’s something weird about the microwave background results and that maybe, maybe there’s something wrong with our theories on the larger scales. (Lawrence Krauss)

July Meeting

Hi everyone,

The next Manawatu Christian Apologetics Society meeting will be Tuesday July 11th at 7pm at Saint Albans church (map ).

Our speaker will be Robert Hunt. Robert will be presenting an overview and brief evaluation of some of the more common interpretations of the Biblical creation account. He will also look at the growing Intelligent Design movement and comment on its relevance to Christians. The talk will not be too technical and will also be suitable for high school students. The presentation will be followed by a question / answer time and then a look at some helpful resources for future study.

I will aim to speak for less than an hour to allow time for questions and interaction afterwards. Some materials (mostly DVDs) may be available for loan.

Bio:

Robert and Margaret Hunt have six children and a passion for exciting people about the truth and relevance of the Bible. Robert is a Massey graduate with qualifications in Industrial Engineering and Information Science. After working for almost a decade designing and implementing microcomputer based systems, he retrained in linguistics and translation and has spent most of the last two decades working as a Bible Translator in the Southern Philippines.

The program for the evening will be as follows:

• 7pm Start
• Introduction + welcome
• Main talk for the evening: “An Overview of Christian positions on Creation, Evolution and the Intelligent Design movement“ (~60 minutes).
• Q & A and discussion time
• 9pm Finish with tea/coffee/biscuits

In light of MCAS goals to get people involved, if you have a short apologetics-related news item, announcement, question or other, please email me asap to reserve a slot.

Please remember to bring pen and paper to record notes and questions. Is anyone offering to bring the biscuits?

Hope to see you all there.