Why do people have more faith in religion than in science?

Question

I don't mean to sound like a religion basher but I don't get it. Why do people have more faith in religion than in scientific explanations such as the Big Bang? I can't honestly believe that we came from a man in the sky. I have to go by the facts, and most of the facts give different explanations for our existence…. and most of these explanations are based off of years and years of scientific research. I have more faith in the Big Bang and the Big Crunch than I do in the man in the sky.

T, science does require some faith in theories. But those theories come from years and years of research and the little facts they have discovered through that research.

Answer 1

Here's my theory: People have more choice over what they *believe* than what they *understand*.

Scientific concepts are often difficult to *understand*. The Big Bang theory doesn't really make sense unless you understand a little quantum theory and relativity ... it just doesn't *feel* like a satisfying explanation for anything. It requires you to accept the concept that questions like "what happened before the big bang?" are just meaningless because nothing could happen "before" time itself existed (because the meaning of the word "before" presupposes the existence of time).

[Aside: I am more perplexed about why evolution is so difficult to understand. It is actually a very simple theory ... so simple in fact, that the danger is that people believe it because of its simplicity, when the reason scientists accept it is because of the *evidence*. In my opinion, it must take a great deal of effort *not* to understand it ... i.e., what I read from most (but not all) creationists indicates a huge effort to *avoid* understanding the theory of evolution in order to avoid the temptation of accepting it.]

This is made worse by the fact that science is taught badly in schools, and many people were made to feel stupid because they didn't understand something. This leads to a fundamental distrust of science, and of scientists ... that it is all just a conspiracy to use big words and complicated math to make others feel inadequate.

It is much easier to choose to simply *believe* something that you don't have to understand. You do not have to understand *why* God created the universe in order to believe that He did. God's reasons can be accepted as mystery.

However, I do *not* think that faith is an inferior path to truth than reasoning. Even an athiest (and I am not one) has things that he *believes* to be true without any evidence or reasoning to support it. Most athiests have a concept of morality rooted in the idea that some actions are merely "wrong", and other things are "the right thing to do."

Even the question of believing in science is, fundamentally, an article of faith ... specifically, that reasoning is a path to truth.

So both faith and reason are equal parts of being a complete human being. That's why I battle against any efforts to say that one should be chosen over, or even considered superior to, the other.

Answer 2

Religion requires faith; science requires skepticism. The only faith that science requires is the belief that the physical world is knowable through the physical evidence. As a layman, I may need to have some trust, that the data are valid and the analyses are correct, but this is very different from taking it on faith. A scientist would trust the results only after multiple independent confirmations, and even then, a good scientist will think about what might have been overlooked.

The problem with faith is that it seduces you into thinking you already know, and stops you from asking questions. If you don't question, you don't learn.

Answer 3

Science changes over the years. You believe in the big bang theory. Where did the things come from to make the big bang? Everything has a beginning and that is God. Science says we were descended from apes or fish. Did you ever hear of any animal changing into another animal and never doing it again? No! They may change some looks or size but they still stay the same animal. Even a tadpole that changes into a frog always goes through the same process.

Answer 4

Laziness and ignorance. It takes a lot of work for most people to understand the methods and conclusions of science. It is much easier to just go with the traditions afforded by religions. Also, most people are more interested in how to run their day-to-day lives and how to deal with other people. Religions provide pat answers for what they are wanting to know. Science, on the othe rhand, does not deal with morality or what is the 'right' thing to do. So when the conclusions of the (in their mind useless) sciences contradict the faith of their (in their minds useful) religion, they go for the religion.

Answer 5

Read any book by Gerald Shroeder. If you are a scientist who has struggled with spirituality (like me), his books work out all the details for you. I started with "The Science of God." After reading this book, I can truly say that science and religion can cooperate. Please know that the man in the sky is real. There wouldn't be any science without him!

Answer 6

ok the following is the precedence, you're arguing apples to oranges and that incorporates atheists. Creationism is in accordance to faith, no longer technology. Evolution is in accordance to technology, no longer faith. The Bible changed into exceeded down orally for thousands of years till now it changed into written, ever performed the game "telephone"? It probably isn't the precise way it exceeded off, maximum probably it really is not. the point of the Bible, what many lose, is the which ability in the back of the tale, no longer who did what/the position. what's it attempting to inform you to do consisting of your existence? understanding what king defeated what guy in some conflict gained't help you, neither is understanding the way issues were created. in case you've faith God created the international, then He did. in case you've faith each thing exceeded off therefore of the large Bang, then it did. comply with disagree because both arguments can in no way be solved, you're comparing separate issues.

Answer 7

I believe that religion offeres the illusion of control to the believer. If they please they're god, then he will bestow favors upon them If they live a certain way, then they will be rewarded.

In science, every question that is answered brings forth 2 more questions. That's never going to be as comforting.

And of course, there is the lack of scientific comprehension that holds some back

vvvvvv.

Answer 8

Not all people have more faith in religion than in science..
There just happens to be a lot more ignorant & stupid people
than educated & smart people which is why there are more
people believing in religion than science..

Answer 9

Science should never be a matter of faith. Science should be empirically demonstratable, or lacking that, subject to later revision as theories are subjected to scrutiny. Dogma is bad enough when it is part of religion, but it's even worse when it is incorporated into "science".

Answer 10

You are correct. But as we believe THAT INFACT, religion was invented by people, and sought into "less impoarable and less minded persons". But we need to worry more about science because, maybe unlike religion, it is fact, not fiction. God exists, but so does science. Do you understand? So, not many children, ages 4-17 are interested in science more than religion. If you ask a 14 year old; are you interested in nacreous or lanticular clouds? They would most likely answer; "I don't care-- I guess my religion, "GREEK ORTHODOX" is more expensive to me." Or if you ask about grass, or blue grass, or types of grass. They would not care. HOWEVER, there is something we actually CAN do. Even though you might not like clouds, and not be interested, the site I will show you; YOU WILL LIKE: it is about Antarctica's nacreous clouds. Please keep in mind that you CAN influence your children to care about science by searching and giving them such websites. They may not be interested in the subject, but they will like it if the website is good. One friend of mine wasn't interested in religion-- he was jewish. But as he grew in his 30's, I gave him a web on religion, making a big mistake, but setting an example on "laws of interest (LOI)" and he was interested in the religion of ISLAM. He went back to Russia for a few years, and came back, changing his name and religion. But as an example of LOI, I would try and find an interesting link on science that would state your side of the fence, and try to bring you friend's side of fence over to yours to. Do some research on science, and get on with finding out. Think about what I said here. Unfortunatly I may have not given you your "TRUE" answer, but I gave you tips. The easiest tip on science is clouds, although not easy at all. Check out this website... I'm a science freek and not a religious freek at all. Thank you. (About lanticular clouds, DO NOT SEARCH WIKIPEDIA, search google, MSN, HotBot or Dogpile search)