God at the Speed of Light: The Melding of Science and Spirituality

I had been looking for a book that specifically corelated the scientific structure and nature of light with spirituality. This book did just that. Don't expect an intensly dry scientific, deeply scholarly approach. The book is fairly simple and to the point, but it makes it's point in a clear, readable, straigtforward way. By addressing near death experiences, quantam studies of light, and the cosmological anthropic priciple Baumann makes a case for the existence of God, spirituality, and its immanent proximity to our experience. He does a little Biblical apologetics that is OK, but a tad fundamental for me. Overall I genuinely enjoyed and appreciated this book and would strongly recommend it to those looking into this subject.

Don't judge this book by the negative reviews. Dr. Baumann has an idea that he documents with scientific data. He is not seeking converts but giving you new ways to look at old ideas. If you are totally opposed to any notion of God, don't bother reading it. Because I found it a fascinating read, doesn't mean I am invoking the supernatural. R. Phillips, MD

Worthwhile read. I found the first half a little heavy in the physics and sometimes hard to follow, but the bottom line was always readily apparent. The second half was particularly worthwhile. It does make one think about light, Schroeder's theories and how scientists truly are at a loss to explain it's quirky behavior and ubiquitous presence.

"God at the Speed of Light" is an expertly referenced and well-researched book (over 50 scientific references cited) that methodically establishes the existence of a designing intelligence in the universe. Dr. Baumann's premise is convincingly detailed and defended by scientific fact. The intelligence of physical light is featured through the descriptions of experiments in quantum physics. These complex experiments are described in easily understood layman terms. The implications of these experiments reveal why physicists are one of the most spiritual of all groups of scientists. Likewise, astronomical and cosmological data unveil multiple unmistakable arguments for design in our universe. From the field of medicine, physician Baumann lists documented excerpts from the accounts of various near-death victims, as well as the medical literature, asserting successfully the intimate link between God and the welcoming light of the near-death experience. Similarly, the knowledge that is often imparted by this "Light" correlates well to the intelligence exhibited in the above physics experiments! Lastly, Darwin's theory of evolution (a problem for many spiritual people) is scientifically shown to be inconsistent with the documented geologic findings of the fossil record. Furthermore, scientific and archaeological findings lend literal support to many disputed passages of the Bible. As Dr. Baumann suggests, perhaps descriptions of God in terms of light are not just serendipitous.

Valuable for anyone interested in theology, physics, or both. Dr. Baumann's book is cogently written, with excellent endnotes/references for all chapters. The author convincingly and eruditely presents how quantum physics (among other areas of modern science) supports many spiritual beliefs/concepts pertaining to the afterlife, nature of the universe, multiple dimensions, etc. Likewise, he challenges our ideas of what we might conventionally perceive as "reality" with various plausible theories of existance based on the latest revelations in quantum mechanics, cosmology, the natural sciences, etc. Even if you don't agree with all of its ideas/conclusions (the author certainly doesn't jam them down your throat), this book is most worthwhile to provoke thought, and it just might inspire you to further pursue such studies on your own.I most heartily recommend this book!