In the battle between Theology and Science, is it not instructive to note that the latter had always lost?

Answer 1

I doubt if you got your facts right. In fact the contrary has been the case. It was the eminent Bertrand Russell in his "An Outline of Intellectual Rubbish" (1943) who had this to say:
"Throughout the last 400 years, during which the growth of science had gradually shown men how to acquire knowledge of the ways of nature and mastery over natural forces, the clergy have fought a losing battle against science, in astronomy and geology, in anatomy and physiology, in biology and psychology and sociology. Ousted from one position, they have taken up another. After being worsted in astronomy, they did their best to prevent the rise of geology; they fought against Darwin in biology, and at the present time they fight against scientific theories of psychology and education. At each stage, they try to make the public forget their earlier obscurantism, in order that their present obscurantism may not be recognized for what it is."

Answer 2

As I read the list of means by which a god could communicate with humans, it occurred to me that these are all deeply personal experiences. If I have a dream, there is no way for you, as one who did not have this dream, to evaluate my experience. If you accept my revelation, you do so entirely on my say so. Here's a rhetorical question: What would think of me if I said, "I believe in God because I knew a guy who told me about the time he had a vision?" Now we are having a conversation about the experience of a third party, which neither of us can really evaluate. In contrast, take scientific evidence. We can go to a museum and look at fossil exhibits. We can put some bacteria under a microscope. We can look at the stars through a telescope. In science, we are capable of evaluating the evidence for ourselves. Lastly, there is no peer review in theology. Put scientific experts together and they can largely come to a consensus. Put theologians together and they will claim proper interpretation over one another. In Christianity alone we have over 30 thousand denominations. There are not nearly as many interpretations in physics, chemistry, or biology.

Answer 3

While we're in an "instructive to note" frame of mind, may I point out that the use of "had always lost" indicates the past perfect tense?

The past perfect tense describes an action in the past that is interrupted by a more recent action in the past. For example, "Ernest had always lost at tennis before his new instructor showed him a better way to play."

What you seem to be saying, then is that in the battle between theology and science (whatever that may be) theology used to win, but doesn't anymore. Is this what you intended?

In the battle between an excess of cleverness and grammar, grammar has always won.

Answer 4

NO!

In the batlle between science and religion Everybody loses. It isn't suposed to be a fight, those who think there is are simply mistaken. Its reallyu sad to see some atheist here on R&S trying to disproof God by using scientific arguments (which simply cannot be done), and some theist triyng to disproof science with religious argument.

Science is about our understanding of the world while religion is about our relation with God and amongst ourselves. Science can't awnser things like the meaning of life or its purpose. In the same way, you won't find nothing about Gravity, the atom or Evolution in the Bible simply because Religion is NOT about these things.

I don't care what your religion is, if you promote a fight between Religion and science youre wrong.

Its like trying to decide which one is better: the San Antonio Spurs or the tennist Roger Federer, its just not the same sport.

Answer 5

All though out history there have been those that claim to have all the answers, the absolutes, the reasons for everything and anything. It is nothing new. Einstein observed that numerous times in his quotes. As did President Eisenhower. This is shown by the ever changing "theory of evolution" that some claim to be fact, and yet it is ever changing. Quite humorous.


"It is a miracle that curiosity survives formal education."
Albert Einstein

"Science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind."
Albert Einstein, "Science,

Answer 6

Interesting that you should claim that. History makes a different claim: science has always won out over theology. Remember that theology dictated that the earth was stationary, but science showed it moves; theology said that disease is caused by supernatural forces, science showed it is from bacteria and viruses (and eating poorly); theology claims that the universe is about 10,000 years old, science has shown it is 13.7 billion. In fact, can you point to ONE time when theology has won out?

Answer 7

The two depend on each other to move forward .

Science is Theology proven .

Theology after the science is proven , causes science to seek further enlightenment .

Fact can only be dis-proven with fact .

Answer 8

False premise. False conclusion.

However!

DUCKPHUP
You might like to read Ken Wilber, (Eye of The Spirit or One Taste), on the difference between pre-rational religion and trans-rational spirituality.

PS
It's a pity you can only give one thumbs up - I'd give AnArdRi two for that!

Answer 9

religion is simpler.
http://stupidevilbastard.com/Images2/sciencevsfaith.png

Science has consistently won out over religion.
Just think about how Churches protect their steeples from lightning.
They use lightning rods instead of praying and ringing their bells.
They tried to declare Ben Franklin's lightening rods as evil and evidence of a lack of faith for a long time though.
This was because the religious belief was that Lightning was the Devil(prince of the powers of the Air) attacking them and that he would attack those of weak faith more because God would allow it if the prayers and tithings were not plentiful enough

Answer 10

I had no idea these were two opposing forces.

It was in my understanding that they are seperate modes of thought and serve humanity to understand the world around them and to understand the world inside. Hence they work together, and no form of knowledge can ever truly be a nuisance.