Are Science and Religion in Conflict - Research Paper Example

? Are Science and Religion in Conflict? Are Science and Religion in Conflict? Many are the times when religion has various inconsistencies with science. While some people are alight with religion, some do not find this route appealing. As a matter of fact, there have been various debates that try to bring religion and science together. Many parties have come up with strong points that are aimed to settle the differences (Draper, 2010). However, not a single party is willing to water down their stand. As such, they have been in constant opposition as to which has a legitimate stand. Consequentially, some people are torn in between as they come to terms with issues raised by both sides of the divide. Most people only focus on the positive attributes of the two sides. As such, they do not have a concrete decision to fully settle for either religion or science. For these reasons, this paper answers the question as to whether there is a conflict between religion and science. Religion is based on religious practices and beliefs which are taught in defined settings and contained in various literature. Religious norms state that their followers have to uphold utmost faith in their beliefs. As such, they are to follow religious teachings and values at all times. One of the most outstanding issues in religion is that God is the creator of everything. Since He is the supreme creator, human beings have no legitimacy to compare themselves to the Supreme Being. In this case, humans have no reason to compare themselves to the Almighty through His mysterious ways (Radcliffe, 2012). The point is that religious fraternities are not in agreement with scientific innovations with scientists trying to compare their creations with those of the Almighty. The most outstanding example in this case is cloning. Science has made it possible for humans to create other humans through cloning, which is a scientific way of breeding humans through science. This is unacceptable to many religions as followers consider this to be mimicking their Creator. As a matter of fact, they consider the Almighty as a steadfast priority and should not be compared to anything else that exists or ever existed (Draper, 2010). For a human being to glorify cloning is ridicule to God as stated by the religious fraternities. Therefore, according to religious groups, the numerous scientific innovations are ill advised and should not try to compare their innovations with God’s creations. This has been a heated point of argument as scientists advance on their innovation in total disregard of the sentiments from the religious people. On the other hand, scientists state that there is no point of concern with their innovations in regard to cloning. In fact, some scientists state that the Almighty gave humans the brain as well as the right to fill the earth. As such, they are enhancing the Almighty’s task to multiply the human population and fill the earth. Since this is a strong point, scientists feel that they have an obligation to increase the human population in an easier and scientific way. Consequentially, religious fraternities state that this is not the intended approach to multiplication of the human kind. They state that the Almighty intended for the natural way of multiplying human beings. As such, these religious fraternities are totally against cloning of human beings. This creates a serious drift between the two parties as each tries to justify their opinions and approaches (Bury, 2010). Since they all have their supporting points and references, they seem to be in conflict. Apparently, this conflict seems to intensify with each development and cannot be solved on a round table agreement. Conflict arises between religion and science especially when there is such a profound contention. As a matter of fact, religious groups have one thing in common, which is their beliefs and faith in a superior being (Dennett & Plantinga, 2010). Therefore, all the people that interact with the religious groups will have to assert their beliefs in the superior being. This has been a cause of conflict between religious groups and scientific innovations. On the other hand, scientists are not controlled by beliefs. As such, they do not have regard for any superior being as stated by many religious groups. According to various sources, it is clear that a substantial number of scientists are non-believers. This is an inconsistency that is most likely to affect the relationship between religion and scientific innovations. According to recent statistics in the U.S., it is alleged that only about 10% of members of the American National Academy of Science are ardent believers. This shows that a large number of scientists in this organization are not keen to join any form of religion. This leaves a minute similarity between the religious groups and the organization of scientists. Since they have minute similarities, there is a high probability that they will have few things to agree upon. In further studies, it shows that people that have a common belief in a god are likely to make a concrete relationship. Therefore, people that have common beliefs will tend to have a good relationship despite their occupational differences. Therefore, religious affiliations will find it easy to interact with scientists that believe in a superior being (Plantinga, 2011). However, statistics show that there are few scientists who believe in God. For example, according to statistics, out of the scientists in the Royal Society, close to 4% avidly believe in the Almighty. This leaves a substantial disparity between the two groups. Since they have a difference in their beliefs, they are likely to have conflicts (Dennett & Plantinga, 2010). In addition, some scientists state that Isaac Newton would have come up with more scientific innovations unless he had been inclined to his religion. Therefore, his scientific innovations were obstructed by his belief in the religion. Scientific innovations are also in constant conflict with religion especially in regard to manufacture of war ammunitions and arsenals. The religious fraternity states that there is a need for peaceful coexistence in the world. As such, all humans should look for various avenues of enhancing peace. However, manufacturing and innovating arsenals is an indication that the world is not inclined to making peace. As a mater of fact, many religious groups have explicitly expressed their concerns in regard to nuclear weaponry around the world (Radcliffe, 2012). This clearly shows that the religion is in conflict with scientific innovations of manufacturing ammunitions. Religious groups state that the nuclear weaponry should be annihilated in the world as it causes tensions amongst nations. Furthermore, religious groups state that manufacturing weaponry instigates competition from other countries since they need protection. In their opinion, religious groups advise that the resources used to manufacture such weaponry should be used to enhance human life. However, scientists do not consider this as an obstruction to human existence or cause of fear. They consider it as a preparation for future war situations. Though there seems to be a conflict between religious affiliations and scientific innovations, there are some instances where the two have similarities. This is in regard to some issues that are positive to both the religious groups and scientists (Bury, 2010). The most prominent similarity between the two groups is the need to improve human life and alleviate suffering. Most scientists have discovered better medicines to treat and cure numerous diseases and conditions. The development of better drugs to treat humans has been appreciated by the whole world. This shows that the scientists and religious groups are consistent with this development. In many cases, religious affiliations encourage scientists to find cure for the many prevalent diseases with no cure yet, such as AIDS. Secondly, religions affiliations are in agreement with scientists for an improvement in education standards. Scientists have been working endlessly to improve technology and education. As such, religious groups have appreciated these innovations and are incorporating them in their schools and teachings. Thirdly, religious groups are in agreement with scientific innovations with regard to enhanced communication. On the other hand, infrastructure development by scientists has enhanced the spreading of religious beliefs in the world. Lastly, religious groups seem to have no conflict with scientists with regard to improving human living conditions (Plantinga, 2011). Life has been made easier as humans are embracing scientific innovations which make work easier. While looking at some of these reasons, it is evident that science and religion have particular areas of contention and contradiction. However, each appreciates the other in some instances as elaborated above. In conclusion, there exist conflicts between religion and science. Religious affiliations have their point of focus, which is faith and belief in their Creator. As such, they will try to protect their interests and beliefs. With such protection, they are likely to conflict with scientists who do not profess such faith and beliefs. For example, cloning of human beings is against the beliefs of many religious groups. Therefore, they do not consider this an acceptable approach to forming life. Similarly, scientists are innovating ammunitions which are used in wars. On this issue, religious groups are neither in line with war eruptions nor development of weaponry. Therefore, they will try to communicate their disapproval in regard to such endeavors. However, there are other reasons that ease the conflict between religion and scientific innovations; this is in regard to the improvement of human life. Scientific innovations have made human life bearable and interesting. Though there is some point of intersection, there is still constant conflict between science and religion. References Bury, J. B. (2010). The idea of progress. New York: Echo Library. Dennett, D. C., & Plantinga A. (2010). Science and religion: Are they compatible? Oxford: Oxford University Press. Draper, J. W. (2010). History of the conflict between religion and science. New York: Mobile Reference. Plantinga, A. (2011). Where the conflict really lies: Science, religion, and naturalism. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Radcliffe, P. S. (2012). A shotgun wedding: The conflict between science and religion resolved. New York: iUniverse. Read More