This one's for all you scientists out there...?

Question

Can you prove that Science isn't just another religion. Or more accurately, that science isn't just the illegitimate spawn of it's father, secular humanism (the 2nd oldest religion)? Or to make it interesting, explain the difference between faith in science and a religion?

Answer 1

Ruth, that is incredibly perceptive, I would have to say that is Secular Humanism in its highest form. I love the scripture that says "Science falsly called so" God has always known what they would do.

Answer 2

By definition Science is not a religion. But I will give you that some religions base their tenants on science.

Science came from philosophy. Not Secular Humanism.

How old do you think Secular Humanism is? I am a Secular Humanist and would like to know where you heard it is the 2nd oldest religion. EVIDENCE PLEASE!

There is no faith in science. By using the word faith you are implying that there is no evidence. Science requires evidence.

Answer 3

Science and spirituality are two different fields, science works more on reality and proof, so that there is perfect authenticity as to why things are happening.

Reasoning is most important in any field. Science tries to find out the reasons for all happenings. Faith is again different. According to science faith is just a strong belief which each individual has, may be positive, may be negative, but that really depends on the person.

Faith and miracles according to science are nothing but supernatural things, and supernatural things are nothing but the natural things which have not yet been discovered or found out. Once we scientists find the reasons and uncover the secrets, it will all be good.

Good luck.

Answer 4

Science has proofs, formulas that make sense. Science doesn't ask you just to close you eyes and "have faith" like religion does. Once you have proven facts and can show me step by step, with logic why I should believe in any God, I might consider changing my mind. In the meanwhile science isn't a religion it's science! You don't have faith in science, at least I don't because it's not a religion, there are proofs, facts, 1+1=2 kinds of things, more complicated but you get my drift. Religion asks you to just trust in something you never saw, never heard, never felt, just read in a very old book...that's it!

Answer 5

Science refers to any system of knowledge attained by verifiable means (testing and observation.)
It is not a religion.
Everyone has some faith in science ie that if you put your hand in hot water - you'll get burnt. Because you have tried it before and it hurts. Science never prooves anything it just says what has been found out. So it is what it is.
Religion is what it is - a religion.
Religion is separate from faith in religion, and is a topic for religious people.
Science and religion are separate things.

Answer 6

Religion is defined as having dogmas, sacred books, rites, worship, sacrament, moral prescription, interdicts, organization.

Science is:

1. Observation and description of a phenomenon or group of phenomena.
2. Formulation of a hypothesis to explain the phenomena. In physics, the hypothesis often takes the form of a causal mechanism or a mathematical relation.
3. Use of the hypothesis to predict the existence of other phenomena, or to predict quantitatively the results of new observations.
4. Performance of experimental tests of the predictions by several independent experimenters and properly performed experiments.

As you can see the differences between what makes something science and what makes something religion is quite clear.

Answer 7

Aren't we all scientists? You're making it out as if there's some weird separation here - kinda like saying 'this ones for all you believers in geography out there'. The question itself is flawed. Now, that said, there can be rigidity in any thought system, including science. Even Einstein displayed some major rigidity in his reaction to the implications of quantum physics.

Answer 8

Science isnt a religion because they dont worship anything

Science has proof religion doesnt

Science cured people from illness such as aids,sars etc

Science cured some countries from world hunger with GE plants

Religion

Caused death,wars, everyday hate in certain countries.

Answer 9

The Unity of Religion and Science

A major source of conflict and disunity in the world today is the widespread opinion that there is some basic opposition between science and religion, that scientific truth contradicts religion on some points, and that one must choose between being a religious person, a believer in God, or a scientist, a follower of reason.1

The Bahá'í teachings stress the fundamental harmony of science and religion. This view derives from the belief that truth (or reality) is one. For if truth is indeed one, it is not possible for something to be scientifically false and religiously true. 'Abdu'l-Bahá expressed forcefully this idea in the following passage:

If religious beliefs and opinions are found contrary to the standards of science, they are mere superstitions and imaginations; for the antithesis of knowledge is ignorance, and the child of ignorance is superstition. Unquestionably there must be agreement between true religion and science. If a question be found contrary to reason, faith and belief in it are impossible, and there is no outcome but wavering and vacillation.2

Bahá'u'lláh affirmed that man's intelligence and reasoning powers are a gift from God: "This gift giveth man the power to discern the truth in all things, leadeth him to that which is right, and helpeth him to discover the secrets of creation."3 Science results from our systematic use of these God-given powers. The truths of science are thus discovered truths. The truths of prophetic religion are revealed truths, i.e., truths which God has shown to us without our having to discover them for ourselves. Bahá'ís consider that it is the same unique God who is both the Author of revelation and the Creator of the reality which science investigates, and hence there can be no contradiction between the two.

Contradictions between science and traditional religious beliefs are attributed to human fallibility and arrogance. Over the centuries, distortions have gradually infiltrated the doctrines of many religious systems and diluted the pure teachings originally given by the Manifestation who was their Founder. With time these distortions become increasingly difficult to distinguish from the original message. Similarly, unsupported speculations of various schools of scientific thought have at times become more popular and influential than the results of rigorous scientific research, and have further blurred the picture.

'Abdu'l-Bahá affirmed that religion and science are, in fact, complementary:

Religion and science are the two wings upon which man's intelligence can soar into the heights, with which the human soul can progress. It is not possible to fly with one wing alone! Should a man try to fly with the wing of religion alone he would quickly fall into the quagmire of superstition, whilst on the other hand, with the wing of science alone he would also make no progress, but fall into the despairing slough of materialism.4

In another passage from the same work, He affirmed that the result of the practice of the unity of science and religion will be a strengthening of religion rather than its weakening as is feared by many religious apologists:

When religion, shorn of its superstitions, traditions, and unintelligent dogmas, shows its conformity with science, then will there be a great unifying, cleansing force in the world which will sweep before it all wars, disagreements, discords and struggles--and then will mankind be united in the power of the Love of God.5

1. Adapted from William S. Hatcher and Douglas Martin, The Bahá'í Faith: The Emerging Global Religion (San Francisco: Harper and Row, 1985), pp. 87-89.
2. `Abdu'l-Bahá, The Promulgation of Universal Peace (Wilmette: Bahá'í Publishing Trust, 1922. 2nd edition 1982, p. 181.
3. Bahá'u'lláh, Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá'u'lláh (Wilmette: Bahá'í Publishing Trust, 1939. 2d rev. ed. 1976), p. 194.
4. 'Abdu'l-Bahá, Paris Talks (London: Bahá'í Publishing Trust, 1969), p. 143.
5. 'Abdu'l-Bahá, Paris Talks (London: Bahá'í Publishing Trust, 1969), p. 146.

Answer 10

Science is the study of life in which/that humans/people study.

Answer 11

Truth does not demand belief. Scientists do not join hands every Sunday, singing, "Yes, gravity is real! I will have faith! I will be strong! I believe in my heart that what goes up, up, up must come down, down, down. Amen!" If they did, we would think they were pretty insecure about it.

- Dan Barker, preacher turned atheist