Raymo's Journey from Catholicism to Scientific Agnosticism

August 06, 2008

In his new book, Professor Emeritus of Physics and renowned science writer Chet Raymo steps into the fray between science and religion and carves out a space between the militant atheism of writers like Richard Dawkins and the faith-based approach of scientists like Owen Gingerich.

Raymo's When God Is Gone, Everything Is Holy: The Making of a Religious Naturalist is forged both from rigorous work in the scientific academy and from a reverence for creation born of Catholic sacramental tradition. In the book, he assembles a stunning array of scientists, philosophers, mystics, and poets who help him articulate his unique perspective as a religious naturalist.

In what Raymo describes as a "late-life credo," he traces his half-century journey from traditional faith-based Catholicism to scientific agnosticism.

Upon reading When God Is Gone author Brian Doyle noted, "This is a magnificent book, but not one for the faint of heart. In an age of militant atheists and strident believ¬ers, Chet Raymo dares to stand where mystics and philosophers have always stood: in the place of mystery."

Chet Raymo has taught at Stonehill since 1964 and is the best-selling author of sixteen books and a long-time writer of the popular column "Science Musings" for The Boston Globe. He has also written the novels Valentine and The Dork of Cork, the latter of which was produced into a major 1995 motion picture titled Frankie Starlight.

Published by Sorin Books, When God is Gone, Everything is Holy: The Making of a Religious Naturalist costs $22.95 and is available online at www.sorinbooks.com. through www.amazon.com, or at your local bookstore.

To learn more about Raymo, visit his popular Science Musings web site at www.sciencemusings.com.