Why can't science and religion get along?

Question

I don't understand why people can't be both religious and scientific. I consider myself both, but most people on these forums seem to believe they are mutually exclusive. I think of science as explaining how God created everything. Afterall, if He were omniscient, wouldn't He set everything up to fall into place where He wanted it from the beginning, a la science. Couldn't the differences between the two be explained as either incomplete scientific study or inaccurate religious interpretation? Science looks at the universe from bottom to top, and religion from top to bottom. I haven't seen anything from one that would lead me to think they other is completely wrong. Besides, wouldn't a "correct" scientific view and a "correct" religious view eventually match up?

Answer 1

VERY SIMPLE...

Science is based on truth and FACT. Religion, Jesus and God are absolutely NOT based on fact. The two could NOT be more farther apart than they are!!

Answer 2

On a fairly fundamental level, religion claims certain explanations as truth, while science has uncovered explanations that show religious claims to be entirely inaccurate. This doesn't answer your question.

When those conflicting truths are more than a mere story and effect the way rights are granted and nations are governed, disagreement is bound to get heated, no matter what peaceful pleas people make.

The Bible says sodomy is wrong, therefore gays can't marry. The Bible says God created the Earth, therefore biological science shouldn't be taught without a God component. The Bible says God granted man dominion over the Earth, therefore we don't have much of a reason to conserve and preserve. The Bible says rapture is coming, therefore there's little point in helping others, since most are going to Hell anyway.

These things are just fundamentally opposed to what most methodical thinkers have come to accept as reality, so I see no real way to compromise the entire universes of science and religion such that we'll get along.

Answer 3

I see your view about science explaining how God made things work. But the problem is that religion makes some very specific claims about things that scientific evidence contradicts. Like for example, Christianity claims that the earth is only 6,000 years old whereas physical evidence found by science suggests that the earth is billions of years old. Also, Christianity claims that man was created out of dirt in the full human form that we have today, whereas scientific evidence suggests that man evolved from ape-like creatures. Christianity claims that humans are superior to animals and of a totally different nature (made in the image of God) where as scientific evidence strongly suggests that humans are just one kind of animal no "better" than any other. Sure humans are smarter, but lots of animals have certain things that they are the best at.

Also, there's the issue of science basing its theories on hard evidence that can be seen, touched, tested, studied, and proven. Whereas religion's claims about the universe are based on nothing but stories in which people allege that God spoke to them.

So not only do science and religion come to contradictory conclusions about many things, but they also differ in what they think is the best way to arrive at those conclusions.

Answer 4

Any religious view that contradicts the reality of the universe must be wrong. QED.

However, that does not stop lots of Christians, Jews, Muslims and Hindus from believing their ancient texts over reality.

Generally science does not care. If they want to delude themselves, let them. But every so often some theists try to force their religion into science. Then the scientists have to turn round and *****-slap them back to where they came from.

Answer 5

True science and true religion get along just fine. Which is why the Catholic Church has no difficulty accepting the plain evidence of science. Religious beliefs that conflict with clearly demonstrated facts of science are false beliefs. Which should be no great surprise since such beliefs invariably come from denominational religion, where the beliefs of each denomination conflict with those of the others, which means that many if not most of such beliefs are objectively false. Truth cannot conflict with truth.

Answer 6

You are confusing right-wing fundamentalists with general religious practice. The Roman Catholic Church's position for example, is that evolution did happen and that the universe is billions of years old, and not 6,000. They have their own scientific divisions, and an official astronomer who often speaks on the reasons that Roman Catholic faith is not incompatible with modern scientific principles and understanding.

Answer 7

Actually there are a lot of people that are scientist and believe very much in God. And there were a group of scientist about 8-9 years ago or so that set out to try to prove God couldn't had done it all and instead all of them gave their lives to Christ and still practice the science they were trained to do. It's not as uncommon as some may think.

Answer 8

They can!

http://reluctant-messenger.com/
Reluctant Messenger of Science and Religion: Taoism Judaism Christianity Islam Buddhism Buddha Hinduism Sikhism Kabbalah Sufi Sufism Mysticism Sabbath reincarnation resurrection

Answer 9

I totally agree with you. I believe that science and religion are so deeply intertwined that it is amazing how separate people in this day think they are. I've also got to reply to the second comment above mine. My religion does NOT tell me to not ask questions. A very important aspect of my religion is to ask questions. :)

Answer 10

“When Kepler found his long-cherished belief did not agree with the most precise observation, he accepted the uncomfortable fact. He preferred the hard truth to his dearest illusions; that is the heart of science.”

Answer 11

I see Science completely supporting the Bible. Go to www.drdino.com or www.creationevidence.org for evidence.