The facts of science are real enough and so are the techniques that scientists use and so are the technologies based on them. But the belief system that governs conventional scientific thinking is an act of faith.

Bad religion is arrogant self-righteous dogmatic and intolerant. And so is bad science. But unlike religious fundamentalists scientific fundamentalists do not realize that their opinions are based on faith. They think they know the truth.

Some theists in evolutionary science acquiesce to these tacit rules and retain a personal faith while accepting a thoroughly naturalistic picture of physical reality.

Science we are repeatedly told is the most reliable form of knowledge about the world because it is based on testable hypotheses. Religion by contrast is based on faith. The term 'doubting Thomas' well illustrates the difference.

The age of innocent faith in science and technology may be over.

Science has sometimes been said to be opposed to faith and inconsistent with it. But all science in fact rests on a basis of faith for it assumes the permanence and uniformity of natural laws - a thing which can never be demonstrated.

I'm a private guy and you don't want to be out there preaching to people. But faith leads you in the decisions you make. You don't always pick the right path but it's there in your conscience.

Well I think that Catholicism's basic foundation of faith is personal conscience. I think it's between you and God not you and the Church.

Since I was an atheist for many years and came to believe in God through my studies in science it frustrated me to see students and parents who viewed faith and science as enemies.

The best thing about science is that hard empirical answers are always there if you look hard enough. The best thing about religion is that the very absence of that certainty is what requires - and gives rise to - deep feelings of faith.