Guy Consolmagno 
God’s Mechanics 
How Scientists and Engineers Make Sense of Religion

In God’s Mechanics, Brother Guy tells the stories of thosewho identify with the scientific mindset–so-called’techies’–while practicing religion. A full fledged techiehimself, he relates some classic philosophical reflections, hisinterviews with dozens of fellow techies, and his own personal takeon his Catholic beliefs to provide, like a set of ‘worked outsample problems, ‘ the hard data on the challenges and joys ofembracing a life of faith as a techie. And he also gives a roadmapof the traps that can befall an unwary techie believer.

With lively prose and wry humor, Brother Guy shows how he notonly believes in God but gives religion an honored place alongsidescience in his life. This book offers an engaging look athow–and why–scientists and those with technologicalleanings can hold profound, ‘unprovable’ religious beliefs whileworking in highly empirical fields. Through his own experience andinterviews with other scientists and engineers who profess faith, Brother Guy explores how religious beliefs and practices make senseto those who are deeply rooted in the world of technology.

Table of Content

Introduction: The Lord of the Techies.

PART ONE: WHY WOULD A TECHIE BELIEVE IN GOD?

1. How Techies Believe.

2. Where God Is Useful.

3. Good Science, Bad Philosophy.

PART TWO: WHY WOULD A TECHIE JOIN AN ORGANIZEDRELIGION?

4. Big Science, Big Religion.

5. The Functions of Religion.

6. The Dangers of Organized Religion.

PART THREE: WHAT IS THE TECHIE EXPERIENCE OFRELIGION?

7. Talking to Techies.

8. Listening to Techies.

9. The Rule of Rules.

PART FOUR: WHY WOULD A TECHIE BE A CHRISTIAN?

10. What Does the Truth Look Like?

11. The Root of Christianity.

12. A Techie’s Contemplation on the Trinity.

13. The Supernatural in Nature.

PART FIVE: THE CONFESSION OFA VATICAN TECHIE.

14. Why Would a Techie Be a Catholic?

15. How I Stay a Catholic.

Acknowledgments.

The Author.

Index.

About the author

Vatican astronomer Guy Consolmagno is a Jesuit brotherwith advanced degrees from MIT and the University of Arizona.A highly respected planetary scientist whose research focuses on meteorites, asteroids, and dwarf planets, Consolmagno is the author or co-author of numerous books and publications, including Brother Astronomerand Turn Left at Orion.He even has an asteroid named in his honor (4597 Consolmagno, known to its friends as ‘Little Guy’). He has served as chair of the Division for Planetary Sciences of the American Astronomical Society and is a past president of Commission 16 (Planets and Moons) of the International Astronomical Union.