Not as volatile as I thought the comments would be. But it seems to me that one can’t separate a person and his religion from the rest of the things that comprise him—e.g.attitudes, customs, upbringing, and a general way of looking at things. I can look at the natural beauty outside my window and think “This didn’t happen by coincidence; it’s there because of something bigger than it.” I may not mean that at a religious statement (seems pretty obvious to me), but some people will inevitably take it that way. Seems to me that some people who get so worked up at “religious beliefs” want people to be something other than beings they are.
Faith is essentially a belief in an unseen truth plus the determination to put it to the test. You might say faith is necessary in science as well, in order to develop a hypothesis and have the discipline and tenacity to experiment on it. A more defining key difference is that a good scientist is not deterred when the research disproves the hypothesis. I can’t find the exact quote, but I really like the way Neil Degrasse Tyson expressed it: when facts get in the way of your beliefs, then it’s time to revise your beliefs.
As a Christian I find it disappointing how many people can claim Jesus as their Savior and yet spend so little time studying his teachings. When you go to the source and really analyze his words, the faith he promotes is anything but blind. While the metaphysical aspects of religion will always require belief without proof, we HAVE to be critical thinkers and experiment on the directives of our spiritual leaders. If they’re not guiding us to be better people, more introspective, selfless, and unified, we might want to think twice about their guidance. If the voice behind the pulpit denies the imperative for unconditional love toward all, even those we call “sinners” or “enemies,” then that voice might be echoing the wrong Master.
ChukLitl Premium Member over 9 years ago
Science, religion, philosophy; all the search for the great what it is. Science demands evidence.
David Huie Green AmericaIsGreatItHasUs over 9 years ago
Eeeeeeek
Melki Premium Member over 9 years ago
I believe some states have banned the teaching of science.
Agnescomic over 9 years ago
Scientists don’t work on a selection of beliefs. They work on a system to increase knowledge. Belief and knowledge are not the same thing.
DLF3275 over 9 years ago
I wonder what book Agnes is reading… because that isn’t the definition of “religion.”
1148559 over 9 years ago
A religion is a way of life. If I can only be religious “on my own time” then I don’t have freedom of religion.
gzitver over 9 years ago
I wonder from where Agnes is reading that definition. I can’t find it via Google.
rshive over 9 years ago
Not as volatile as I thought the comments would be. But it seems to me that one can’t separate a person and his religion from the rest of the things that comprise him—e.g.attitudes, customs, upbringing, and a general way of looking at things. I can look at the natural beauty outside my window and think “This didn’t happen by coincidence; it’s there because of something bigger than it.” I may not mean that at a religious statement (seems pretty obvious to me), but some people will inevitably take it that way. Seems to me that some people who get so worked up at “religious beliefs” want people to be something other than beings they are.
Goblinopolis over 9 years ago
Science is the search for answers. Religion concerns itself with questions.
pschearer Premium Member over 9 years ago
Science is based on reason; religion, on faith. Reason and faith are antithetical.
Seeker149 Premium Member over 9 years ago
Faith is essentially a belief in an unseen truth plus the determination to put it to the test. You might say faith is necessary in science as well, in order to develop a hypothesis and have the discipline and tenacity to experiment on it. A more defining key difference is that a good scientist is not deterred when the research disproves the hypothesis. I can’t find the exact quote, but I really like the way Neil Degrasse Tyson expressed it: when facts get in the way of your beliefs, then it’s time to revise your beliefs.
As a Christian I find it disappointing how many people can claim Jesus as their Savior and yet spend so little time studying his teachings. When you go to the source and really analyze his words, the faith he promotes is anything but blind. While the metaphysical aspects of religion will always require belief without proof, we HAVE to be critical thinkers and experiment on the directives of our spiritual leaders. If they’re not guiding us to be better people, more introspective, selfless, and unified, we might want to think twice about their guidance. If the voice behind the pulpit denies the imperative for unconditional love toward all, even those we call “sinners” or “enemies,” then that voice might be echoing the wrong Master.