To YOU, can religion and science coexist?

Question

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2004/10/1018_041018_science_religion.html

I love all of your answers. Thank you for being so open-minded!

Answer 1

Of course they can. And they SHOULD.

The trouble comes the the "rules' for one are applied to the other.

This is the essential problem with religious fundamentalism of any kind. The proofs of scientific rationalism cannot be applied to religion.

Religious "truths" (mythos) cannot be demonstrated by rational proof: their insights are more intuitive, like those of art, music, poetry, or sculpture.

Scientific rationalism (logos) is very concrete - but cannot point towards any of the intuitive "truths" of religion.


The operate in separate spheres of life. Trying to conflate them only results in bad science and bad religion.

Answer 2

Science and Religion can and do coexist.

Science is a search for how things happen, Religion is a search for why things happen. The conflict between the two occurs when people get these things mixed up.

Creationists, Intelligent Design Advocates and Fundamentalists err when they look to their beliefs and religious literature to explain how life occurred on earth, how interactions occur, and how a person must believe and live.

Extreme Atheists, however, err when they try to search scientific theories, such as evolution, and Big Bang for the reason why we exist, and the basis for ethics.

Ironically, while most people are aware of this, they don't do it. Southern Baptists adapt how they read the Bible after they make friends with a gay man. Biology professors pray and seek comfort in God. It happens all the time.

Answer 3

Yes, they can coexist. If we understand the nature of religion and the nature of science, we should be able to reconcile both views in general. By nature, religion is top-down approach. This is particularly true for 3 big religions: Christianity, Islam and Judaism. I am not really sure about other religions, but I think Buddhism started from the time when Siddharta Gautama received enlightenment. That is what I know (please correct me if I am wrong). Then people started teaching and preaching values based on the revelation. Science, in the other hand, is bottom-up approach. People see things then try to conclude something: theory, formulas, etc. If you understand logic, there are 2 ways to draw conclusion: deductive and inductive. In deductive logic, you start with general statement then go to more specific statements. For example: All students have to go for exam Michael is a student Conclusion: Michael has to go for exam This logic is more suitable to religions beliefs and values. But you must ensure those statements are correct before you can draw correct conclusion. In inductive logic, you start with specific statement then go to more general statements. For example: Doves have beaks Canaries have beaks Eagles have beaks Conclusion: All birds have beaks This approach is more suitable to science and research. The problem is, although the statements are true you may end up in wrong conclusion. For example: Doves can fly Canaries can fly Eagles can fly Conclusion: All kinds of bird can fly This is not true because ostriches cannot fly although they are birds. Your data is incomplete so you end up in wrong conclusion. In fact, it is virtually impossible to collect all data and facts in the nature. So, when you find a scientific theory, you must realize that they are not necessarily 100% correct. That's why scientific theories need to be tested and challenged over time. Of course, if you find you can use a reasonably tested theories for the good of human being.

Answer 4

I believe they can...who's to say that God didnt use the methods that science explains to us when creating the Earth, Oceans, Lands, Planets and Universe. Would it be hard to believe that God the most powerful being, created the Universe using what the scientists call the Big Bang. I just noticed that people are using the whole evolution theory to say tha they can not coexist...for those who brought that into play I just want you guys to know that the idea of Evolution is a Theory and not a Scientific fact. Most Scientists dont believe in the "EVOLUTION THEORY" because none of it has been proven..Therefore that is why I DO think that science and religion can find some common ground

Answer 5

Yes. Almighty God invented science. He created the system that keeps everything in balance. The earth set at the right angle to the sun to create our seasons.
(Ecclesiastes 1:4-7) A generation is going, and a generation is coming; but the earth is standing even to time indefinite. 5 And the sun also has flashed forth, and the sun has set, and it is coming panting to its place where it is going to flash forth. 6 The wind is going to the south, and it is circling around to the north. Round and round it is continually circling, and right back to its circlings the wind is returning. 7 All the winter torrents are going forth to the sea, yet the sea itself is not full. To the place where the winter torrents are going forth, there they are returning so as to go forth.

These are firm scientific truths.
The bible is not a science text book but it is accurate when dealing with science.
(Job 26:7) He is stretching out the north over the empty place, Hanging the earth upon nothing;

An accurate picture of the earth from space!.

(Job 26:10) He has described a circle upon the face of the waters, To where light ends in darkness.

The passing shadow of an eclipse?

All very accurate.

Answer 6

Evolution, specifically common descent, tells us how life came to where it is, but it does not say why. If the question is whether evolution disproves the basic underlying theme of Genesis, that God created the world and the life in it, the answer is no. Evolution cannot say exactly why common descent chose the paths that it did.

If the question is whether evolution contradicts a literal interpretation of the first chapter of Genesis as an exact historical account, then it does. This is the main, and for the most part only, point of conflict between those who believe in evolution and creationists.

Answer 7

Religion and science cannot and do not peacefully coexist. Science is a mix of proven facts and wishful personal theory so I do not believe it will ever peacefully coexist with that of which represents sound moral truths.

Dogmatic practice and secularism are identical - both are temptation and both represent no spiritual value. Both exist to control that of which strongly goes against the grain of peace.

Answer 8

Yes, God's works never ends. Science and religion can co-exist, even from the time of the Big Bang. In 2002, USA TODAY had an article in it that said scientists actually could see the origin of the Big Bang, 40 billion years ago. The soundwaves are trillions and trillions of light years in space and still traveling. From that and other matters, I'm convinced that one supports the other.

Answer 9

easily why wouldn't they? In fact, it was my love and study of science (esp astronomy and some quantum mechanics) that reinforced my love and faith in G-d. You'll find many astronomers believe in G-d; it's the only way of not going crazy when you start fathoming the universe and dealing with numbers so large, it's intense

can science and IGNORANCE coexist? no.

Edit: Islam is also historically notorious for producing great scientists

Answer 10

They already do coexist. Metaphysics and quantum physics invovle both religion and science beyond the science of everyday life. Check out What The Bleep Do We Know? and you may find some of the answers you seek.