Why the split between science and religion? Isn't it possible to believe in both?

Question

After all, science is the study of the Earth, which if you're Christian you believe God created. If there is that much about the Earth that conflicts with the Bible, isn't that a sign that something went wrong along the way? Some people tend to take the bible so literally - but the bible says nothing about evolution or any of the other scientific theories that people fight over today.

Answer 1

I believe in both.

Answer 2

Science isn't exactly the study of the Earth. It's the study of EVERYTHING. So, in a matter of speaking, is religion.

The rift is a problem of methodology. Science employs certain universal standards based on an overall objectivist outlook. Good science applies that methodology with the implicit assumption that an objective right answer exists for every definable question. That correct answer exists regardless of human knowledge.

Religions often employs methods of inquiry than run at angles, or even directly counter to the scientific method. Most religions place strong emphasis on faith, revelation, and doctrinal authority as methods of divining truth.

Thus, religion and science often arrive at very different answers to the same questions. This causes the obvious friction between the two schools of thought, especially when the questions are deemed socially or morally important.

Answer 3

Science and the Bible actually compliment each other! When did man finally figure out that the earth is actually round and that it is not sitting on top of a giant turtle? A few hundred years ago? But the Bible describes the earth as a circle or a sphere (Is 40:22) and says it is 'hanging upon nothing' (Job 26:7)
The Bible is not a science text book but it does agree with science

Answer 4

I absolutely believe in both. The Bible is not a science book, nor is it a history book. It is a faith book. It tells the story, often with very imaginative illustrations, of God and God's ultimate creation, humankind, and the relationship between the two.

If you look closely at the first chapter in the Bible, you'll find that evolution is mentioned. God said something along the lines of "Let the waters bring forth living creatures" and "Let the dry land bring forth living creatures." Sounds like evolution to me.

Answer 5

Yes, it's possible to believe in both. It's when science flies in the face of the written Word that we have a problem. If you can't take the Bible literally, how should we take it, as a myth or fairy tale? A good story? Or is it that some parts can be taken literally and not others? Either it is all true or it is all a lie. The Bible doesn't say anything about evolution because it didn't happen the way it is presented today, over billions of years.

Answer 6

Hate to say it but...no. Science tries to find answers without any personal feelings, religion tries the same thing but they let their belief in God rule them. Let us say (for the sake of argument) that evolution is proven wrong scientifically, scientists will then change their ideas and try and find something else to try and explain how life started and is what it is today, now let us say that creationism is proven wrong scientifically, what do you think the Christan's will do? They'll whine and say that it was flawed experiments and just won't get rid of that part of their dogma. Science can change, adapt, and grow (That's why some Christians don't like it apparently, because I saw the argument that, "Science has changed its story a hundred times" well, it's because science doesn't hold on to things too tightly, lets say gravity is proven wrong, they'll change their laws and theories to compensate. Christianity is set in stone, stone may change, but it takes a LONG LONG time for it to do so. So that's the reason why religion and science cannot be together.

Answer 7

Of course it's possible to believe in both. I know a bishop who once said that science can tell us how God created the world, but only religion can tell us why. As you can see, there's no need for conflict between "how" and "why".

A few authors have written books recently about the relationship between faith and science. I'm attaching links to the websites of a few such authors.

Answer 8

Science studies the universes. Not just Earth. And so many religious claims are scientifically improbable to be true. Religion holds back science.

Answer 9

I am a Christian and I believe in both. If you read the Bible, some verses actually support some scientific theories and scientists have made discoveries that are consistent with Theology. We cannot discount either one.

Answer 10

see, this is exactly what STARTED turning me off to the christian religion(yes, i once was a christian)... i had this idea pop into my head, almost like a revelation(no,not like the revelations in the bible)...hey, what if evolution is how we got hear, the big bang even, but god in heaven is the one responsible for these great occurances? i decided to bring this up to a fellow christian friend...."oh, but the bible says that god created everything in seven days,blahblahblah" and we got into a whole huge debate...well, no,not a debate, because this chick just jumped down my throat and talked to me as if i was a blaspheming, sacrilegious monster for even saying it...then her father was brought into the discussion....and it disgusted me even more....this did not immediately turn me agnostic(not atheist)...it took me several years to realize that this was not the way for me.
i do however, respect the opinion of those who believe it is the way for them, so long as they are not judgemental, prejudice, close minded , igorant assholes who treat you like a piece of **** for having different beliefs

Answer 11

I guess you can believe in both if you want to. You'd end up with some contradictory information, but you already get that with religion alone. I don't really see a point in something that has no evidence and that people routinely kill innocent people for.