Science and Religion - Essay Example

? Science and Religion Task Science and Religion Introduction Science and religion have been criticized for not providing an explanation to the recent development in cosmology and biology. The conflicting ideologies of science and religion are mystifying the cosmos. As such, this confusion arouses debates on the validity of the teachings of science and religion (Regan, Worthing & Australian Theological Forum, 2001). It is fascinating that scientists are questioning religion while believers are questioning science. Scientists are coming up with explanations on the developments in cosmology and biology to counter explanations of religion. Concurrently, religious believers are opting to understand the universe based on their beliefs. Nevertheless, it is required that one has to understand science and religion to unravel the mysteries of nature and human existence. 1. Recent developments in cosmology and biology and teleological explanations in sciences The recent developments in cosmology and biology suggest that science has a major role in explaining life and the universe. As such, scientific inventions are making people believe their capability in understanding the cosmos (Regan, Worthing & Australian Theological Forum, 2001). Research on cosmology has expanded human understanding on the happenings in the universe. Teleological concepts are being used to describe the cause of an action or an event. Hence, teleological judgments are weakening peoples’ faith in religion. For instance, the development of genetic science in biology suggests that technology influences most of the developments in current cosmology. This strengthens humans’ belief in science as opposed to religion. Human beings are beginning to understand the cosmos more than they did in the past (Regan, Worthing & Australian Theological Forum, 2001). The scientific research has advanced peoples’ knowledge of the cosmos in diverse ways. Hence, people’s cognition is directed towards advancing the cosmos and biological sciences. Religious people and scientists are coming up with an explanation for the current changes in the universe using teleological explanations. As such, the study of science and religion has aroused the curiosity of man making him knowledgeable. On the contrary, the current developments in cosmology confuse both scientists and spirituals around the globe (McGrath, 2010). Religious authorities and scientists have contradicting information concerning the forces that control the universe. For example, scientists are trying to explain natural phenomenon in scientifically. On the contrary, religious believers’ are perceiving events in the cosmos as spiritual happenings. Moreover, believers are claiming that a supernatural being is in control of such events. As evident in teleological explanations, biological developments suggest that nature is harmonious and everything happens for a cause. However, people are researching to understand the spiritual world more than the physical world (McGrath, 2010). This contributes to the confusion arising from debates in the past. Nowadays, it is easier for people to shift their belief from religion to the ideologies of science when scientifically explaining the developments of the cosmos. 2. Developments in evolutionary psychology and cognitive science Evolutionary psychology and cognitive science have led to the inventions in biological science. Understanding behavior through the science of cognition disputes some of the teachings of religion making it difficult for people to believe in religion. The assertion in evolutionary psychology is that behavior cannot be attributed to a specified cognition (McGrath, 2010). According to the theories of evolutionary science, the nervous system coordinates all human responses. This knowledge of evolutionary science has led to the development of experimental science (Mircea, 1963). The Darwinian theories that supported evolutionary psychology have falsified religion in various ways. Indeed, people have been made to believe that “adaptationism” evolves from human cognition. According to the principles of cognitive science, adaptation contributes to the development of certain traits in human beings. Therefore, brain functionality is a response to the environmental conditions. The environment influences meaning that humans’ belief or affiliation to a given religion. Advances in “cognitive science” are contradicting religion because behavioral scientists’ assert that natural selection influences human response to the events of the cosmos. Explaining a concept using evolutionary psychology can influence religion (McGrath, 2010). A liberal understanding of the evolution of cognition science is required in mapping out the behavior of human beings. Nowadays, individuals are relying on science in unraveling mysteries instead of being guided by the teachings of religion. This is disadvantageous to the development of religion because cognitive science mystifies religion by providing an explanation to the evolution of human faith. The misunderstandings in religion are perceived as a spiritual concept surrounded by mysteries. 3. Scientific atheism Scientific atheism entails the assertion that there is no evidence to the existence of God/supernatural being. Spirituals in the society relate scientific atheism to the acts of devil worship. According to McGrath (2010), scientific atheism is dispelling the belief that the universe is god’s creation. However, the atheism is not an impediment to the growth of religion because modern atheist advocates for equality of humankind. Evidently, any religion can progress despite the existence of atheism in a society. For any event or happening in the universe, there has to be a factual explanation. Darwinian explains that environmental changes have led to the modification of the human mind. Conversely, Dawkins asserts that modern biology has developed because of human beings desire to understand nature. This desire has brought confusion on gender roles of different members of the society (Mircea, 1963). It is interesting that religion can be strengthened using cognitive science in explaining the concept of spirituality. Dawkins is wrong by claiming that life can start from nothing. Evidently, nothing can exist without having a basis/foundation basing on the explanation of scientific atheism. The events of the universe have an explanation that is both scientifically and spiritual. Therefore, it is wrong to state the humanity came out of nowhere. It is a fallacy because science is based on sense and evidence (Mircea, 1963). Assumption can only be used in rearranging facts to understand a meaning. Explanations to mysterious scientific conditions in most cases are lies. Conclusion Unraveling the ambiguity of the universe requires a deeper understanding of both science and religion. Science guides people in coming up with factual explanation of the universe whereas religion provides a spiritual understanding of the forces controlling the universe. It has been the desire of scientists to have knowledge of science and religion to explain the current changes in the cosmology. The confusion in the cotemporary society results from the conflict amid science religion. References McGrath, E. (2010). Science and Religion: A New Introduction. Second Edition. Malden, MA: Wiley-Blackwell. Mircea, E. (1963). Myth and reality. Torchbooks Publications. Regan, H. D., Worthing, M. W., & Australian Theological Forum. (2001). Interdisciplinary perspectives on cosmology. Hindmarsh: Australian Theological Forum. Read More