Do people understand what science is?

Question

I have read a lot of questions and answers here dealing with such issues as creationism vs. evolution or whether there is a god, etc., that seem to proceed from a basic misunderstanding of what science is, i.e., what questions science attempts to answer, and how science goes about trying to answer these questions, as opposed to what questions religion attempts to answer, and how religion goes about answering questions. Does anybody agree that this problem is part of the reason why people on both sides of these debates seem to have difficulty understanding each other?

Answer 1

I think that's at the core of it. Religion and science are two disciplines that have their own sphere of influence without really interacting. While we can find some overlap, they are as different from each other as some of the other forces of life such as sentience and aesthetics. But both seek to destroy the other because of the personalities involved. In my opinion it's mainly because they are threatened by the other due to a lack of understanding. I have posted in response to scientific suppositions, but I have also posted in response to religious assumptions. While they could both be correct, they have very little crossover value and very few on one side understand the other side's view.


EDIT: The mind that does not accept the possibilities of the other side is the closed mind. To say that Christians are the only ones with closed minds is a very closed-minded attitude. Especially when science by-and-large will not be open to the possibilites that religion also has valid answers.

Answer 2

Science proves the rules of God absolutely.

For every action there is an opposite and equal reaction.

That can be demonstrated over and over.

For it to be SCIENCE, anyone can do the things following the instructions and it will work, over and over.

Science has never put amino acids into a flask, shaken it and created life.

Therefore, Darwin is a THEORY not FACT.

Big Bang is a THEORY not FACT.

If you mix a set of chemical per a formual, something will happen, exactly as specified. THAT IS A FACT.

A fact, is getting from the Earth to the Moon by using SCIENCE.

This is what Science is about, not if tommorow will rain or not. Not if the Big One is coming or not. That's soft science!

Answer 3

I wouldnt categorize evolution as science, because there's no evidence of it (mAcroevolution) which is what the theory stands for, however, there is such thing as microevolution which happens all the time, but that is not what the theory is about. People must mix a bit of truth with a bunch of lies , making it very credible so that people will see the little evidence and perceive it as a fact

Answer 4

Tha'ts a very good observation. Most people just don't know when to ask for a scientific answer and a religious one when its so obvious that religion concerns itself with the metaphysical while science with the physical universe.

It is very important to know that Science does not teach about things not physical(God and spirits). It doesn't prove or disprove the existence of God since it can't make observations to gather data. And the Bible was not meant to teach scientific facts, otherwise we'd stop going to the doctor for medicine and search the Bible instead to cure athlete's foot.

Answer 5

Science seeks to discover naturalistic answers to the questions it addresses. It does not allow for supernatural explanations as religion does. There lies the inevitable grounds for disagreement between the two on numerous issues.

For example, science demands a naturalistic explanation for the origin of species by definition, whereas religion grants God (however he/she may be defined) free reign over the affairs of the universe he created.

The attempt by some Christians to reconcile naturalistic evolution with their faith in God (theistic evolution), in my opinion, shouldn't really satisfy anyone, especially a scientist properly defined.

Answer 6

Religion appeals to faith, which outside the domain of religion, is universally considered stupid even by the most devout religious person. If you ask someone why they believe in gravity and they answered "because I have faith", you would rightfully consider them insane.

Science consistently uses the process of reason without ever appealing to faith.

The main difference between the two is special pleading (religion) vs. valid method (science). There is no reason the scientific process should not be used universally.

Answer 7

Understanding theology is quite easy.

Make up any sh*t you want and just say god-did-it.

Science is the exact opposite. Reserve judgment, study the phenomenon, make predictions, validate or disprove the hypothesis, and publish the results for peer review.

The reason why scientific explanations are so misunderstood by theists is because they are ignorant. Pure and simple. They have no desire to learn the facts of reality, because the mental bubble they have worked so hard to create and maintain is far more comforting than the truth.

Answer 8

There are hundreds of branches of science, just like there are hundreds of religions. Sometimes their paths cross, sometimes they don't.

Some science is trying to answer the questions regarding the origin of life, and the universe...religion tackles these same issues.

Sometimes there is a lack of understanding, sometimes its a lack of wanting to understand.

Answer 9

The problem is that science is based on fact, not just believeing in something that someone told you. With religion, you just have to believe without seeing proof.

Answer 10

Religion and Science look at the same things differently, that does not make the things they look at different.