Religion and Science: Do they have to exist separately?
By Laura
@Stitch95 (178)
United Kingdom
September 3, 2016 4:24am CST
I'd like to start off by saying that I am agnostic, meaning (for me at least) that while I don't conform to any sort of religion, I do not rule out the possibility of there being God/s.Neither side of the argument has provided enough evidence for me to have a definitive position on the matter.
THAT BEING SAID
If you're religious, do you completely disregard science? If you're more of a scientific mind, do you completely disregard religion?
I personally don't see any reason why they have to exist independently of each other (except on matters where science provides empirical proof on a matter), yet many people seem to think that if you follow one then you must deny the other.
I understand that in some areas they seemingly contradict, but surely there is a way to reconcile them? Or at least for people to accept that there are alternate possible explanations for things?
4 people like this
7 responses
@jazzyindian (492)
•
3 Sep 16
There's one basic difference betweeb religion n science...
Religion is what one believes and science is what they study and believe
1 person likes this
@owlwings (43915)
• Cambridge, England
3 Sep 16
I don't think that religion and science are at all incompatible. They each deal with different kinds or aspects of reality and, where they do seem to conflict, it is because one is treading on ground which properly belongs to the other.
The reality which is the proper domain of science is the physical world and things which may be known and demonstrated and verified by experiences which are reproducible by others. 'Religion', on the other hand, deals with personal experience of things which cannot be demonstrated and verified in the same way.
Religion is probably the wrong word to use, in this case. 'Spirituality' or 'The spiritual experience' would be better and more specific. Rekigion, itself, usually incorporates speculation on the nature and timeline of creation and this is mainly where the two disciplines appear to conflict because religious texts speak in a completely different language from the factual languages of science and news reporting.
@1hopefulman (45123)
• Canada
4 Sep 16
I think of God as a great scientist and so see no problem between true science and true religion. The problem is caused by scientific theories and religious errors.
Let's take Genesis 1:1(New International Version) "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." Is that not scientifically correct? Did not the stars, planets and earth have a beginning? Is there not incredible design and intelligence in the physical universe? 
@Mike197602 (15487)
• United Kingdom
3 Sep 16
I don't believe in any man made religions as they just make no sense to me.
At least with science it changes as knowledge increases...makes no sense to me that people still think a 2000 year old book has any relevance today except as a storybook.
