Is science a relgion?

Question

People profess a belief or faith in science. Doesn't that make science a religion?

Answer 1

Science is NOT a religion, even if some people treat it that way. To quote Abraham Lincoln’s example:

“How many legs does a dog have if you call the tail a leg? Four. Calling a tail a leg doesn't make it a leg.”

Calling science a religion doesn’t make it a religion.

Science pursues questions that may never be answered. Religion is answers that may never be questioned. Definitely two different things here.

Science answers our questions with claims supported by the best evidence and facts available. Religion’s answer our questions with: dogma, ritual, tradition and platitudes that haven’t changed for thousands of years.

Religions of conflicting views fight each other without ever changing a thing. Conflicting views in science battle it out in an open arena until the winner is declared by unanimous decision.

A single idea that successfully challenges religion can get you excommunicated, burned at the stake or killed by some fanatic authorized by the fatwa of an intolerant Islamic mufti.

A single idea that challenges science can get you a Nobel Prize, the recognition of your peers, the adoration of the world and immortal fame.

Having said all this: if I had to put my faith in science or religion, it would be science I choose. How has religion advanced mankind? What has religion done for us? Science and its offspring, Technology and Engineering, has taken us to the moon, navigated spacecraft to Mars and sailed others right out of the solar system. Religion, on the other hand, has been THE most divisive influence in human history.

Just turn on your TV and watch the news. Science is not a religion. Thank God.

Answer 2

No. First of all, I don't think it's accurate to say people have "belief in science". Furthermore, I can say I have "faith in my family" but that doesn't make them a congregation. I suppose I have "faith" that the sun will rise tomorrow, but that's based on empirical evidence, nothing spiritual.

Religion and science are both man-made tools for getting answers. But the similarity ends there. Religion is designed to answer questions dealing with SUBJECTIVE experiences and spirituality. Science is designed to answer questions of an OBJECTIVE nature (where people can observe the same data and reach the same conclusions), and the physical world.

This flow chart sums it up nicely:
http://www.wellingtongrey.net/miscellanea/archive/2007-01-15%20--%20science%20vs%20faith.html

Answer 3

I can see why you would ask that question...I don't believe that science should ever be considered a religion though. Many have spoken of evolution as only a theory...but it has facts behind it. Science is truth...religion is faith, two very different things

Answer 4

Religion is a way of explaining things science cannot answer.

Answer 5

Religion is based on faith and provides knowledge of the supernatural. Science is based on evidence, and provides knowledge of the natural world.

Answer 6

Well considering science looks for answers rather then only opening an 1800 school science book for all the answers we need...no it is not.

Science looks for answers and accepts change in view when new answers tweak old knowledge. Religion however resists any new thought.

Answer 7

Science is a religion to those with no brains in their head. So, tell us, do you think that science is a religion? Are you brainless?

Answer 8

Science could merge with a religion. Quantum physics,it would seem, is discovering the "fabric of Gods creation", but they won't find "Him".

Answer 9

Science is based upon facts and testable theories.Unlike faith, science changes and revises as new facts are discovered.It's never stagnant.

Answer 10

No, it means that they aren't being specific. Science is not a belief; it requires no faith. It is reproduceable and testable.