Are Religion and Science in Conflict - Essay Example

Most accept the theory of evolution as a credible and reject the literal Biblical account yet a small minority of the population is atheist therefore the majority believes in religion and science simultaneously to varying degrees. However, the disciplines of science and religion are in constant conflict and can never be reconciled. Science observes the forces of nature then processes and analyzes information based on evidence. It develops an initial hypothesis then attempts to disprove assumptions, procedure that continues as new evidence is introduced.

Science is concerned only with naturally occurring events and not with divine involvement because it has no basis in fact, there is no tangible evidence of a God. Tangible meaning God has never appeared on Oprah. Some might say the sky, earth and everything on it is evidence of God’s creation but for evidence to be considered credible by scientific standards, it must be verifiable and offer more than simple conjecture and wishful thinking. Religion sets the bar for credible evidence to conform beliefs much lower.

It is concerned only with belief and faith as its means to obtain knowledge, not with attempting to disprove its conclusions as science does but by blindly accepting as true the revelations as written in an ancient book ostensibly from one or more gods. Most religious persons will defiantly assert that their particular religious beliefs are correct and that other religions and science are flawed which causes conflict between differing religions. There are few such conflicts in science. Scientists welcome debate on newly developing hypotheses and generally accept substantiated theories such as evolution.

(Robinson, 2003) In today’s modern society, we are often willing to give credit to science for providing us with the great knowledge we have regarding how things work and our position in the universe. It is science that has led to the