Q&A: Taking Scientists’ Opinions into Account Regarding Religious Belief
Taking Scientists’ Opinions into Account Regarding Religious Belief
Question
Despite many exchanges with you that clarified for me, clearly enough, the explanation for the existence of God and the giving of the Torah, etc., I still find myself feeling deceived, as if I’m lying to myself. After all, so many scientists and intellectuals think there is no God or that there was no giving of the Torah, and when I watch them they seem far more convincing to me, and even more self-assured, than many outreach rabbis. I know this is not a well-founded argument, but given that plain common sense would not have led me to think that the giving of the Torah was in fact an event that occurred, and dozens if not hundreds of professors and educated scientists also support that line of thought, I do find it troubling. Is the Rabbi the only person who managed to think correctly? Or perhaps are there a few more doctors and professors hidden from my view who believe in Judaism like I do?
Answer
I am opposed in principle to ad hominem arguments (a lot of scientists think this or that, or a lot of rabbis think this or that). There are lots of rabbis and lots of scientists who think lots of things. Must I go like a peddler and start counting them all? You need to form a position for yourself, and not get worked up by the fact that many people think otherwise. It is worth taking seriously any position that seems well grounded to you, and examining the arguments raised for and against, but in the final analysis the decision is yours alone.