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Unscientific America: Different Rifts, Still Divided

10/15/2009 4:45 PM

Science and religion. Do we dare utter these two words in the same sentence? Part 3 of Moose's book review of Unscientific America ran earlier this week, and now features a lively debate about this very topic.

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Guru

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#1

Re: Unscientific America: Different Rifts, Still Divided

10/16/2009 1:32 AM

Hi Moose,

I believe:

Man is endowed with intelligence and reason whereby he is required to determine the verity of questions and propositions. If religious beliefs and opinions are found contrary to the standards of science they are mere superstitions and imaginations; for the antithesis of knowledge is ignorance, and the child of ignorance is superstition. Unquestionably there must be agreement between true religion and science. If a question be found contrary to reason, faith and belief in it are impossible and there is no outcome but wavering and vacillation.

True science and true religion must always be in harmony. Truth is one, and whenever conflict appears it is due, not to truth, but to error. Between so-called science and so-called religion there have been fierce conflicts all down the ages, but looking back on these conflicts in the light of fuller truth we can trace them every time to ignorance, prejudice, vanity, greed, narrow-mindedness, intolerance, obstinacy or something of the kind -- something foreign to the true spirit of both science and religion, for the spirit of both is one. As Huxley tells us, "The great deeds of philosophers have been less the fruit of their intellect than the direction of that intellect by an eminently religious tone of mind. Truth has yielded herself rather to their patience, their love, their single-heartedness and self-denial than to their logical acumen." George Boole, the mathematician, assures us that "geometric induction is essentially a process of prayer -- an appeal from the finite mind to the Infinite for light on finite concerns." The great prophets of religion and science have never denounced each other. It is the unworthy followers of these great world teachers -- worshipers of the letter but not of the spirit of their teaching -- who have always been the persecutors of the later prophets and the bitterest opponents of progress. They have studied the light of the particular revelation which they hold sacred, and have defined its properties and peculiarities as seen by their limited vision, with the utmost care and precision. That is for them the one true light. If God in His infinite bounty sends fuller light from another quarter, and the torch of inspiration burns brighter than before from a new torch holder, instead of welcoming the new lights they are angry and alarmed. This new light does not correspond with their definitions. It has not the orthodox color, and does not shine from the orthodox place, therefore it must at all costs be extinguished lest it lead men astray into the paths of heresy!
Many enemies of the Prophets are of this type -- blind leaders of the blind, who oppose new and fuller truth in the supposed interests of what they believe to be the truth. Others are of baser sort and are moved by selfish interests to fight against truth, or else block the path of progress by reason of spiritual deadness and inertia.

Jon

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#2
In reply to #1

Re: Unscientific America: Different Rifts, Still Divided

10/16/2009 4:09 AM

Dear Jon,

Wow! I'm impress by the thouroughness and maturity of your outlook on the subject matter. I agree with you on your statement that religion and science is one and refers to the same "Truth".

One of the great men of history, a man of valor and of prominence in Palestine government once ask: "what is truth?". If science and religion point to the same truth, then its important to know and somehow understand and even experience that "Truth"

I would like to contribute more on this subject matter by posting my thoughts, time permitting.

Joey

EE Faculty

MIT, Philippines.

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Associate

Join Date: Jan 2007
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#3
In reply to #2

Re: Unscientific America: Different Rifts, Still Divided

10/16/2009 9:24 AM

Kind of. The two, science and religion have the same core. The first is a study and understanding of God's creation. The second is a full acknowledgement of God and who He is.

If the two can stay to truth, there is no conflict. It is when all of the weaknesses and pride of man enters that truth is hidden and light is gone.

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