Counting To God: A Personal Journey Through Science to Belief - Softcover

Ell, Douglas

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0963270184 ISBN 13: 9780963270184

Publisher: Attitude Media, 2014

Synopsis

What if you could harmonize science and faith? What if science itself pointed to a reality outside of space and time, and a Designer behind all that exists? In Counting To God, Douglas Ell applies the lens of mathematical analysis to recent scientific discoveries, drawing startling conclusions. Scientific breakthroughs over the past half century contradict the popular paradigm that science and traditional religion do not mix. The ensuing, often heated, debates can be hard for outsiders to follow, because of both the volume of data involved and esoteric truth claims on each side. Shining a new light on these debates, and perhaps providing the key to the truth, Ell uses scrupulous analysis and probability calculations to make a convincing case that the most advanced, sophisticated thinking in science not only allows for the idea of a designed universe, but encourages it. As the adage says, numbers don’t lie. Although Counting to God is substantially a work of science, Ell writes in plain English - a “science for non-scientists” style - and gives examples in the form of thought exercises to illustrate concepts such as the true scale of very large numbers (critical to understanding what exactly can occur through random events over time). How careful is the science? Counting to God has been endorsed by a number of leading scientists, including the head of the physics department at MIT. A former non-believer, Ell traces his 30-year journey - following the evidence of science - from atheism to belief. Thus, while his book is about the existence of God, Ell’s arguments address the world view of unbelievers and agnostics. I highly recommend this thoughtful exploration of the relation between science and spirituality, two seemingly opposed descriptions of our world. Posed as a personal journey, Doug asks “How can we relate the descriptions of the spiritual and physical worlds?” Doug takes on the biggest questions of our time: cosmology, the origin of the universe and the biochemistry of genetics in a relevant and accessible way. Whether you agree with him or not, you will enjoy and learn from this book. -Professor Peter Fisher, Head of the Department of Physics, MIT

About this title

From the Back Cover

I highly recommend this thoughtful exploration of the relation between science and spirituality, two seemingly opposed descriptions of our world. Posed as a personal journey, Doug asks "How can we relate the descriptions of the spiritual and physical worlds?"  Doug takes on the biggest questions of our time: cosmology, the origin of the universe and the biochemistry of genetics in a relevant and accessible way.  Whether you agree with him or not, you will enjoy and learn from this book.
-Professor Peter Fisher, Head of the Department of Physics, MIT

Counting to God tells the compelling story of a young scholar's loss of faith, and how the arguments for intelligent design helped him regain that faith. In the process, Doug Ell provides a highly accessible introduction to the evidence for design from physics, cosmology, biology, and other scientific fields.
-Dr. Stephen Meyer, Philosopher of Science and author of the New York Times best seller Darwin's Doubt The Explosive Origin of Animal Life and the Case for Intelligent Design

Douglas Ell has written a well-informed, heart-felt exposition of the evidence for design in the universe. Having made the journey from skepticism to belief himself, he eloquently lays out his case in a manner that readers will find engaging, persuasive, and accessible. I recommend this book to anyone willing to listen to reason, no matter what their background.
-Dr. Ann Gauger, co-author of Science and Human Origins

Doug Ell's telling of his personal journey from nonbelief to theism by following the evidence of science is a welcome antidote to the steady stream of distorted science from Richard Dawkins and the other 'New Atheists'.
-Dr. Guillermo Gonzalez, co-author of The Privileged Planet: How Our Place in the Cosmos Is Designed for Discovery

About the Author

Counting to God author Douglas Ell, a former atheist, said "I've spent more than 30 years reconciling science and God, because I needed scientific evidence to believe in God."

In our time, the pursuit of scientific and philosophical knowledge has largely been the domain of narrowly focused professionals and academics. Ell's work represents a return to the more open-minded, broad thinking of the Renaissance and Scientific Revolution, when intelligent people of diverse backgrounds exchanged information not to further professional careers, but as part of a collective effort to advance science and reason.

Douglas Ell grew up in Connecticut, and graduated early from MIT, where he double majored in math and physics. He then obtained a masters in theoretical mathematics from the University of Maryland. After graduating from law school, magna cum laude, he became a prominent attorney. Ell drafted the first 401(k) plan in professional sports and has represented a number of nationally recognized corporations, unions and pension plans. He has litigated nationally with great success and persuaded Congress to make important changes in employee benefits laws.

As a lawyer Ell learned how to sift through competing arguments and the importance of carefully considering different points of view, skills which he has now used to untangle the confused and often emotional relationship between science and religion.

His legal training and work, combined with his academic science background and a lifetime of independent study, has given him a uniquely grounded approach to science, religion, and philosophy.

Edition details

• Publisher: Attitude Media
• Publication date: 2014
• ISBN 10: 0963270184
• ISBN 13: 9780963270184
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 288