isn't hawking one of the biggest atheists out there? I's confused. Not at the pope blessing him, but more at him allowing B16 to bless if he really is that large of an atheist.
J Madden | 10.31.08 - 4:04 pm | #

hmmm maybe I should read articles first then comment. I never was the sharpest knife in the drawer.
J Madden | 10.31.08 - 4:06 pm | #

Which article?

The link opens to a bunch of Google articles. I wish I knew which one to click on.
atheling | 10.31.08 - 4:37 pm | #

Thomas,

I hope you comment more on this meeting in a later posting.
Anonymous | 10.31.08 - 6:01 pm | #

"I-have-yet-to-measure-the-speed-of-prayer, Your-Holiness-and-my-fellow-Professor."
"You may measure the size of the Universe, Herr Professor Hawking, but can eizher of us measure its purpose, or its beauty?"
Panda Rosa | 10.31.08 - 9:38 pm | #

The article is cited right below the pic. I didn't see it at first either.
J Madden | 10.31.08 - 10:37 pm | #

I click on it and I get a google page listing many articles. That's why I asked.
atheling | 10.31.08 - 11:39 pm | #

the reuters article quotes hawking saying that he's "not religious in the normal sense," and indicating that he's agnostic.

so, he's not an atheist. and the fact that hawking was present at this event shows that he's not anti-religion.
rd | 10.31.08 - 11:51 pm | #

Professor Hawking seems to be at least culturally interested in religion -- I saw him at an Easter service in our parish when he was a visiting scholar at the local technological institute.
rcesq | 11.01.08 - 1:49 am | #

I know it isn't a caption contest, but I can't resist:

""Be still, Stephen, zis von't hurt! Besides, you can't go anyvhere, ve've taken ze battery out..."
Nadja Magdalena | Homepage | 11.01.08 - 7:38 am | #

Nadja, I like your take on things! And, oh, if Papa could really cure the Professor!
Panda Rosa | 11.01.08 - 10:22 pm | #