Science vs Religion?

Question

up unitl last year i was a catholic and the complaints laid against the religion were often well informed
however religious criticisms of science are shockingly misinformed it makes me cringe when evolution bashers get their facts so wrong a first year biology student could correct them

my question is

is it fair to say that scientists critising religion know more about religion than religous people critising science know about science?

Answer 1

Generally speaking....Yes. I am a Wetland Biologist and I have read almost all of the Bible and been exposed to many different religions. But most religious fanatics that I have spoken with have not exposed themselves to science because a lot of it goes against their religious teachings. To me you can not believe in something until you have learned about it. But, I guess that is why they call it "Blind Faith".

Answer 2

Here is the difference:
When a scientist makes a fact it isn't just something he thought up in his head, it usually is conducted by research so he has more evidence to prove his point. Basically a scientist tells you strait facts or an unproven theory; that is why there more believable.

A religious person usually reads a script in the bible and takes it as how he wants it. He doesn't take the time to actually read it and do research to prove it. That is why you always have another person read the same script and he takes it differently. Basically religious people don't understand the bible completely they just take how they want it. They do the same thing when they try to prove a scientist wrong and they look at there details take one little detail and exploit it. There is tons of stuff in the bible that is incorrect; which was proven by a scientist. They need to update the bible in a way to make easier to understand which is difficult and dangerous because one wrong word or statement could turn out very bad.

Answer 3

I don't think there has to be a battle between science and religion. They are two different things altogether. The Catholic church, officially, by-and-large is pro-science and accepting of science, even the theory of evolution.

It's not really science vs. religion, it's science vs. some people's interpretation of religion.

Where we get into trouble a lot is that people think they have to believe a certain thing about the age of the earth, or the manner in which it was created in order to adhere to their faith. There is no reason, from a Christian standpoint anyway, that any Christian has to accept the Genesis creation story as a literal retelling of events. It is fine to accept it as metaphor and allegory.

Ask a Christian where it is written that the Bible cannot be interpreted metaphorically or that it is a sin to do so. They won't be able to find it. They think they MUST believe in literalness, because they think that if it's not literal it's not true. That, of course, is nonsense.

Answer 4

Is it very rare that a scientist will criticize religion. However, religious people will often take a scientific discovery as some sort of criticism, if it happens to contradict what they have been teaching. The only field where scientists actually come face to face with religion is archeology. The bible, and other religious texts are often used as references to historical events (though not exclusively).
So, I wouldn't say it is fair to say that scientists know more about religion, but rather that scientist know more about science than religious people know about their religion.

Answer 5

Yes - and no.

It is factually correct to say that the majority of religious people that critise science are ill informed.

However, I do not see scientists critising religion. I dont see them even testing religion - unless they are given money by the Templeton Foundation to do so. Scientists dont waste time attempting to prove a negative - there is no need to prove negatives. I think that the majority of people that critise religion are well educated in science, but are not the actual scientists...

Answer 6

Have you ever heard the fact that many famous scientists and geniuses have attempted to understand where we came from, and failed. They know that we could've just erupted from non-life into life, but the chances of this are VERY small. Even Einstein once said that in order for everything to make sense, we would have to ASSUME A GOD. My answer to your question would be no, it's not. We cannot speak of what we do not know. It would be wrong to say that scientists know more. Maybe the people that you heard criticizing science didn't know that much, but some people do. A lot of people do. It is almost impossible that this endless universe, all of it, was formed because of a few atoms that coincedentally came together. This may or may not answer your question, and since you probably posted your question to gain approval of your opinion, you would hate my answer, not read it, and not care what I have to say. But the truth is, I am a Christian, and NOTHING you say will sway me from ever believing that God exists, that He loves us, and that Jesus died for our sins. Believe what you like, but understand that others may hold different opinions that contradict, or even insult yours.

Answer 7

Yes it is. The majority of religious people I've met have never bothered to research the big bang or evolution, made evident by the question often asked 'If we came from monkeys, why are there still monkeys?'
I have read several parts of the bible, and have grown up with some religious family members and friends. So I know religion, and I know that I don't think there is a shred of evidence that it is possible.

Answer 8

Scientists are generally college educated, where they have to take a variety of core classes, including some religion. On the other hand, religious people may or may not be educated, so it's probably fair to speculate that scientists have a higher chance of knowing about religion, than religious people have of knowing about science.

This is, notably, a generalization, and may not be true.

Answer 9

That's been my experience. Religion's a good thing as long as it doesn't repress, which certain religions have a history of. It lives today, when presented with evidence that contradicts what they've practiced for years, they immediately say NO without looking into it. Reminds me of Galileo spending time in prison for his findings. You think of how the Greeks thought of their gods to explain the univers, that has long since been discredited. I think a lot of religious people fear the same thing happening to theirs. Science isn't about disproving religion, it's about facts and theories, that scientists must defend from ignorant attacks.

Answer 10

I would be willing to bet that scientists could care less about criticising religion. What happens, when science makes a discovery the church attacks the scientists. The church is frightened that science will be able to explain all of the "miracles" that the church uses as weapons for their flock. This is bad, for, if man was to start to listen to science more than church, well, less money in those collection plates.