Items of Interest May 16, 2011 Issue

Templeton Foundation awards 2011 religion prize

Ron Scherer

“Templeton Prize surprises Cambridge astrophysicist Martin Rees” The Christian Science Monitor April 6, 2011

As the Master at Trinity College, one of Cambridge University’s top academic posts, Martin Rees attends chapel every week. He enjoys the choir and the readings from the King James Bible. He participates in the service, mainly out of respect for tradition. 

But Professor Rees, a world-renown astrophysicist, says he has no spiritual interest in the service. “I have no religious beliefs myself,” he says.

That may be one reason Rees was surprised to learn he is the winner of this year’s Templeton Prize, $1.6 million given to a living person who has made exceptional contributions to affirming life’s spiritual dimension. “I didn’t think I had the credentials,” he says.

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