Yes, I did find a few criticisms of Compton’s religiosity by his peers; I quoted a couple of them on the final page of the essay (Dec issue, page 251). By and large, however, his peers deeply respected him, sometimes b/c of his faith but more often in spite of it. The one common criticism involves an incident during the Manhattan Project. Compton told about this on pp. 109-110 of his book, “Atomic Quest.” At a critical point during the organization of the project, when it was being decided whether it was a military, scientific, or industrial project (it was really all 3), Compton spoke to a large group of “research and administrative heads.” He “reminded them of the story of Gideon, as he selected from a much larger band the three hundred who were most eaget to press the attack against the Amalekites. I had to make the decision according to my best judgment. This would be to enter into as favorable an agreement as we could with some competent engineering or industrial concern. Those who wished to remain on the project with such associates would be most welcome.”

Several scientists remembered this meeting and did not appreciate the way in which Compton handled it. It isn’t clear to me, however, whether their negative memories owe more to the seemingly arbitrary fashion in which Compton announced his decision, or to his use of the Bible in doing so.

As for evolution, Compton’s views were typical for liberal Christians of his generation, including distinguished biologists such as Henry Fairfield Osborn. The whole shebbang of evolution from molecules to man made no sense unless it was guided by God–though without miracles. Compton himself used the term “intelligent design” in 1940 (see Sept issue, p. 180), and in some ways his views would fit in with those of ID advocates today. In other ways, however, they would not–esp his disbelief in miracles (including the bodily Resurrection) and his full acceptance of human evolution. (I realize that ID is officially silent on both of these points, but nearly all ID advocates probably affirm miracles and deny human evolution; they also probably think that ID provides some support for both of those positions.)

Randy