Overview: In an enlightening interview with Joe Rogan, Neil deGrasse Tyson explores the compatibility of science and religion, shedding light on the historical contributions of the Catholic Church to scientific knowledge. This conversation challenges the notion of conflict between science and faith, promoting a more inclusive understanding of the universe.
On an interview by The Late Show host Stephen Colbert, Neil deGrasse Tyson talked about the astronomical insignificance of New Year’s Day, which led to a conversation about the role of Catholic Church in it. Tyson was talking about the role the Catholic Church played in creating the calendar as we know it. “The world’s calendar is the Gregorian calendar after Pope Gregory,” Tyson explains. “Put that into place in 1582, because the previous Julian calendar was messing up in the year. It was off by ten days. And the pope said, ‘We got to fix this…’ There’s a Vatican Observatory to this day. At the time, before telescopes were invented, these Jesuit priests were put into the service of figuring out why the calendar was shifting in the year.”
Colbert, known for his openness about his Catholic faith, then asks Tyson if it’s true that a Catholic priest formulated the Big Bang Theory. “Yes,” Tyson responds. “Georges Lemaître. Using Einstein’s equations … he deduces that the history of the universe must’ve started with a bang. So Catholics have been in there in multiple places.”
If you notice, he was vigorously trying to take away credit from Georges Lemaître, trying to paint him as the dude who used the calculator using Einstein’s equations. But in a more recent interview he seemed to get the changing public opinion about atheism and peoples perceptions about catholic church, history and culture.
In a recent interview between Joe Rogan and Neil deGrasse Tyson, an interesting shift in Tyson’s perspective on religion and atheism became apparent. The conversation touched on various topics, including the use of religious language, the Gregorian calendar, and the contributions of the Catholic Church to scientific knowledge.
During the interview, Tyson explained that while the dictionary definition of atheism might technically apply to him, he no longer identifies as an atheist in practice. He expressed his disagreement with the conduct, behavior, and attitudes often associated with leading atheists who engage in debates and criticize religious individuals. Tyson made it clear that it is not in his nature to engage in such confrontations or belittle religious beliefs.
To illustrate his point, Tyson shared an anecdote about using the phrase “Godspeed” on social media and receiving backlash from atheists. He explained the historical significance of the phrase in the context of space exploration, highlighting the tradition of wishing astronauts well on their journeys. Tyson’s adherence to this tradition, despite being questioned by some atheists, demonstrated his respect for historical context and his refusal to purge religious language from his vocabulary.
Furthermore, the discussion delved into the origins of the Gregorian calendar, which Tyson credited to the Catholic Church. He explained how Jesuit priests in the 1580s, under the guidance of Pope Gregory, developed the Gregorian calendar to rectify the inaccuracies of the Julian calendar. This example showcased the Church’s involvement in scientific endeavors and its commitment to addressing discrepancies and improving accuracy.
The conversation between Rogan and Tyson shed light on Tyson’s evolving stance on religion and atheism. While he may not align with the confrontational approach often associated with atheism, he expressed a deep respect for scientific knowledge and the historical contributions of religious institutions. Tyson’s recognition of the Catholic Church’s role in scientific advancements challenges the prevailing notion of an inherent conflict between science and religion.
This interview serves as a reminder that individuals can hold scientific curiosity and religious faith in harmony. Tyson’s perspective reflects a broader acceptance that science and religion are not mutually exclusive but can coexist and enrich our understanding of the world. By recognizing the valuable contributions of various belief systems to human knowledge, we can foster a more inclusive and open-minded approach to the exploration of both scientific and spiritual dimensions.
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