Science vs. Religion

(Originally delivered as a prepared speech during WIDPSC 2013)

“For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction”

“Do unto others as you would have them do unto you”

Today, we find ourselves engrossed in a reality where human knowledge and innovation culminate in a society devoted to progress - a society which has a profound yearning for truth and precision. But alas, we also find ourselves in a world where the desire to answer the fundamental questions of our existence has resulted in an injurious war between scientists and theologians. It is now a commonly held belief that faith and science are incongruous approaches to answering the central questions which all introspective individuals must ask themselves.

It does not, however, have to be so. My aim is to illustrate how science and religion are, in fact, destined to be allies and that the conflict between them will degrade into a mutual agreement for the benefit of humanity.

Before we can formulate a solution, we must outline the problem. The difficulty may seem to lie only in the realm of the inherent differences between science and religion, but if one analyses it then it becomes apparent that the problem has its roots in the historical conflicts between the two.

The commonly accepted “God of the gaps” principle maintains that religion is present to explain what science cannot explain. This naturally leads to the conclusion that as science then advances, religion must be retreating in accordance. This has certainly seemed to be the case over the last two centuries, as science has solved mysteries ranging from the origin of species to the beginning of the universe. 

But, to understand the dissimilarities between science and religion, we must first consider what they both actually are. This task, in reality, proves to be rather difficult. The physicist Lord Rutherford once quipped that “science is what scientists do”. While that is true, science is more accurately described as the pursuit of knowledge through a process of logic, questioning and reason. Religion, in utter contrast, is the unquestioning belief in, and worship of, an unperceivable controlling power - a deity. 

Now, it is plain to see why these two ways of thinking clash on such a multitude of issues, for they are as starkly different as Pope Francis and Stephen Hawking. Due to this situation, two primary views exist regarding the cooperation of science and religion, namely the mutually exclusive view – held by extremists such as Richard Dawkins – and the mutually inclusive view – of which Albert Einstein himself was a devotee. He once remarked that “science without religion is lame and religion without science is blind”. 

But even at a fundamental level, science and religion have similarities. They are, in fact, both approaches to answering big questions about the universe and our place in it. I personally feel that neither can answer all our questions, but a combination of the two can make a significant impact on the advancement of our society. Consider it for a moment and you will realise the lunacy of trying to explain everything with only science, or only religion – it would be about as effective as describing music using geometry and vice versa. As Cardinal Baronius mused in the late 1500’s, “religion teaches us the way to go to heaven, not the way the heavens go”.

 

So, as I previously hinted at, the real problem lies not in the inherent differences between science and religion, but in the execution of their principles. Science is beautiful in its simplistic and irrefutable logic, while religion is an infallible element in our understanding of our place in the cosmos. Both are unflawed in essence, yet both have been tainted by the sordid abuse of their principles. It is, therefore, the people of science and the people of religion who are at war. 

As members of the human race we should feel ashamed that something as pure as religion could be twisted so as to justify the mass genocide of thousands during holy wars like the crusades. We should feel enraged that science can attack the existence of God altogether and avoid research associated with religious teachings. We should be stirred by this unjust manipulation of our faith and reason, we should be inspired to unify them once more, as they were intended to be since the age of the philosophers. 

Unfortunately, we are not. We have been raised in a society which teaches us to subscribe blindly to a school of thought – be it science or religion – and follow it diligently. And why not? Why shouldn’t we choose our deepest beliefs in a similar manner to the way we choose a sports team to support? The answer is simple. Competition is a motivator in sports. In the conflict between science and religion, however, competition is only detrimental. I would even go as far to say that it is the primary hindrance of our progress as a species. 

So, where does this leave us? We have identified the dilemma: science and religion, while dissimilar, are not opposites but are nonetheless being used against one another by their respective leaders. What is our solution? Clearly, we need both science and religion and cannot simply eradicate one. We also cannot continue to allow the world to be divided into men of faith and men of reason. Currently, religion and science are both helping fuel fierce political wars between nations, while lives are lost. I’m sure you would all agree with me when I say that continuing to allow this is simply insane. 

 

I believe the solution is to unite the two factions, to use science and religion together as specialised tools to shape our society into one where violence, terror and suppression are all unnecessary. Chief Rabbi Lord Sacks expressed this impeccably in a BBC documentary where he stated: “science takes things apart to see how they work, religion puts things together to see what they mean. We need them both”. 

Saving our future generations from the plight of a fragmented human race will not be easy, but the onerous challenge is ours to tackle. To accomplish our dream for society, we first need to make it a priority, a topic for discussion and, moreover, a topic for acting upon. Secondly, the younger generations have to set a precedent for the impending unification. Those who have a weak spiritual life need to reawaken it and profess it alongside reason. Those who reject the theories of science should now embrace the opportunities of free thinking minds working in collaboration. Faith and reason need to work hand in hand and the youth are capable of shifting the conflict filled relationship the two currently have into one of cooperation and advancement. How glorious it will be when this concept becomes a reality. 

Science and religion can no longer be enemies because the consequences of it are too devastating and the possibilities, after reversing it, too alluring. We teeter on the edge of a new awakening in humanity, where battle lines will soon fall away, only to be replaced by the glorious alliance of faith and reason.