To begin, I will say that this portion of our web guide is not about science, and it is not about religion; it is about science and religion.
Topics exploring the compatibilities, incompatibilities, and relationships between science and religion are the focus of this category.
Most people are detached from the conflicts between science and religion. If they have any interest at all, they imagine the two occupy separate, non-intersecting domains. They generally believe that science explains how the physical world works, while religion deals with worldviews and issues related to moral standards.
This is a simplified view as it ignores the contradictions between science and religion.
The public's opinions of conflicts between science and religion are mixed, but most do not believe these disputes rise to the level of incompatibilities. This is especially true as it pertains to their own faith-based beliefs. Thus, it wouldn't be unusual to find someone teaching macroevolution from Monday to Friday, yet teaching Sunday School on the weekend.
In large parts of the world, we are raised to believe that science and religion coexist harmoniously. Pointing out the contradictions is distasteful, and those who do risk being labeled negatively.
While science is taught in the schools, religion is not. Even in religious schools, the contradictions between the two are rarely mentioned. Thus, most people don't understand either science or religion well enough to appreciate the contradictions. Also, it doesn't help that the subject has become politicized and dominated by misinformation.
Science is generally cold and impersonal, but religion is comforting and personal. At the same time, people tend to view science as practical and are reticent to be labeled a science denier. However, science can't reach people emotionally, while religion can. Religion provides a sense of purpose and the hope of a life after death. Science is detached and doesn't care about anyone as a person, while religion does.
Although we're not inclined to explore the contradictions between science and religion, they are not insignificant. There are questions for which either the world's largest religions are wrong, or science is wrong.
Are births and deaths influenced by God? Can God heal illnesses? Does God control the weather? Does God influence the destinies of individuals? Does God influence any events on the Earth? Did God create the universe? Were all of the species on Earth created by God, or did they evolve? If they evolved, did God direct evolution? Does prayer work? What happens to us after we die?
These are questions for which science and the major religions are at odds. Can a rational religious person believe in the supernatural and science?
Science refers to the pursuit and application of knowledge and understanding of the natural and social world through a systematic methodology based on verifiable evidence. Religion has reference to the service and worship of a deity or the supernatural, as well as to a personal or institutionalized system of religious attitudes, beliefs, and practices.
The relationship between science and religion has been discussed since antiquity. Theologians, philosophers, scientists, and politicians have long addressed the subject, some characterizing science and religion as incompatible or conflicting, with others insisting that there is a harmonious relationship. In contrast, some have insisted on a complete separation or little interaction between the two.
There are some positions we could take to avoid the contradictions. We could reject science's explanation and put our faith in the supernatural or decide to have no religious or spiritual beliefs whatsoever. We could adopt a form of deism in which God is relegated to a reverence for the natural order of things, or believe in an abstract god who exists solely in our minds. We might continue in whatever religion we ascribe to while presuming that it is wrong about anything contradicted by science, or we could consider that both science and religion might be wrong. Similarly, we could remain undecided on whether science or religion correctly interprets worldly events while understanding that they couldn't both be right simultaneously.
Either of these worldviews could represent a worldview that isn't contradictory. However, simultaneously believing in a supernatural intervening God and science's interpretation of things is a misinformed worldview, as it ignores irreconcilable contradictions and is not rational.
The interdisciplinary field of theology and science, also known as science and religion, studies historical and contemporary interactions between these fields and seeks to provide an analysis of their relationships. This category presents a collection of websites discussing the relationships, difficulties, and contradictions between science and religion.
Feature Article
The God of Science or the God of Religion
Nearly every scientific
society in the United
States has issued statements rejecting intelligent
design and, so we are told, nearly every scientist in America, and
throughout the world, believes that God
had nothing to do with the origin
of species, specifically the human species.
U.S.
courts have repeatedly ruled in favor of teaching evolution
in public school classrooms, and against teaching creationism, even as an
alternative theory.
Yet, a 2012 Gallup poll holds that 46% of Americans believe that mankind
was created by God. Additionally, about one-third of Americans believe
that humans evolved, but with God's guidance, while only 15% hold that
humans evolved with no help from a deity. These results have remained
largely unchanged since Gallup first asked these questions thirty years
ago.
Approximately eighty-five percent of Americans believe that God was
involved, in some manner, either in the direct creation or in the
evolution of man. Only fifteen percent believe that God had no part in it.
