Beyond Belief - Session 1

The theory of evolution states that man evolved from apes. Yet God created all living creatures, man being of a different species. The controversy between science and religion is an ancient old clash of cultures. In this three day conference sponsored by the Science Network, a team of exceptional scholars attempt to make sense of this debate and bring forth a better understanding of both views. So which is correct, which belief is what all of mankind should take as fact.

According to Steven Weinberg there are four main conflicts that arise from the debate between science and religion. Evolution suggests that humans are merely animals while religion feels we are of a divine episode. Science downgrades humans from their essential role as children of God. Thirdly, the laws of nature put God’s hands in chains. The last conflict deals with the method of approach to the truth. Religious people turn to an authority (i.e. a priest, bishop, the Pope) for answers, while scientists do not have an authority. There are scientific heroes that they can go to for solutions but not direct answers. Weinberg’s solution is to somehow negotiate as allies because neither religion nor science can justify one another. It is a moral choice of belief when it comes to this great issue. Lawrence Krauss’s theory on the conflict of religion and science is that both demean one another. The main reasoning for this debate is that religion fears science due to the fact that God is not mentioned in any scientific theory, therefore making it immoral which is religiously wrong. Krauss goes on to stat that without scientific reasoning, everything that occurs around us must be a miraculous act. His solution is through knowledge; we must educate people about the majesties of nature by selling science and adorn their faith by pointing out the non-sense.

The lecture that I most enjoyed was that of Sam Harrison. Harrison makes some very compelling statements in regards to his theory on the conflict between science and religion. He believes that the true conflict is that religion has been protected fro scientific ridicule for so long; this has caused a perfectly sane society to except religious stupidity. Religion makes such great claims of miracles on bad evidence to support them so people must have faith – a permit that allows a strong belief when all reasoning has failed. Science brings intellectual honesty to the table. It is this ignorance that Harrison feels can be very dangerous to the world. More and more religious sects are disguising their religious behavior as motivated by economics or politics. Harrison’s example of the terror of 911 really opened my mind to the obvious violence that occurs daily in the name of religion. The insanity or dogmatism that many religious people follow is really quit disturbing.

I end with a quote from Sam Harrison, “Science can not prove there is no God, but love for one another should not be motivated by delusions.” So what is the solution, how do we resolve one of the greatest clashes of cultures of all time? As these great scholars suggested, we accept the fact that both science and religion are both two very different beliefs of the same topic. Through education they must become knowledgeable allies with one another.