It's not astronomy, but...

[ToSeek]

I think this article says a surprising amount about both science and religion:

Wonder in the fossils (http://www.kansas.com/mld/kansas/11803233.htm)

[Candy]

But the fossils brought him to the profound belief that there is a God, that God made his works infinitely beautiful, and that he made them too complex to be explained.
8-[

[R.A.F.]

But the fossils brought him to the profound belief that there is a God, that God made his works infinitely beautiful, and that he made them too complex to be explained.
8-[

You neglected to add the next 2 words...

By anyone.

[Russ]

The way the article was written I could just hear (the late) Charles Kuralt doing one of his old "On The Road" vingettes.

In any case, an interesting juxtaposition of science and religion.

[Candy]

Really, Russ? I only saw a few references to religion. It sounds like the good man is finally re-discovering his religious roots. :)

[Melusine]

But the fossils brought him to the profound belief that there is a God, that God made his works infinitely beautiful, and that he made them too complex to be explained.

By anyone.
How about: the universe and all that is in it is infinitely beautiful, that its works are complex, and that every year we learn a little bit more, though some things we may never know, but who would have thought centuries ago what we know today...the universe is one big beautiful puzzle to solve and keeps our brains ticking. :)

The man has a pleasant demeanor, however. Thanks, ToSeek.

[Candy]

But the fossils brought him to the profound belief that there is a God, that God made his works infinitely beautiful, and that he made them too complex to be explained.

By anyone.
How about: the universe and all that is in it is infinitely beautiful, that its works are complex, and that every year we learn a little bit more, though some things we may never know, but who would have thought centuries ago what we know today...the universe is one big beautiful puzzle to solve and keeps our brains ticking. :)

The man has a pleasant demeanor, however. Thanks, ToSeek.
Nicely worded, Melusine! :D

[Candy]

You neglected to add the next 2 words...
Are they really needed, though? I keep reading it over and over, and I don't think so. Am I going to get the "belt" for this one? 8-[

[Russ]

Really, Russ? I only saw a few references to religion. It sounds like the good man is finally re-discovering his religious roots. :)

Well, there were a couple at the top and one in the middle and a couple near the end. Whatever the total count, it takes only one to create a juxtaposition.

What I find interesting is the way the writer sets him up as having a typical religious foundation, then makes it seem his hobby and passion draws him away from his religion then leads him back to a new place in his beliefs.

I read it a couple of times and came to the conclusion he was never "away", just meandering among the flowers along one of many paths.

[R.A.F.]

You neglected to add the next 2 words...
Are they really needed, though? I keep reading it over and over, and I don't think so.

It's just the "absoluteness" of it that bothered me...I'd be real nervous about making statements like that...there's always some young "whipper-snapper" who will come along and say "oh yeah? watch me".

Am I going to get the "belt" for this one? 8-[

Nah...only a feather...:)

[Melusine]

I read it a couple of times and came to the conclusion he was never "away", just meandering among the flowers along one of many paths.
I kind of get the feeling he was overwhelmed by everything, all this information, all the fossils, the knowledge, etc. It feels that way when you read it--just an overhwhelming passion, and just not enough time to figure it all out. I'll have to read it again later. The overhwleming and incomprehensible can lead people to or back to God.

[Candy]

Nah...only a feather...:)
Oh, goodie, just not the knees. :D

[Russ]

I read it a couple of times and came to the conclusion he was never "away", just meandering among the flowers along one of many paths.
I kind of get the feeling he was overwhelmed by everything, all this information, all the fossils, the knowledge, etc. It feels that way when you read it--just an overhwhelming passion, and just not enough time to figure it all out. I'll have to read it again later. The overhwleming and incomprehensible can lead people to or back to God.

I think I'd pick the word enthralled rather than overwhelmed. Overwhelmed implies too much to handle. Enthralled, wrapped attention.

Otherwise I think you have a valid point. :)

[Candy]

I read it a couple of times and came to the conclusion he was never "away", just meandering among the flowers along one of many paths.
I kind of get the feeling he was overwhelmed by everything, all this information, all the fossils, the knowledge, etc. It feels that way when you read it--just an overhwhelming passion, and just not enough time to figure it all out. I'll have to read it again later. The overhwleming and incomprehensible can lead people to or back to God.

I think I'd pick the word enthralled rather than overwhelmed. Overwhelmed implies too much to handle. Enthralled, wrapped attention.

Otherwise I think you have a valid point. :)
I won't say what I am really thinking, but I can say this... :P

[farmerjumperdon]

You neglected to add the next 2 words...
Are they really needed, though? I keep reading it over and over, and I don't think so. Am I going to get the "belt" for this one? 8-[

I think the Comfy Chair would be a more suitable punishment for such crimes.

Now if you got The Belt and the Comfy Chair!!! Things could get out of control in a hurry, . . . if you were into that sort of thing.

[Russ]

I won't say what I am really thinking, but I can say this... :P

???????????????????I don git it.????????????????????d'uuuh.

[Melusine]

I read it a couple of times and came to the conclusion he was never "away", just meandering among the flowers along one of many paths.
I kind of get the feeling he was overwhelmed by everything, all this information, all the fossils, the knowledge, etc. It feels that way when you read it--just an overhwhelming passion, and just not enough time to figure it all out. I'll have to read it again later. The overhwleming and incomprehensible can lead people to or back to God.

I think I'd pick the word enthralled rather than overwhelmed. Overwhelmed implies too much to handle. Enthralled, wrapped attention.

Otherwise I think you have a valid point. :)
I say overhwhelmed because when something is too much for someone to handle, iow, the complexity and questions of the universe, they may or do resort to some supreme power as an explanation. He is enthralled, but that's not what I meant; being overwhelmed implies a sort of tsunami effect of something, i.e. I am overwhelmed with joy about such and such.... It's so much, I'm so bowled over I can barely take it. OTOH, when I'm overwhelmed with problems or a workload, I need help.

Some of us, like me, are overwhelmed by what's out there and how much there is to know, but I do just see it as this big puzzle for us (really, scientists). When I look at cool pictures from space, it makes me just go ~WOW~ we are so good! (then I come back down to earth. :wink: )

[Russ]

I say overhwhelmed because when something is too much for someone to handle, iow, the complexity and questions of the universe, they may or do resort to some supreme power as an explanation. He is enthralled, but that's not what I meant; being overwhelmed implies a sort of tsunami effect of something, i.e. I am overwhelmed with joy about such and such.... It's so much, I'm so bowled over I can barely take it. OTOH, when I'm overwhelmed with problems or a workload, I need help.

Some of us, like me, are overwhelmed by what's out there and how much there is to know, but I do just see it as this big puzzle for us (really, scientists). When I look at cool pictures from space, it makes me just go ~WOW~ we are so good! (then I come back down to earth. :wink: )

OK, that's the way you needed to say it so my little pea brain gets your point. Thanks for staying with it. :)

[Candy]

I think the Comfy Chair would be a more suitable punishment for such crimes.

Now if you got The Belt and the Comfy Chair!!! Things could get out of control in a hurry, . . . if you were into that sort of thing.
We better keep it innocent like. http://www.cosgan.de/images/smilie/verschiedene/n025.gif

[Candy]

I won't say what I am really thinking, but I can say this... :P

???????????????????I don git it.????????????????????d'uuuh.
I liked the word enthralled, too. :P