In fact, between 2010 and 2012, the number of respondents who believed in
direct creation went up by six percent, while those who believed that God
made use of evolution went down by the same number, and one percent fewer
people believed that God had no part in the process.
"All in all, there is no evidence ... of a substantial movement toward a
secular viewpoint on human origins," states the Gallup report
Why is this? Are Americans ignorant or is there some other reason why they
don't trust their scientists?
Apart from the fact that scientists have been caught lying to us about global
warming, I believe the answers are simpler than that.
The vast majority of Americans reject atheism,
and thus, naturalism as well. A solid majority of Americans are Christians,
and many more believe in God. It should be no surprise then, that when a
choir of experts insist that evolution is incompatible with a belief in
God, people are forced to choose one or the other.
If science is the enemy of God, then only those who do not believe in God
would choose science over God.
It should also be unsurprising that many Americans are reluctant to have
evolution taught as fact to their children in the public schools, which
their taxes support. Protestants
don't want Catholic
doctrine taught to their children, yet the distance between Protestantism
and Catholicism is far less than the distance between Christianity and
naturalism. For that matter, Christianity has far more in common with Judaism
and Islam
than it does with naturalism, as naturalism stands in direct opposition to
theistic religion.
Thanks largely to declarations made by the experts, whose gains have
largely come through the court systems rather than by persuasion of the public,
evolution is seen as being central to naturalism, and naturalism is viewed
much like a competing religion.
Claims by members of the scientific community that religion and evolution
are incompatible does harm to science
because it forces people to choose between science and a belief in God,
and most believers are not going to choose science over God.
The tactics of members of the scientific community of going to court in
order to prevent the teaching of creationism or intelligent design, has
led to suspicion and mistrust of the scientific experts.
The perception that the scientific community has allied itself with a
specific political
faction, on this issue as it has with global warming, has served
only to exacerbate feelings of misgiving.
If there is anyone who Americans distrust more than their scientists, it
is their politicians.
Recommended Resources
Coverage of the faith versus reason debate includes an overview of Christian spirituality, as well as the spiritualities held by non-Christian world religions, as well as the theories of evolution taught by Charles Darwin and Alfred Russel Wallace, concluding that the claims of spirituality can be respected as valid without dismissing the contributions of science. World religions statistics and links to additional resources related to the subject are included. A search feature is included.
https://www.age-of-the-sage.org/
American Scientific Affiliation, The
The ASA is a Christian organization comprising scientists and others in science-related disciplines. Its goal is to investigate any area relating Christian faith and science. Its members are from various Christian movements and traditions. The organization runs seminars at various universities and publishes "Perspectives on Science and Christian Faith," a journal covering topics relating to Christian faith and science from a Christian perspective. Membership information is presented.
https://network.asa3.org/
Established in 2007 by Dr. Francis Collins, once the director of the Human Genome Project, and author of a book recounting his movement from atheism to Christian belief, the organization is now under new leadership, but it continues to engage in dialogue with Christian organizations and individuals who are skeptical of evolution. The beliefs that are advanced by the organization, as well as its core commitments, are defined. A general discussion forum and a homeschool forum are available.
https://biologos.org/
Center for Theology and the Natural Sciences
The goal of the CTNS is to advocate for the creative mutual interaction between theology and the natural sciences, which it works to carry out through research, education, and public service, with a scientific focus on physics, cosmology, evolutionary biology, and genetics, with additional topics in the neurosciences, technology, environmental science, and mathematics, while its theological focus is on Christian theology, ethics, and spirituality. The Center publishes "Theology and Science."
https://www.ctns.org/
The CSL is a philosophy promoting religious science as founded by Ernest Holmes in 1926 when he published his book, "The Science of Mind." It was officially organized in 2011 with the merger of the United Centers for Spiritual Living (United Church of Religious Science) and the International Centers for Spiritual Living (Religious Science International). The organization publishes "Science of Mind," a monthly magazine, and other publications, available here.
https://csl.org/
CIS is a network of scientists, teachers, and students who are concerned about the relationship between science and Christian faith, and about the harm that may be imposed by the common misperception that there is always a conflict between science and faith. Its membership policies, levels, and subscriptions rates are set forth, and a calendar of conferences and other events is included. Its publications, brochures and newsletters are highlighted, and many of its resources are available free.
