Contact... between science and faith

This past week I had an interesting conversation with a friend regarding the role of faith and science.  I believe that each supports the other.  For instance to move from the dense matter that was the universe prior to the Big-Bang to the ever expanding movement of time and space that exists in post Big-Bang 'world' works equally for the cosmologist and the theologian.  Or when we look at sub atomic particles that can randomly appear in different places as if they are moving in and out of our dimensional understanding of space and time sounds a lot like the way people of faith speak of the interaction of spirit and material reality.

As a result of our conversation, dealing with the possibility of life existing outside our solar system (something that I can only affirm based upon the creativity of God describe in scripture), I recommended to my friend the movie Contact starring Jodie Foster.   It is based upon Carl Sagan's novel of the same name; and for a self-described atheist, does a nice job of connecting the dots between science, humanity, and faith.  I especially appreciate the testimony of Dr. Ellie Arroway (Jodie Foster), an avowed nonbeliever, before the Congressional Investigative Committee provided in the following transcript:

Panel member: Doctor Arroway, you come to us with no evidence, no record, no artifacts. Only a story that to put it mildly strains credibility. Over half a trillion dollars was spent, dozens of lives were lost. Are you really going to sit there and tell us we should just take this all... on faith?

[pause, Ellie looks at Palmer]

Michael Kitz: Please answer the question, doctor.

Ellie Arroway: Is it possible that it didn't happen? Yes. As a scientist, I must concede that, I must volunteer that.

Michael Kitz: Wait a minute, let me get this straight. You admit that you have absolutely no physical evidence to back up your story.

Ellie Arroway: Yes.

Michael Kitz: You admit that you very well may have hallucinated this whole thing.

Ellie Arroway: Yes.

Michael Kitz: You admit that if you were in our position, you would respond with exactly the same degree of incredulity and skepticism!

Ellie Arroway: Yes!

Michael Kitz: [standing, angrily] Then why don't you simply withdraw your testimony, and concede that this "journey to the center of the galaxy," in fact, never took place!

Ellie Arroway: Because I can't. I... had an experience... I can't prove it, I can't even explain it, but everything that I know as a human being, everything that I am tells me that it was real! I was given something wonderful, something that changed me forever... A vision... of the universe, that tells us, undeniably, how tiny, and insignificant and how... rare, and precious we all are! A vision that tells us that we belong to something that is greater then ourselves, that we are *not*, that none of us are alone! I wish... I... could share that... I wish, that everyone, if only for one... moment, could feel... that awe, and humility, and hope. But... That continues to be my wish.

I love it... I have been given a vision that regardless of how tiny we are, nonetheless how precious we are as well.  Knowing that we are not alone (a God who walks with us!?) gives us hope.  Sure sounds a lot like science and faith coming to a singular understanding.  

Pal