SCI VS RELIGION

QUOTES:

Albert Einstein:
“Though religion may be that which determines the goal, it has, nevertheless, learned from science, in the
broadest sense, what means will contribute to the attainment of the goals it has set up…I cannot conceive
of a genuine scientist without that profound faith. The situation may be expressed by an image: science
without religion is lame, religion without science is blind.”

Martin Luther King Jr:

“Science investigates; religion interprets. Science gives man knowledge, which is power; religion gives
man wisdom, which is control. Science deals mainly with facts; religion deals mainly with values. The two
are not rivals.”

Pope John Paul II

“Science can purify religion from error and superstition. Religion can purify science from idolatry and false
absolutes.”

What are some clashes/ contrasts?

The Debate of Creation vs Divine Action

Eg. Big Bang Theory vs God’s Intervention: whether the creation of life and / or humanity was based
on scientific fact, or due to divinity

Science - The Big Bang Theory postulates that the universe began small, with hot, tiny particles mixed
with light and energy, and through expansion away from the core, grew and finally cooled down to form
atoms. These atoms would, through time, form stars and galaxies that eventually gave birth to the
universe we know, The universe is and will carry on expanding continuously (even today).

Religion - Many religions believe in divine creation. The Hebrew Bible for example, begins with a genesis
story, where God, a spirit hovering over an empty, watery void, creates the world by speaking into the
darkness and calling into being light, sky, land, vegetation, and living creatures over the course of six
days. Muslims on the other hand, believe that Allah is the creator of the universe, creating the sun, the
moon, the planets and all other celestial bodies in a period of six youm

The Debate of Human Origins

Eg. The Creation Story (eg. Adam and Eve) vs Darwin’s Theory of Evolution: both science and
religion also proffer differing viewpoints of how humanity and life is created.

Science – Darwin’s Theory of Evolution hypothesises that all life on Earth is connected and related to
each other, with diversity in species as a result of descent with modification through the process of natural
selection (where some traits or stronger species will thrive over the others). Many scientists point to how
humans evolve from apes as a case in point of how the theory is more fact than merely a theory.

Religion – Religions have a firm belief in the creation story. For example, in Christianity, the belief is that
God created the first man Adam and then created the first woman, Eve. God put Adam and Eve in the
Garden of Eden to care for and nurture the land. He told Adam and Eve that they could eat from any fruit
from the trees except for the tree of good and evil. God warned them that if they ate from the tree they
would die. The teachings going on explain how the first humans were tempted and fell to Satan's trap of
eating from the tree which led them to be banished from the garden of Eden.

YES SCIENCE
1. Science is objective and reliable as it depends on collaboration and consensus-building
Scientific Knowledge is built upon through consensus. This process of consensus-building makes
up for the subjectivity in science, since through this process, scientists can point out each other's
blind spots, and reduce the subjectivity of theory that is formulated by a single person. Scientific
knowledge is also more reliable due to collaborative inquiry by the scientific community where
many different people would be challenging and questioning the science, thus tempering it in fire
and making it stronger.

- Scientific discoveries or theories are always double-checked and tested by others.

Unethical practices or false reporting of research data, such as the infamous stem cell
research by Korean scientist Hwang Woo Suk (see S&T) was a result of investigations
into his work which uncovered the fraud that he committed.
- Darwin's Theory of Natural Selection and Gregor Mendel's Pea Experiment highlight
different aspects of evolution. Although on the surface, they might seem to be conflicting
theories, the process of consensus building within the world of science managed to
marry both together, resulting in Neo-Darwinism, which provides a more complete
perspective on evolution.

2. Science continues to evolve and enhance itself through time

The theories and beliefs in Science changes continuously and evolves, and most theories that
have been around for a long time without being disproved, prove themselves as viable models for
our world and are often accepted as accurate depictions of our world. However, when opposing
results surface, the old model would be discarded or revised.

- The atomic model has been revised several times from the initial "plum pudding
model" proposed by J.J Thomson in 1904 to the Bohr model, quantum physical
models of the atom until it finally reached the current electron orbital theory that we
study in modern textbooks.
- From Ancient Times, humanity subscribed to Miasma Theory in which diseases and
plagues were spread through “bad air” that was foul smelling or just generally “felt evil”.
It was only given up by scientists and physicians in 1880 and was replaced by The Germ
Theory of Disease. However, cultural beleifs about getting rid of odour made the clean-
up of waste rather than killing germs a high priority for cities

YES RELIGION
1. Religion offers answers to which Science cannot yet answer
Throughout time in the absence of scientific answers to various important questions in life, such
as the meaning of the universe and why we exist, people have turned to religion and the other
areas to find their answers.