https://www.cis.org.uk/
The Church of Reality is a religion based on the practice of Realism, which views its objectives as a commitment to the pursuit of objective reality, which serves as its God, and science, which is its Bible. Scientific evidence is its Scripture, evolution is its creation story, ecology is its theology, and integrity is its salvation. While embracing science as its reality, the church addresses the questions addressed by other religions, such as right and wrong, and the meaning of life.
http://www.churchofreality.org/
This study seeks to offer logical, practical, and pragmatic proof of God's existence from a purely scientific perspective. Featured topics speak of a practical man's proof of God, an understanding of what God is, questions of the origins of God, the cause of the beginning, and why the author left atheism. Other resources include charts, children's materials, pamphlets, booklets, videos, online correspondence courses, catalogs, and journals. Other materials may be requested.
https://www.doesgodexist.org/
Focusing on Christian apologetics, the site seeks to argue for the existence of God using scientific methods. Topics include answers for atheists, design versus evolution, Biblical creation, Bible authenticity, Christian theology, aberrant theology, Christian tribulation, and Christian life issues, as well as a discussion forum, book and movie reviews, and links to sites covering supporting topics. The forum is powered by phpBB, and discussion guidelines and advertising policies are included.
https://www.godandscience.org/
Institute on Religion in an Age of Science, The
The IRAS is a non-denominational society that promotes and facilitates the ongoing debate between religion and science. The Institute has held annual week-long conferences at Star Island in New Hampshire since 1954. The organization encourages efforts to form practical doctrines and practices for human welfare, formulating positive relationships between science and humanity, as expressed through religion. Membership categories, conference schedules, and contacts are posted.
https://www.iras.org/
Intelligent design is a scientific-religions compromise viewpoint that seeks to marry common theories of evolution with the Christian evolution story. The Intelligent Design Network is a non-profit organization that strives to achieve institutional objectivity in the teachings of origins science, and for what its proponents view as objectivity in the institutions of science, government, and the media. Its publications, science standards, teaching tools, and press releases are featured.
http://intelligentdesignnetwork.org/
Interdisciplinary Encyclopedia of Religion & Science
Edited by the Advanced School for Interdisciplinary Research, operating at the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross in Rome, INTERS strives to help scientists frame their work within a philosophical and humanistic context, and to aid those training in theology to approach the rationale of scientific activity through the humanistic reflections of scientists. Included is an interdisciplinary encyclopedia, anthology, and supporting documents. Links to other resources are included.
https://inters.org/
International Association for the Cognitive Science of Religion
The objective of the IACSR is to promote the cognitive science of religion through international collaboration of any scholars whose research relates to the subject, arranged through biennial conferences as well as interim local meetings, the encouragement of research projects, scholarly publications, and the exchange of information online. An overview of the organization is presented, along with a calendar of scheduled meeting and activities, news, and external links.
https://iacesr.com/
International Society for Science & Religion
Established in 2002, the ISSR was formed to promote education in the fields of science and religion through the support of interdisciplinary learning and research, generally conducted in an international and multi-faith context. A list of members is presented, along with books authored by its members, society news, project reports, and other topics, such as intelligent design, hybrids, and chimeras. An informational blog is included, along with contacts and an online inquiry form.
https://www.issr.org.uk/
The book by David Allan offers insights into the questions about science and religion, defending the Christian faith through scientific investigation and arguing for the harmony of science and religion. A biography of the author, including his qualifications and credentials, is presented, along with his book's foreword and table of contents, free articles from the book in PDF format, an informational blog, and an online shopping area where the book may be purchased.
http://itsabouttimebook.com/
Established in 1987, the Templeton Foundation is a philanthropic organization that funds interdisciplinary research into human purpose and ultimate reality, its core funding areas being science, character development, freedom and free enterprise, exceptional cognitive talent and genius, and genetics. Its funding areas, grant programs and calendars, partners, and affiliated programs are posted, along with a calendar of events. Its address, numbers, and email address are included.
https://www.templeton.org/
Metanexus is a global interdisciplinary institute organized to promote a trans-disciplinary approach to questions of nature, culture, and the human being and comprised of a network of scholars, researchers, teachers, students, and others interested in conducting research, hosting conferences and lectures, and publishing an electronic magazine, entitled "Global Spiral," which is available here, as well as an online shopping area featuring topical books and videos.
