In its most ideal form, science is mainly about discovering the truth about man, life and the universe through objectively observing phenomenon from the world. Science and religion have different perspectives, drawing similar conclusions but starting from different points. For example, Einstein's Theory of Relativity proves that everything is impermanent and uncertain. This hypothesis in science is diametrically opposed to the belief that God is almightly, omniscient, omnipotent and omnipresent. The Hindus also believe in Shiva's timeless dance where all is anicca, which means that everything does not stay the same forever.
In fact, there is no contradiction in religion and science. It is a religious duty to honour God's gift of reason, and science is about reasoning. Do you know that today's scientific terms such as alkali and algorithm were created by Islamic scientists? Early scientific research and education were mostly done by religious people. Scientists like Mendel, Robert Boyle and Galileo Galilei are examples of such people. Mendel was famous for the study of genetics and he was actually a priest. Robert Boyle, a talented scientist, was a clergyman. Furthermore, Galileo Galilei, one of the most well-known scientists of all time, was persecuted by the church for his research. There are also modern examples of scientists that are religious, such as Francis Collins, who was the Head of the National Human Genome Research Institute.
In fact, there is no contradiction in religion and science. It is a religious duty to honour God's gift of reason, and science is about reasoning. Do you know that today's scientific terms such as alkali and algorithm were created by Islamic scientists? Early scientific research and education were mostly done by religious people. Scientists like Mendel, Robert Boyle and Galileo Galilei are examples of such people. Mendel was famous for the study of genetics and he was actually a priest. Robert Boyle, a talented scientist, was a clergyman. Furthermore, Galileo Galilei, one of the most well-known scientists of all time, was persecuted by the church for his research. There are also modern examples of scientists that are religious, such as Francis Collins, who was the Head of the National Human Genome Research Institute.
Science and religion are being artificially divided, due to significant political and cultural changes. In the Middle Ages, the increasingly political Catholic Church and the ultraorthodox Sunni Muslim rulers persecuted anyone of their religion found to be doing scientific research. This caused an increase in anti-religious feelings, leading to more extremists and unorthodox practitioners. Many scientists even gave up their religion. Today, most fundamentalist Baptist churches in America's Bible Belt are most stridently against birth control, genetic engineering and stem-cell research. They only rely on the power of God to help them.
Religion and science have conflicting methods of acquiring knowledge. Science is solely dependent on logic and reason to discover the truth. All of the hypotheses need to be proven. In religion, faith is necessary. Buddhists believe that the world is an illusion, and that there is deception everywhere. Science is interested in physical, tangible and material solutions. However, religion is far more interested in eternity, things which are spiritual, intangible and immaterial.
In the first place, science and religion are not meant to conflict. They are divorced because of human pettiness and misunderstanding. In my opinion, both disciplines have to work together for humanity's sake. What do you think? Can science and religion co-exist?
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