- Religions often aim to answer some of the bigger questions in life, such as the reason
for our existence, human suffering, and the universe's mysterious ways. Many religious
 claims are typically founded upon some sort of idiosyncratic evidence (although whether
it is believable depends on the individual).
- Religions also attempt to account for sin and suffering in the world, giving members
hope by offering ways to overcome suffering and death. In Western religion, this typically
hinges on salvation while Eastern religions generally links them to enlightenment.
Monotheistic religions use the term sin to describe the brokenness of human existence.
The belief is that humans, in and of themselves, are not whole. Only by living through
God’s commandments or in accordance with God’s will can humans be complete. Sin is
a human failing, the result of human rebelliousness and arrogance and the source of evil
in the world. Yet, with every sin committed, atonement and salvation is possible should
people atone for bad deeds by cleansing themselves and reconciling with God. Religion
thus provides an alternative to the doomed nature of human ill-intent and
inescapable worldly suffering, offering more comforting answers than the
scientific method can bring to bear.
- Science justifies human evil as a simple biochemical response against behaviours
unfavourable to the self, while rich theological explanations exist from the Book of Job to
the four Yugas of Hinduism.

2. Religion encourages positive moral values

Psychologists believe that religion co-evolved with morality as a way to bind people into large
moral communities. Religion ‘outsources’ social monitoring to a supernatural agent – since one
believes in a monitoring God, even if no one is watching, the person still has to behave
appropriate because God is watching. Through stories and rituals, religions have built on five
basic moral foundations: Do no harm, play fairly, be loyal to your group, respect authority and live
purely. Early religions used rituals — such as restricting certain foods such as pork and wearing
clothing to denote modesty — to publicly demonstrate these moral concerns. Those rituals then
helped unite people and allowed them to live together cooperatively,

- In Buddhism for example, the idea of ‘karma’, or actions driven by intentions that lead to
future consequences, guides Buddhists to act morally.
- Religion encourages people to be more charitable by promoting belief in a supernatural
agent. A 2007 study found in an experiment to decide how much of $10 to keep and how
much to give to a stranger that participants primed with religious thoughts gave an
average of $2.38 more than other participants. In 2008, Gallup found that people from
140 countries who were highly religious were more likely to help others in terms of
donations, volunteering, helping strangers and more despite having averagely lower
incomes than the less or non-religious.
- Scientific studies have revealed that the degree of religiosity is linked to higher ethical
attitudes, such as having a higher level of faith leads to a higher level of altruism. Moral
values like that of altruism and benevolence are imparted by religions.
This includes the Buddhist injunction to “radiate boundless love toward the entire
world” and the Commandment of Jesus stating “love thy neighbour as thyself”
Why shouldn't we focus too much on science?

1. An overly zealous faith and belief in Science has led to little or ultimately negative
outcomes
The basic premise of scientific research is in the formation of hypotheses, and although scientists
seek to prove their hypotheses through experiments, many hypotheses cannot be objectively
proven. This is mainly due to the fact that much of what science deals with is either the very large
or the very small, and thus cannot be directly observed.

- J. J. Thomas merely postulated that electricity is conducted by electrons; till today, no

one has actually been able to observe electrons conducting electricity. Despite this,
schools still teach this theory as the absolute truth, without clarification that it is actually
just a scientific model that scientists have devised. Scientific textbooks preach that
electricity is conducted by electrons without any room for doubt.
- Scientists are not perfect and some of them with weaker moral fibre might choose to
pervert science to suit their own interests. Faced with the desire to publish papers in
prestigious journals to earn fame and glory and pressured by funding organisations to do
so, some scientists have fabricated or modified experimental data to suit their
hypotheses.
Research findings in 2009 revealed that a pooled weighted average of 1.97% of
scientists admitted to have fabricated, falsified or modified data or results at least once –
a serious form of misconduct by any standard– and up to 33.7% admitted other
questionable research practices. In surveys asking about the behaviour of
colleagues, admission rates were 14.12% for falsification, and up to 72% for other
questionable research practices.
- The thalidomide disaster is one such example. Marketed as a mild sleeping pill,
thalidomide was assumed to have no side effects on even pregnant women although
there was no stringent drug testing to study this possibility. After authorities in Canada
and twenty European countries approved the drug, the drug resulted in thousands of
children being born with malformed limbs.