https://metanexus.net/
Developed by Faraday Schools. A project of Learning About Science and Religion (LASAR), a cooperative project between the Institute of Education, Reading University, and the Faraday Institute for Science and Religion, the program conducts research into what secondary students think about science and religion, the factors that influence their decisions, and how their beliefs may change over time. Curriculum materials and approaches for teachers are presented, helping them to engage students.
http://www.neverofftopic.com/
Using fiction as a platform, Drs. Stephen W. Boston and Evelyn McKnight attempt to reconcile the world's faiths and science in order to answer the big questions about life and purpose. The authors' disclaimer states that the story is biographical in the sense that thirty years of spiritual experience is condensed into a one-year story that is itself part fiction, and the story a personal experience cloaked in fiction. The book may be read online, or purchased through the site.
https://reluctant-messenger.com/
The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, often known as the National Academies, is a congressionally chartered organization. Its section on science and religion discusses evolutionary biology as a cornerstone of modern science and a fact. At the same time, the writer argues that the evidence for evolution can be compatible with religious faith, but only when they do not accept their religious texts as literal interpretations, pointing to some of those that have done so.
https://www.nationalacademies.org/evolution/science-and-religion
With membership open to people of any religion or none, the SRF began in the early 1970, and currently exists to promote discussion between scientific understanding and religious thought on issues at the interface of science and religion. The organization host a number of activities, including an annual conference, and publishes two editions of its Review. Membership policies, levels and benefits are defined, and information about its essay competition, and a call for short papers are featured.
https://www.srforum.org/
The Templeton Press was founded as a program of the Templeton Foundation, a non-profit established by Sir John Templeton. It focuses on publishing books on topics such as altruism, business and spirituality, character development, church history, forgiveness, inspirational virtues, psychology, public policy, science and religion, spirituality, and health, many of which are available in electronic editions. Authors are invited to share book proposals, and educators can request desk copies.
https://templetonpress.org/
Presented by the Templeton Foundation, the Templeton Prize is an annual award given to a living person who, in the judge's estimation, "has made an exceptional contribution to affirming life's spiritual dimension, whether through insight, discovery, or practical works." Its purpose, criteria, judges, and past winners (laureates) from 1973 to today are identified, with an overview of the prize, the selection process, and biographical information about Sir John Templeton.
http://www.templetonprize.org/
Offering introductory resources from The Faraday Institute for Science and Religion, the site presents a series of informational articles and video on science and Christianity for adults and young people, with contributions from leading scientists and theologians. A book review and trailer for the book and film, "Test of Faith," is included, and a course by that name is available for purchase, to help small groups explore the issues raised in the film. Study guide samples are available.
http://www.testoffaith.com/
The Realist Guide to Religion and Science
Written by Fr. Paul Robinson, the book is a framework for appreciating and understanding the major questions about reality, human knowledge, and the positions of religion and science, then clarifying what makes for trustworthy religion and trustworthy science, both of which have to be realists. A synopsis of the book is given, along with a video introduction by the author, endorsements, and links to purchase sites in the United States, Australia, the United Kingdom, and the rest of the world.
https://therealistguide.com/
Rejecting the4 idea that science and religion are opposites, irreconcilable by definition, the site advances the idea that science and religion can reinforce one another to allow for a more profound and rewarding experience of the world and the place of humanity in it. The Project offers fellowships, in which Fellows participate in three intensive workshops focused on developing, writing, marketing, and publishing creative non-fiction stories about the harmonies between science and religion.
https://scienceandreligion.thinkwritepublish.org/
Understanding Science: Science and Religion: Reconcilable Differences
Made available through Understanding Science, a program of the National Center for Science Education at the University of California at Berkeley, the authors suggests that science and religion do not have to be at war with one another, but that they can be complementary, as science investigates the natural world, while religion delves into the spiritual. People of several different faiths and levels of scientific expertise do not see a conflict. A teacher's reference is included.
https://undsci.berkeley.edu/science-and-religion-reconcilable-differences/
Yes, Science and Religion Can Coexist
Authored by Elena Iam, an educator and speaker on topics related to debates between science and religion, the book discusses such topics as the possibility of proving the existence of God, whether science and religion can coexist, whether atheism is a scientific viewpoint, and if there is an objective right and wrong, as well as the logic to beliefs, and how to reconcile opposing beliefs. An introduction to the author, speaking schedule, press resources, and an online shopping area are featured.
http://scienceandreligioncoexist.com/
