Sam didn’t think much of religion. What with science being able to explain almost everything about us and about the world we live in, there didn’t seem much point to believing in God any more. And, besides, if there was a God who cared about us and was all-powerful, there wouldn’t be suffering and poverty and war, would there?

But then came the day Sam was exploring the Internet, and stumbled across God’s website! At least, that was what it claimed to be. But who knows? It could have been some sort of joke—the work of a hacker.

Sam decides to investigate, and becomes engrossed in conversations with the mysterious person on the other end. Together they explore the great questions arising out of evolution, astronomy, cosmology, the laws of nature, and the possibility of miracles. Not that Sam knew much science. Fortunately the stranger was able to explain the science from scratch in a way that Sam could understand. They also tackled the problems of evil, suffering, and death; that really set Sam thinking.

So, was the intruder really God—God on the Internet—or a hacker? Readers will have to make up their own mind. They will also be challenged to form their own personal responses to the issues raised based on a listing of forty questions at the back of the book. Sample questions include:

What do you hope to achieve in your lifetime?
Does belief in God play a part in that?
Do you believe in evolution—that you came from animals?
Do you think there is life on other planets?
If so, does that make human beings less important?
Do the world religions contradict each other, or are they simply talking about the same God in somewhat different ways?
How should belief in an afterlife affect the way you live this life?

Highlights

An accessible and lively look at the relationship between science and religion.
Provides an opportunity for young people to confront and evaluate their feelings about important issues including belief in God, evolution, and the afterlife.
Ideal for young adult reading and discussion groups.

About the Author:
Russell Stannard is emeritus professor of physics at the Open University, the United Kingdom’s largest university. Besides his personal contributions to the science/religion dialogue, he has written a number of best-selling books introducing children to modern science, and is a well-known television and radio broadcaster. His book God for the 21st Century is also published by Templeton Foundation Press.