After Science, What's Left For Religion?

[Sunstone]

It's often said that science has progressively replaced religion in our lives. But is this true? Has science really crowded out religion?

Has science replaced religion as a source of wisdom?

Has science replaced religion as a foundation for living the Good Life?

Has science replaced religion as a source of information about transcendental experiences?

Has science replace religion as a basis for information about our origins and the origins of the universe?

Has science replaced religion as a basis for ethics?

Has science replace religion as a basis for salvation?

Do you think that science has undermined or weakened religion? If so, how? If not, has science actually strengthened religion?

Are there areas or issues that science will never replace religion in? If so, why? If not, why not?

 

[stemann]

It's often said that science has progressively replaced religion in our lives. But is this true? Has science really crowded out religion?

No way José.

Has science replaced religion as a source of wisdom?

Nein.

Has science replaced religion as a foundation for living the Good Life?

I sure hope not- that would be illogical. Since is not prescriptive, it is descriptive.

Has science replaced religion as a source of information about transcendental experiences?

For some such experiences, science has offered explanations, but it has far from dispelled beliefs thereof.

Has science replace religion as a basis for information about our origins and the origins of the universe?

I believe that it is, but very, very slowly.

Has science replaced religion as a basis for ethics?

As before, I doubt it.

Has science replace religion as a basis for salvation?

I didn't think salvation was really that scientific?

Do you think that science has undermined or weakened religion? If so, how? If not, has science actually strengthened religion?

It has done either depending on who you are. For me, there is much less mystery about the universe which I used to think religion could possibly describe.

Are there areas or issues that science will never replace religion in? If so, why? If not, why not?

No, because the point of science is to deal with everything in existence, and so anything that can be shown to be true would be studied by science. I think....

 

[Fluffy]

It is very rare for a person to continue to hold a belief when confronted with evidence that shows something contrary. For example, a Creationist will attack and undermine scientific evidence for evolution in order to keep their beliefs. They would not be able to accept the scientific evidence and hold their Creationist beliefs since this would be a variation of Moore's paradox.

With that in mind, it seems as if science will never be able to replace religion since its truths are not self-evident; they are brought about via induction. However, what I consider to be the more crushing blow is that science cannot currently deal with concepts such as reality and therefore it relies on a number of assumptions (e.g., that we percieve reality in a non-distorted form). This now gives a believer more legitimate leeway to reject science in favour of religion.

Science is easier to believe than religion for those who have not had religious experiences since its concepts are constantly demonstrated via our senses. For this reason, it may replace religion entirely. It certainly would not be the result of having a monopoly on truth.

 

[OneStraw Revolutionary]

Well, for some people it is easier to accept science over any religion. Still, science does not have answers to questions that many faiths do.

Surely the scientific community knows how my body works, how my brain retains its consciousness, how it sends thoughts and emotions and commands, but not what sparks that consciousness in the first place. Religion sure likes to fill in that blank.

Now enter the String Theory (check it out on wikipedia), formed to explain more about our universe and how it works. It places this universe as one of many, and in these our laws of physics might not be the same. Some could take this as proof (well, as much as a theory can prove) of heaven, or of the otherworld, or of the astral plane.

I'm learning to see that Science and Religion are not opposed. Though I am far from a scientist, I am learning to have respect for it, certainly for those who work to further it. So far, I haven't seen anything scientific that can outright disprove the things I believe or contemplate.

 

[Scuba Pete]

It's the digital watch scenario...

When they first hit, they were ALL the rage! However, while they are still rather prevalent the really EXPENSIVE watches are still analog. Go figure!

Man has always been amazed by techology. It's the drive that keeps it changing so quickly. But science has little bearing on our character or our heart. It doesn't meddle in those affairs and niether should it.

 

[almifkhar]

in ancient times, when one was considered educated and when one went off to school only four things were taught
1.science
2.math
3.philosophy
4.

 

[almifkhar]

4. religion

the reason is because all of these subjects fit hand in glove with one another.

 

[Quiddity]

It has been the misunderstandings on both camps (theist and non-theist) that lead them to believe that they are after the same thing. If the day comes that Science is after finding the answer to why stealing is wrong, then we can firmly say that Science is after the same answers as Religion. But that isn't the case and they can function just fine side by side.

 

[BruceDLimber]

Hi!

As a Baha'i, I believe that science and religion are not only both important, but agree and dovetail very nicely!

Each is important, and each plays a different role:

Science explains HOW. Religion explains WHO and WHY.

Science without religion is gross materialism; religion without science is superstition and witch-burning.

And the quickest way to get into trouble is to try to use either one in place of the other.

Works well for us!

Best,

Bruce

 

[Bishka]

I believe science and religion go hand in hand. (At least in my book they do)

 

[OneStraw Revolutionary]

Morality is only a part of religion. Science doesn't deal with moral issues. But religion and science do overlap in some parts, when religions offer creation myths and science offers creation theories for example. When religion wants to explain how the world works and why it came to be this way, then it is after the same thing as science.

