A Miscellany 141
Science and Religion
by: Kyle Reginald Barrett
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Logical thinkers started to question religion because of scientific theories. This caused a huge tension between science and religion. Before this time the clergy were the scholars of the day, but humanity started to think on their own. Since the clergy were the most educated they had a very large influence on the world which is part of the reason religion has survived for so long.
Scientists started questioning the creation of mankind and the universe because, when thought out logically, the beliefs on creation didn’t make sense. Scientists wanted supportive reliable proof, but the clergy could only provide the bible. The existence or non-existence of a higher being can’t be proven either way.
The bible was written by prophets who are speakers of God. That would imply God was speaking to them which then suggests divine channeling. The divine channeling has no assenting or dissenting proof because God’s existence can’t be proven either way. When thought out logically, the bible holds no credibility. Evolution is a genetic change of a population that happens generation to generation. Mutations, natural selection, and genetic drift are all different methods of evolution. The bible says Adam and Eve roamed the Earth very soon after its creation, but archeological proof shows that dinosaurs roamed the earth long before man. Evolution is not supportive of the idea that humans roamed the earth first. This is why logical thinkers had a hard time accepting religious beliefs, and turned to science for answers. The clergy didn’t like being proved possibly wrong so they retaliated by banning science in retaliation to its blasphemous ideals. The scientists then had to resort to shady means to continue their studies.
Science is based on knowledge. Knowledge is the compilations of truths and facts. Religion is based on belief. Belief can be described as confidence, or the entrustment, in something that is unknowable. Something that is unknowable can‘t be proven correct or incorrect.