2. Scientific Developments can be seen to be ‘trying to play God’

The most ambitious and daring scientists who challenge the most basic laws of the world are
often viewed as either revolutionary scientific messiahs to usher in a new age of progress, or
blaspheming heretics who disregard the fabric of humanity and notions of creation.

- Such controversial topics might be reanimation, resurrection, abortion, genetic customisation, or

even an attempt to harness nature, and/or space and time to alter the world and/or reality itself.
In other words, gaining literal godhood; having the power to play dice with the world.
- In the past, due to religion, it was seen as against God’s will to even shave your hair or be treated
for the plague. Then it was tattoos, plastic surgery, Genetically Modified Foods, Cloning. How
long will it be before we are okay with turning water to wine? How long before a Modern
Prometheus gives us the power to kill Death itself? Should any mortal have access to such
power?
Why shouldn't we focus too much on religion?
1. An overzealous belief in religion has often led to abuses and conflicts
Philosopher David Hume stated that, "The greatest crimes have been found, in many
instances, to be compatible with a superstitious piety and devotion.” Indeed, much of the
worlds’ evil can be attributed to religion.

- Through the Middle Ages, the crusades, helmed by religious factors and the papacy
granting a ‘remission of sins’ drove thousands of Christians across Europe to the East.
While it is debated how many crusades there are, it is generally accepted that there were
8 crusades from 1095 to 1291, with a death toll ranging from 1 to 9 million, according to
various historians.
In our contemporary world, Islamic extremism and radical Islam has led to the rise of
groups like Al-Qaeda, Boko Haram, Hamas, Hezbollah, ISIS, Jemaah Islamiyah, and
more terrorist groups which have directly or indirectly caused the deaths and
displacement of hundreds of thousands of people.
- While religion brings some people together, it continues to cause deep divisions.
According to anthropologist Dr Scott Atran, “the problem is, the more you look inward
toward your religious group and its claims of virtue, the less you look outward and the
more distrustful you are of others.” That distrust causes much of the world's strife and
violence.

2. Religion can obstruct the work of scientists

Major leaps in science often require a new understanding of ourselves and our world: scientific
advances can threaten age-old religious truths and alter basic notions of what it means to be
human. Religious leaders and communities sometimes view science as going beyond its proper
reach to invade realms that belong to God, and are very often alert to the need for rigorous moral
thinking and coherent ethical guidelines to accompany technological advances. Many religions
have thus been against the work of scientists, as they see the scientists’ progress as immoral or
threatening their worldviews; this has restricted scientific inquiry, limiting the knowledge that
scientists can gain.

- Embryonic stem cells have been an area of particular interest to faith communities. On
one hand, it holds the promise to revolutionize medicine, offering cures to a host of
diseases like Alzheimer’s disease and cystic fibrosis. However, the research process
creates controversy as the derivation of the stem cells involves the destruction of an
embryo, which harms a sacred life form. The Catholic Church officially opposes
embryonic stem cell research, frequently citing Pope John Paul II’s plea for a
“culture of life,” grouping the science with abortion, euthanasia and “other attacks on
innocent life.” The Assemblies of God oppose embryonic stem cell research, saying,
“Potential medical benefits do not justify destroying human life at any stage of
development.”

3. Religion is easily manipulated by different stakeholders today

 Religious belief and practice contribute substantially to the formation of personal moral criteria
and sound moral judgment. Different stakeholders have their own personal motivations and can
shape the evolution of religion, hence affecting the development of the human psyche and
society. Particularly given how religion is mostly spread by word- of-mouth, it is easily modified to
suit the needs of the different stakeholders.

