A fascinating profile of a born-again Christian who traded religion for a scientific viewpoint. It's the type of conversion we don't often hear about. A very timely topic, considering the often disastrous consequences of "blind faith." This story offers some hope. That said, I would have liked to read more about this type of reversal: is it typical? what's the likelihood of this becoming a real trend? how might reverse conversions like this encouraged, so that others may benefit from this experience?

The interview touches a few quite important issues like "man of faith, man of science" dialectics, the common meaning of skepticism vs. educated meaning of skepticism, the science-belief dilemma in areas like health and medicine and the delicate issue of teaching evolutionism in schools as a different approach to explaining the universe, the world and the human existence. Still, I would've asked at least one more question: what does Shermer think of the rational-irrational balance in the future mind of mankind? Will science prevail, will it work hand in hand with the religious point of view or shall we be witnesses of a further maintained segregation and apparent conciliation between religion and science? Because the irrational ... More »

An interesting interview of Dr. Michael Shermer, a leading atheist in the U.S. Dr. Shermer described how he "was pretty seriously into the evangelical movement" until he discovered the "scientific worldview". The interview was non-confrontational, informative and accessible to non-scientists. The article tends to play into the common misconception that science and religion are fundamentally opposed to each other. The idea that science and religion did and could inspire each other is, unfortunately, never mentioned.

A fairly short, light-weight treatment of an important topic, but highly digestible. It would have been much better if it further explored what open-mindedness means, and whether it's possible to be too open-minded. Contrary a comment in the article, it seems clear that being open-minded DOESN'T mean that you "believe every wacky idea that comes down the pike."

Since this is a Q&A profile of one person, sources and the big picture don't really enter into it, nor does fairness, necessarily. It was fine as far as it went, but I would have liked to have seen some more insighful questions rather than "What kind of hate mail do you get?"