Catholicism and Orthodox Christianity

rug

(82,333 posts) Fri Dec 2, 2016, 08:04 AM Dec 2016

Why famed atheist Stephen Hawking is on a pontifical academy

Vatican City, Dec 2, 2016 / 03:35 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Stephen Hawking’s visit to the Vatican this week has raised curiosity, with some asking what exactly the famed astrophysicist and self-proclaimed atheist was doing in the heart of the Catholic Church.

But for the Vatican, his visit was nothing out of the ordinary. Hawking is a member of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences – which includes 80 of the most brilliant scientists in the world – and he was in Vatican City for the group’s annual meeting.

This year’s conference was focused on “Science and Sustainability.” Hawking himself gave a talk on “The Origin of the Universe,” the topic that has earned him world renown.

Religious belief – Catholic or otherwise – is not a criterion for membership in the Pontifical Academy. The group’s president, Werner Arber, a former Nobel Prize Laureate in Medicine, is a Protestant. And members of the Academy are Catholics, atheists, Protestants and members of other religions.

http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/why-famed-atheist-stephen-hawking-is-on-a-pontifical-academy-62293/

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Why famed atheist Stephen Hawking is on a pontifical academy (Original Post) rug Dec 2016 OP

Probably why the Catholic Church accepts climate change rpannier Dec 2016 #1

He's not on the list. rug Dec 2016 #2

rpannier

(24,956 posts)

1. Probably why the Catholic Church accepts climate change

Reply to rug (Original post)

Sat Dec 3, 2016, 06:21 AM

Dec 2016

They're getting a variety of intelligent input
I wonder if Neils Degrasse Tyson is a Member

rug

(82,333 posts)

2. He's not on the list.

Reply to rpannier (Reply #1)

Sat Dec 3, 2016, 10:08 AM

Dec 2016

http://www.pas.va/content/accademia/en/academicians/ordinary.html

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Catholicism and Orthodox Christianity

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Why famed atheist Stephen Hawking is on a pontifical academy

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