Reconciling Science and Religion

[Dover]

Excerpt:

...There's a long established British tradition that in general conversation religion isn't discussed. The great Whig essayist, Joseph Addison, writing in the early 18th Century said: "We have in England a particular bashfulness in every thing that regards religion." That was in an age when belief in God was well-nigh universal. If it wasn't thought to be tactful then, it must be far worse now, in a secular age when Christian belief has declined and other religions are widely practiced.

But it's for that very reason that I think we ought to talk to each other more about the central mystery of life. Widespread agnosticism and the place in society of Islam, Judaism, Hinduism, Sikhism, and Buddhism ought to mean that the climate of opinion is tolerant. Nor do we need to be expert to discuss science and religion, providing we have the humility to learn.

Like many others, I eventually accepted the scientific explanation of the origin and destiny of mankind. But, also like many others, I have no hostility to religion and, in particular, no contempt for Christian faith; quite the contrary. Indeed, at Easter, I confess plainly that I miss the consolations of Christianity.

I had a Pakistani friend, who died after a long illness. As he weakened physically, the subject he most wanted to discuss was the reconciliation of Islam and science. After a time, worried that he might be distressed, I said, very foolishly, that perhaps he could be at peace because Islam involved faith and he was a believer, whereas science operated in a different dimension collecting data, experimenting and seeking to confirm knowledge.

This distinction made him angry. "Have you the slightest idea how close we are to the end of humanity?" he asked. "I'm a scientist and I'm afraid. Only from the morality inside us can we learn restraint and that morality must come from religion."

Unpleasant surprise

I admit I thought he was exaggerating, but I listened and went away and consulted one of the works he'd suggested. I was unpleasantly surprised to discover exactly what my friend was talking about. It wasn't possible nuclear accident, or climate change, but the hypothetical threat posed by technological advances in genetics, robotics and nanotechnology...cont'd

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/4387563.stm

___________

Seven Scientists Who Believe in God

"All human discoveries seem to be made only for the purpose of confirming more and more strongly the truths come from on high and contained in the sacred writings." John Herschel (1791-1871) discoverer of over 500 new nebulas.

Cont'd

http://www.biblequery.org/Science/Scientists.htm

[Kerrytravelers]

1. I have never had a problem believeing in science and God.

The Bible is a collection of verbal stories that we written down years after being passed on. It's metaphorical and not literal. Science is literal and factual.

I have never understood why religious fundie people are so afraid of science. Might it mean they would be forced to think?

[Tux]

3. Same here

I believe in god, get wisdom from different religious traditions (mostly Buddhism), and consider the Universe to be the Bible we are all supposed to study.

[Maple]

2. Morality

does not come from religion.

That arrogant belief is what's causing all the trouble.

[Kerrytravelers]

4. I think morality comes from many places.

Religion is suppose to encourage love, peace and understanding (not just Christianity, but all religions)

Science teaches us respect for nature, science and the earth.

I don't think there is just one place to discover morality. I also don't exclude any sources, either. I think they are all relevant.

Unfortunately, what you have right now is the arrogant belef that only one religion and one interpertation of that faith is the moral right and everything and everyone else is wrong.

[Igel]

5. Morality is codified in religions.

It may be codified elsewhere.

[pmbryant]

6. Mutual tolerance appears to be what that article is about

Though it was a bit unfocused and hard to follow its point.

--Peter

[Stunster]

7. I have zero problem

reconciling science and religion.

I'm Roman Catholic.

I have never understood what the problem is supposed to be.

[Detlef]

8. creationism, any?

I'm sorry to interrupt, but I'm looking for a threat concerning creationism. None found. Does one exist?

I'm a student from Germany and I'm looking for some arguments that SUPPORT creationism. As creationism is completely unknown in Europe (except the rumors you get from the newspapers), it's difficult to discuss pros and cons here.