It is interesting that Arthur C Clarke recognized that physicians are more likely to be atheist. The first story of his that I ever read was “The Star” which describes a Jesuit astronaut coming upon the blasted remains of a civilization that once orbited the star that supposedly went nova in order to announce Jesus’ birth. In other words, the Christmas Star. The question asked is, how could God destroy an entire civilization just so that the shepherds and the Magi would know where Jesus was born?

What is funnier is that I was introduced to this story by a Jesuit priest who mentioned it during Scripture class, back when I was a freshmen at a Catholic high school. I never understood the nature of faith and doubt until I met the Jesuits. Faith and doubt have the same relationship that light and shadow have. Without light, there can be no shadow. Without doubt, there can be no faith. Anyone who says otherwise is probably trying to sell you something. Seriously.

And in a moment of synchronicity, a real supernova seems to have anticipated Arthur C Clarke’s death.