As a religious person, have you ever chosen to believe religious teachings over scientific facts or *theories?

Question

* I mean theory from a scientific definition; something that has significant evidence to back it up.

Answer 1

if i am faced with evidence ... then i would be silly not to accept it
if it is only a theory then i will examine that theory to see if it makes sense for me
i would never put science over religion or vice versa ... i can have both

Answer 2

Actually there is no real difference between science theory and any other type of theory!!! Seriously.

Good science theories tend to have evidence to back them up but sometimes some pretty solid ones are discarded like Newton's laws. These are now seen as an approximation.

The only theory I know religious people (mostly christians) question is evolution. Certainly, its not an easy theory to conclusively prove but we don't have any better theories and we certainly do see some general patterns. It is a HUGE mistake to think that evolution and creationism (intelligent design or what not) are the ONLY explanations. There may be others. Just because we don't have them does not mean they don't exist.

Again, relativity and the like, were unheard of until the 20 century start. Biology is far more complicated than physics to study.

Answer 3

"I mean theory from a scientific definition; something that has significant evidence to back it up."

Or is thought to. At one time, the theory that the sun revolved around the earth had "significant evidence to back it up."

See the case of Belshazzar of the book of Daniel. How many times did the critics of the existence of Belshazzar come up with new stories to explain what was continually being discovered about that character through archeological records.

First, he didn't exist. Second, he did exist, because archeology proved it. But he must not have been old enough to rule. Then it was discovered that he was old enough. So ok, then the charge is laid that he couldn't have been king. But then the records are uncovered that in his fathers absence, he was old enough to be given the title "King", and was given that title. After a while, it just got humorous to watch them grab at new straws.

I mean, when I see stuff like that happen over and over again? The Bible being proved right, even though at times, "scientific theories" are out there to discredit it? I tend to go with the racehorse that comes through in the final stretch every time.

8^)

Answer 4

No. I haven't. I think that a person can believe both. It's obvious that the Earth exists. There are several religious beliefs and many theories. Do I have to choose one over the other? I should be able to believe in science and religion.

Answer 5

As a Christian Pastor I have never had a conflict between scientific theories and my belief in God.
For instance, I can not deny the fact of dinosaurs as I can go to any museum and see the skeletal remains.
But then the Bible is concerned with the 6,000 or so years of human existence and not dinosaurs.

Answer 6

No.

One of the beautiful things about being a Pagan is that we take our religion FROM science and the natural world. When scientists discover something new, it just gets incorporated into our belief system. Instead of looking to an ancient book of fairy tales for our beliefs, we look to the physical world as it is right this minute.

Interestingly, cutting-edge science is finding much evidence pointing to the correctness of many Pagan ideas. Quantum physics, for instance, is proving many principles of magick that have been in use by shamans for thousands of years.

Blessed be.

Answer 7

Well, facts are facts and there's no denying them. Theories are just that and have yet to be proven. To be honest with you though, in my religion I have not yet found any discrepancies between religion and science. And in being honest with myself, I've come to learn that anything involving science that contradicts God is not factual, and anything religious that contradicts science is not from God. In my view, God created the world around us including science, so why wouldn't God know about His creation?
From my own studies, I've concluded that for example evolution is real, and it doesn't contradict my religious views in any way, however I've also concluded that evolution from apes is highly unlikely, and still has yet to be proven. Evolution even in the smallest ways still constitute as evolution, and in my religious texts, God says that if He wanted, He could replace us with a peoples better than us. When comparing men from the stone age to men from today, I don't doubt that has already happened. Maybe a few times?

Answer 8

I am not religious but I do have a relationship with Jesus Christ. I find this very interesting because in my studies I have learned that Christ is Science. Have you ever watched the Naked Archaeologist? He is not a Christian but wanted proof of Moses and the Exodus. He went to the Bible for the location of the Exodus and found cave writings from a persons trials in the desert. No one had ever went to the Bible for the location. Peace out.

Answer 9

Yes, I have. The theory of evolution is highly flawed, and there are things that point to the supernatural instead of the natural. So I do believe my religion over what some scientists say.

Answer 10

despite all evidence, a theory is just a theory until it is proven. I have never chosen religion over fact. But I have chosen religion over theory many times.

Answer 11

No, never. Even before I was involved in Bible teachings, I rejected any sciences that did not make any sense. Anthropology, involving the pseudo-science of evolution, was something I could never swallow, not that it is entirely wrong.

The Bible, when referring to any concept of science-is fully in agreement with science that has passed the "scientific method" test.

Bible texts that have credence in science written long before any of the laws of science were established. Please note a reference to the invisible forces maintaing earths fixed orbit.

Job 26:7 (Holman Christian Standard Bible)
Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

7 He stretches the northern [skies] over empty space;
He hangs the earth on nothing.

A reference to the water cycle is at: Ecclesiates 1:5 The sun rises and the sun sets;
panting, [it returns] to its place (F)
where it rises.
6 Gusting to the south,
turning to the north,
turning, turning, goes the wind, (G)
and the wind returns in its cycles.
7 All the streams flow to the sea,
yet the sea is never full.
The streams are flowing to the place,
and they flow there again.

Also a reference that has been connected to Einstein's E=mc2 In reference to the stars:

Isaiah 40:
21 Do YOU people not know? Do YOU not hear? Has it not been told to YOU from the outset? Have YOU not applied understanding from the foundations of the earth? 22 There is One who is dwelling above the CIRCLE(MY CAP.)of the earth, the dwellers in which are as grasshoppers, the One who is stretching out the heavens just as a fine GAUZE(MY CAP) who spreads them out like a tent in which to dwell,
. 26 “Raise YOUR eyes high up and see. Who has created these things? It is the One who is bringing forth the army of them even by number, all of whom he calls even by name. Due to the abundance of DYNAMIC ENERGY(MY CAP.) he also being vigorous in power, not one [of them] is missing.

Even in the Greek Scriptures please note outstanding statements in life:
1 Corinthians 15:39 Not all flesh is the same flesh, but there is one of mankind, and there is another flesh of cattle, and another flesh of birds, and another of fish. 40 And there are heavenly bodies, and earthly bodies; but the glory of the heavenly bodies is one sort, and that of the earthly bodies is a different sort. 41 The glory(COLOR-MY CAP) of the sun is one sort, and the glory of the moon is another, and the glory of the stars is another; in fact, star differs from star in glory"
These writings date back to at least 1400 bce.

Good question!