Science has vanquished religion, but not its evils
By NICK COHEN - GUARDIAN.CO.UK
Added: Thu, 21 Apr 2011 11:08:58 UTC
The astronomer royal accepting the Templeton prize is a casual endorsement of all that is wrong with religion
As Mrs Merton knew, there are questions that answer themselves. "What first attracted astronomer royal Martin Rees to the £1m Templeton prize?" certainly looks like one of them. If an American charitable trust offered you a small fortune for "affirming life's spiritual dimension", you would need to check you had strong principles and a remarkably understanding partner before replying: "I have never been so insulted in my life."
The reasons for the John Templeton Foundation's attraction to Lord Rees appear, if anything, more obvious.
It is a well-endowed religious outfit, fed by the loot collected by the late Sir John Templeton, a ruthless financier with a pious streak.
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