Can religion ever keep up with science?

Question

It's obvious that religion is forever stuck in the past. It can never evolve, unlike science which is always evolving. Isn't it benefical as a species to figure out how the world and universe work? I believe that religion has run it's course, it's time for a "new" religion, called Science.

“In some respects, science has far surpassed religion in delivering awe. How is it that hardly any major religion has looked at science and concluded, “This is better than we thought! The Universe is much bigger than our prophets said, grander, more subtle, more elegant. God must be greater than we ever dreamed”? Instead they say, “No, no, no! My god is a little god and I want him to stay that way.” A religion, old or new, that stressed the magnificence of the Universe as revealed by modern science might be able to draw forth reserves of reverence and awe hardly tapped by conventional faiths. Sooner or later, such a religion will emerge.” Carl Sagan

Answer 1

Science is slowly explaining God's wonders. That doesn't mean that science is disproving the existence of God. We're just starting to replace fact with superstition. We have a long way to go. We will never know everything there is to know in this life.

Every time I read of some new marvel of science, it just puts me more in awe of God and His creation. This is I think what He intended. He gave us minds to think with. I see the wonders of the universe as proof that God does indeed exist.

The problem is that little minds who are steeped in holy-rolling religion can't or won't look beyond their noses. They have no aptitude for science, therefore they choose to oppose it.

Religious philosophy is changing all the time. It's not universally evident, but it is happening.

Answer 2

It is odd that you would say that religion is stuck in the past when the Bible covers everything from the beginning of time to the end of time on into eternity. The reason that science keeps changing is because what is held as fact can change with a new discovery. Maybe you like to pin your hopes on something that changes all the time but I don't. My God is the same yesterday, today, tomorrow and forever. That gives me comfort and strength. Many people have embraced the religion of Science and that is sad.

Dr. Carl Sagan's words do live on after him but he is dead and he was dead wrong. God is creator of the universe and the "billions and billions of stars" that Carl Sagan is remembered for talking about. He now knows the truth that even scientific knowlege comes from God but alas it is too late.

Answer 3

When asking your question, you made the assuption that religon is not, or is having trouble, keeping up with science.

This is not true. Actually, science does not really 'evolve'. With each passing day we learn more about science. Two-thousand years ago, atoms were still composed of a nucleus and electrons, but we hadn't figured it out yet. There are things we cannot explain, perhaps we may never be able to explain, but there is reason behind them.

I believe, honestly, that science only proves that God exists, rather than the opposite. In the Quran, the holy book of Islam, there are things explained that we have only now discovered.

Answer 4

"Believers" and "Nonbelievers" make the same mistake when they talk about religion competing with science. Religion is not ABOUT "how the world and universe work." That is what science is about. Science is not about "What is good? What is beautiful? How do I relate to it all?" That is what religion is about. (Or you may call it spirituality, or philosophy; most atheists have strong values and an idea about how they "relate to it all.")

Science can tell you what will happen when a rock thrown at speed impacts a human head. Science has nothing to say about whether you should throw the rock. In order to decide whether you should throw the rock, though, you do need to know both what the scientific effects will be, and what non-scientific values and relationships are non-scientifically important to you.

Science is facts about things. Religion is stories about things. Religious people make a mistake when they say that because their stories are important, they must be factually true. Scientific people make an equal mistake when they say that because religious stories are not factually true, they are not important.

Answer 5

Science is not a religion, it lacks fudamental values associated with virtually all modern religions; Morals, Ethics, Social Laws, Virtues, Commandments... etc.

Not to say either is superior, actually I believe them too different to be compared. Science is an art of manipulating the future; religion is a study of our past and a code we might choose to follow or live by. You can't have faith in science, like one might have in religion. An you can't compare ideas 2-3-4,000 years old with modern discoveries; in that aspect religion will always come up short.

Somehow no matter how modern or advanced we may become, the laws and ethics that began the world... and this country will never loose thier place.

Answer 6

In many ways, religion and science deal in different realms. Science in the material and empirical realm, and religion in the spiritual realm. Trying to explain one without the other will always give an incomplete picture of reality.

But that doesn't seen to stop a lot of people from trying.

Answer 7

sounds like you are only referring to some religions.

remember there are those now a days that even has alien theories in their preaching.

religion and science actually goes hand in hand. people just don't see that way.

science tries to prove or disprove religious history and theory. while religion gives science something to do ;-P

to try to explain and push the envelop of knowledge further and further.

cause people tend to find religion when things are unexplainable. then science comes in. and the cycle keeps on going.

Answer 8

I believe one of the problems with "religion" is that it does evolve.
One of the things that makes Christianity - not religion - appealing is that it does not evolve. God is the same - yesterday, today and tomorrow. Why would I want to worship a God who keeps changing? You would never know what the rules are; the road to salvation would change from one day to the next, you would not know what to expect.
Religion on the other-hand continues to change according to people's whims and desires - it is not based on what God wants, but what man wants.
Christianity is about love - for one another and God.
Religion is about lust - for power, money, etc.
By the way - I think you have it backwards

Answer 9

The problem, my friend, is that you (and many) have it backwards. Religion is not stuck in the past. It is the future.
Take the first chapter of Genesis, and its description of the creation of the world. It matches what science has described...only the Bible said it 6000 years ago, and science said it 100 years ago.
The problem is not with God, religion, or the written scriptures. The problem is when people interpret these and get stuck on what THEY think something means. The Bible does not say the earth is flat...but some people interpreted it as such. The Bible does not say the earth is the center of the universe...but some people interpreted it as such. The problem is therein...the interpretations.

Answer 10

I wish Christians would not be afraid of science. Science has discovered many wonderful things and it's helped us understand things that we could not describe. Look at the stars and the galaxies. Look at the human body and the geneome (sp). Science allows us to see a complexity created by God. Science has also helped us see how life has adapted or evolved. If we Christians ignore the truth because of fear then we paint ourselves into a corner of narrow minded absolutes. When we step outside of ourselves and our finite minds we realize that God is more awesome than we could ever imagine.

Science is just a process of creating premises and discovering truth. It is a useful tool. It's not always right but it is very effective. The awe of the human spirit and the election of humans beings as being created in the image of the creator far surpasses science and all of creation. How amazing it is that this wonderful God considers us over the rest of creation. This is beyond comprehension.

Science helps us see truth from one angle. It helps us discover truth. Truth is not to be feared because God is a God of truth. Let truth speak for itself.