Suppose we loosely define a religion as any discipline whose foundations rest on an element of faith, irrespective of any element of reason which may be present. Quantum mechanics for example would be a religion under this definition. But mathematics would hold the unique position of being the only branch of theology possessing a rigorous demonstration of the fact that it should be so classified.
F. De Sua cited in H. Eves Mathematical Circles (Boston: Prindle, Weber and Schmidt, 1969).
Definitely thought provoking stuff! As someone who has looked at the world with a purely "science is science (and therefore real) and religion is... well, I don't know" standpoint, things like this help broaden my views. I think of Einstein, capable of allowing hard, testable science and religion to co-exist, and I wish I could reconcile the two as easily. At any rate, neat stuff!
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