- Many Muslim-majority countries have moved towards a foreign policy centred on Islam,
as Islam is an effective ideological alternative to nationalism, socialism, and liberalism.
When Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohamad Bin Salman MBS spoke of moderate
Islam, audiences in the West heard a narrative about reform and movement away from
ultra conservative religion; in reality, many believe that it was actually a way to “suppress
interpretations of religion that might actually pose a threat to his consolidation of political
control in Saudi Arabia.” This allows power-hungry leaders to utilise religion as a tool to
maintain their power and influence.
- Different versions of the bible eg King James Bible, Latin Vulgate Bible - translated by
6 committees

FALSE DICHOTOMY
1. Science and Religion can complement and co-exist for a better understanding of the world
(theory)
According to Dr. Francisco Ayala, the fact is that regardless of how successful science becomes,
‘a (purely) scientific view of the world is hopelessly incomplete’. This reflects to us the need to
consider matters outside the realm of science, including religion.

Generally, scholars agree on three main models of interactions between science and religion. In
each model there is an element which highlights that science and religion can co-exist and
complement each other.

Ian Barbour’s model of the relationships between science and religion relates to the concepts of
conflict, independence, dialogue, and integration.

On the other hand, Mikael Stenmark believes in three relationships between science and religion,
which is the independence view, the contact view, and a union of the domains of science and
religion. The independence view refers to the idea that science and religion do not overlap and
remain as distinct systems. The contact view refers to the notion that science and religion share
some connections.
 Alternatively, another model to consider would be John F. Haught’s model on the relationships
between science and religion. This includes four relationships: Conflict, Contrast, Contact,
Confirmation.

In all three models of interaction, the key therefore, is the common belief shared by eminent
scholars that religion and science overlap, co-exist and complement each other.

2. Science and religion serve to address different aspects

A mere logical contradiction cannot in itself point to more than the necessity of some
readjustments, possibly of a very minor character, on both sides of science and religion. Science
and religion can be complementary as they serve different purposes in people’s lives. In the
pursuit of knowledge, science serves to better how we do things; religion serves as a moral
compass and a source of reassurance.

- Where medication aids the body, God rests the heart and mind. For patients in palliative
care, opioids like morphine are prescribed to alleviate the pain of the patients but credit
also needs to be given to religious support in providing strength to patients undergoing
scientific medical treatments. At Singapore’s Mount Alvernia Hospital, there is
clinical pastoral care available to support patients throughout the period of
hospitalization in an environment of trust and confidentiality. The pastoral care team
provides support to those who want someone to pray with or those who want a friendly,
non-judging, listening ear.

3. Complementary use of science, when the products of science become vessels of religious
outreach

With the development of various new communication technologies, religion has been able to
widen its reach to a wider group of people. Especially with the advent of the internet in 1980s,
there has been a proliferation of many social media platforms and religious sites that help to
expose people to the ideologies of certain religions.

- The reach of the internet makes it a good platform for religions to promote themselves in
the form of outreach campaigns.

Hillsong Worship is an Australian praise and worship group from Sydney, Australia,
where they started making music in 1983 at Hillsong Church. Notably, their songs have
achieved great success on the streaming platform Spotify, with “What a Beautiful Name”
reaching 135 million streams and “Who You Say I Am” reaching 108 million streams. In
particular, “What a Beautiful Name” tells the listener how the name of Jesus
encompasses more than they can hope or imagine—more beauty, more wonder, more
power. It also shows Jesus’ relationship with God and Jesus’ role.
There are many versions of the Bible available on the internet, in e-book form or
audiobook form. People now have easy access to versions of the Bible, including both
the Old Testament and New Testament, and these can be read or listened to anywhere.
The audiobook version is also useful for auditory learners.

- With the internet being home to a billion websites and an increasing amount of data, it is
very easy for people to find out their own religion and other religions
The r/Buddhism subreddit provides a platform for Buddhists and non-Buddhists alike
to discuss Buddhism and aspects of Buddhist life respectfully. Engaging in constructive
discussions can help people see others’ viewpoints, while educating themselves on the
 subject of Buddhism. From there, people are able to find like- minded individuals with
similar beliefs, helping them to understand Buddhist practices while being a support
group at the same time

WHOLESOME ENDING
- It remains difficult to come to a suitable compromise between science and religion, but it
is not impossible. During the Ebola crisis in West Africa, churches, mosques, and other
places of worship across the subregion followed the advice of scientists and suspended
religious practices that may have aided the spread of the disease. Going further, some
religious institutions in Nigeria have in recent years donated medical equipment to
hospitals across the country and have also encouraged the teaching of science by
setting up universities with science faculties.
- As long as both scientists and theologists are open to each other’s ideas and are
willing to reach a compromise, it definitely is possible for science and religion to
coexist without conflict. :)