 

[robtex]

Religion offers an emotional support system and expression on forumlas of morality. It assigns meaning to life for groups and communities. It presents the idea that the universe it not neutral (most religions do anyway) but non-neutral in structure.

 

[Willamena]

It's often said that science has progressively replaced religion in our lives. But is this true? Has science really crowded out religion?

No. The two are not related, and there is plenty of room in the world for both.

Science is a method of defining the world. Religion is our method of living in it.

Has science replaced religion as a source of wisdom?

No, because science is a source of knowledge, not wisdom.

Has science replaced religion as a foundation for living the Good Life?

No; the humanities can exist alongside, or even as a part of, religion.

Has science replaced religion as a source of information about transcendental experiences?

*blink* What information has science presented about transcendental experience? (oh, I hope you don't mean the paranormal.)

Has science replace religion as a basis for information about our origins and the origins of the universe?

No; neither science nor religion provide information about the origin of our universe, so there is nothing to replace. Creation myths (like all myths) are about us. The Big Bang (the most accepted cosmogonical theory) provides explanation beginning at the moments after the formation of the universe.

Has science replaced religion as a basis for ethics?

No, science doesn't provide any basis for ethics.

Has science replace religion as a basis for salvation?

No; science neither professes to nor provides salvation.

Do you think that science has undermined or weakened religion? If so, how? If not, has science actually strengthened religion?

I think that the artificial schism that sprung up between science and religion weakened them both. I blame literalism.

Science has no real purpose in strengthening religion. Science is simply here to define things.

Are there areas or issues that science will never replace religion in? If so, why? If not, why not?

Yes; religion is that area.
Science will never replace it, because science is just here to define things.

 

[ALifetimeToWaitFor....]

I think the more appropriate question is, has science become a religion? Physicists in particular are debating the existence of God and are incorporating many morals into their search for the TRUTH.

 

[Willamena]

I think the more appropriate question is, has science become a religion? Physicists in particular are debating the existence of God and are incorporating many morals into their search for the TRUTH.

But the truth of what? That's the thing.

 

[ALifetimeToWaitFor....]

Truth can't be confused whether it be of religion, science, philosphy is what the educated human mind strives for and in the very end they will all merge into one. Because it is the truth.

 

[Willamena]

Truth can't be confused whether it be of religion, science, philosphy is what the educated human mind strives for and in the very end they will all merge into one. Because it is the truth.

But it does matter. It matters what the truth we find is about. Truth by itself, with no context, is meaningless. Truth is always the truth *of* something, and science seeks very specific things.

Observe, hypothesize, test, report, observe, hypothesize, test...
What truth is being sought there? (meaning what is the truth discovered therein about?) It is the truth of "what is."

Religion seeks truth about a different thing: "Know thyself." Religion is the truth of, "I am."

 

[Booko]

It's often said that science has progressively replaced religion in our lives. But is this true? Has science really crowded out religion?

No.

Has science replaced religion as a source of wisdom?

It has been a source of wisdom and a source of insanity. Though I would say it is not science itself, but rather the uses to which it is put that make it an asset or a liability.

Has science replaced religion as a foundation for living the Good Life?

If by the Good Life you are referring to hot showers and toilets, then I am all for it.

Has science replaced religion as a source of information about transcendental experiences?

Only in the hands of fakirs. Science is not concerned with transcendental experiences.

Has science replace religion as a basis for information about our origins and the origins of the universe?

Thank goodness, it has. Except for a few people in denial.

Has science replaced religion as a basis for ethics?

Science can help us learn things that are useful to know when considering ethical questions. But I have never heard, say, a commentary on the moral nature of bosons.

Has science replace religion as a basis for salvation?

This begs the question...is salvation necessary? And also, salvation from what?

Do you think that science has undermined or weakened religion? If so, how? If not, has science actually strengthened religion?

The only thing that has undermined religion is religionists who wouldn't know a false dichotomy if they ate one for lunch.

Are there areas or issues that science will never replace religion in? If so, why? If not, why not?

Can science tell me if I should get married? Divorced? Whether its ethical to perform some act, or fail to perform it? Will science encourage me to help my neighbor, or to learn to get along with those unlike me?

 

[ALifetimeToWaitFor....]

Observe, hypothesize, test, report, observe, hypothesize, test...
What truth is being sought there? (meaning what is the truth discovered therein about?) It is the truth of "what is."

This is rapidly changing in the complex often unobservable realm of quantum physics. They are using laws to build upon theorys, such as the big bang and the equations cannot reach a point Planck time and are trying to find a reason why this is it. Many have turned to God or the cyclical universe, as in it has always been . No start and no end. Quantum physics is esstenially a faith in the unobservable based on proven laws and equations. Religion isn't so far from this. Religions that are proven in their ability to change lives have had mass appeal. There must be truth in this unobservable phenomena. By no means in either case definative.

 

[ALifetimeToWaitFor....]

Truth will be found its just how you interpret it, .