My Credentials

It just occurred to me that I have not given my readers any idea of what authority (if any really is needed) I have to be writing this blog.  While it somewhat misses the point, it is nonetheless reasonable that you may be wondering who the heck I am or why I am going on about all of this. 

Fair enough.  I hold a Ph.D. in Chemistry obtained in 1998 from Florida State University.  While there, I worked at the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory working in the field of Fourier Transform Ion Cyclotron Resonance Mass Spectrometry.  So, I know a thing or two about science. 

On the non-scientific side, I hold a Bachelor of Arts (with a Chemistry major, though) from Huntingdon College.  Given that Huntingdon is associated with the United Methodist Church, my college education included courses on religion and philosophy.  One of my favorite classes while attending Huntingdon was one called the Philosophy of Religion.  Much like this blog does with science, that class examined religion from a philosophical viewpoint.  It was invaluable to study topics such as the proof of God's existence and the theistic principle.  I actually ended up agreeing that the ontological proof of God's existence proves the existence of a prime mover, if you want to be able to explain the universe.  If you don't care to explain the universe, it is not necessary to accept the existence of a prime mover.  Of course, the ontological proof does not establish the nature of God, simply its existence.  So far as the ontological proof is concerned, God could be defined as a purple grape popsicle named Herbert, and it would not matter.  If you believe that the force that created the universe is a giant, purple, grape popsicle, I can't argue with you (I might snicker just a bit, though). 

Anyway, that's my formal education.  Informally, I've been questioning the nature of reality since I was six, and I have read a great deal (and hope to read a good deal more yet) on the topic.  I also have been boning up on my quantum theory, as it is an aspect I did not need to delve into very deeply during my science education (being that I am a chemist). 

Well, I don't know if that will satisfy anyone that I have any business blathering on about all of this, but, if so, well, good, and, if not, oh well.  My views are still as valid as anyone else's (and theirs are as valid as mine - even if they are weird).