Contraversition between Religion and Science - Essay Example

Religion and Science The debate between Religion and Science has been in existence for centuries dating back to the days of great Scientists like Galileo, Isaac Newton and Charles Darwin. Human beings believed in a creator since time in memorial. However, many philosophers have attempted to quantify and evaluate the truth behind religion in order to approve or disapprove a supernatural force. One fact that is clear is that nobody knows. On the other, eminent theologians, scientists and philosophers try to embrace the differences and work towards harnessing mutual relationship between the three disciplines. This is due to the fact that some scientists turn out to be religious and some religious leaders also are scientists. This paper provides critical comments regarding three different questions that comprise of controversy between science and theology. The first exercise concerns Copernicus theory, postulated by a great scientist called Copernicus. Copernicus was a University trained Catholic priest dedicated to astronomy (Russell 59). Ancient scientists, theologians and philosophers strived to explain how the world operates and how it came into existence. Copernicus was not an exceptional. He endeavored to explain planets and the sun are interrelated. According to the astronomical method developed by Copernicus, the sun is positioned at the center of the universe with the Earth and other planets revolving around it in circular paths modified by epicycles and at uniform speeds. The model postulated by Copernicus deviated from an earlier model, the Ptolemaic system that had prevailed in western countries for centuries that placed the earth at the center of the universe (Russell 92). Although the Copernicus theory could predict accurately the relative distance of the planets from the sun it could not produce more accurate predictions of planetary positions. It appeared not to agree with common sense and also contradict the bible. Basing, on theological, physical and astronomical perspectives some thinkers like Tycho Brahe, objected the idea by Copernicus of the earth moving. Probably that might have been the reason why theologians rejected Copernicus theory, even though Copernicus had dedicated his book to the Pope (Russell 79). Seen as a smart move, Copernicus book’s publisher, Oisander, added a preface that seemed to shield Copernicus from any wrong doing .The publisher stated in the preface that the theory of the earth’s motion was put forward as theory and not as a conclusion suggesting it was the absolute truth. The approach used by Oisander assisted Copernicus not to appear unreligious before the church because everyone if free to express their views. It suggested that having a scientific view from the biblical view does not mean that however postulated that given theory becomes unreligious. On the contrary, the human mind is free to explore the world in an attempt to understand phenomena in the universe (Russell 46). The second aspect revolves around the discovery made by Isaac Newton in his attempt to understand the universe. He discovered gravitational force and three laws of motion (Russell 104). His discovery provided a platform upon which other scientists have developed today’s scientific inventions. Newton was the first to propose a set of laws that described the motion of things in the universe. Newton’s discoveries explained how the world operates has assisted people to comprehend the reason why certain things happen in a given manner. Probably, his findings contributed to the emergence of Deism. Deism on the other hand is seen as the belief that argues reason and observation of the natural world, without the need for designed religions can prove that the universe is the product of a creator with immense powers (Russell 164). This philosophy is for thee opinion that the almighty creator does not involve in human affairs nor suspend the natural laws of the universe. This philosophy rejects supernatural events like miracles and prophecy. According to the theory god does not alter the universe by intervening in it. The philosophy contradicts many Christians’ sect’s beliefs in miracles. Religion depends on belief. Deism believe that their almighty god does not intervene in humans lives while the Christian doctrine strongly believes in the in miracles and prophecy (Russell 57). Deism has critical elements. It rejects all religions based on books that claim to contain the revealed word of God. It rejects all religious dogma and demagogy. It also rejects reports of miracles, prophecies and religious mysteries. The constructive elements of deism include belief that God exists and governs the universe. God gave humans the ability to reason (Russell 96). This seems to be the scenario in which scientists find entangled. As Christians, they do appreciate the doctrines of Christianity but not the same to me they have the freedom to reason and make discoveries. Challenges normally arise when such discoveries tend to differ with the doctrines of Christianity (Russell 103). This is where a thin line between science and religion develops resulting into controversial debate. Christians believe God has angels who watch over every human being and He constantly communicates to His people, through angels, prophets and miracles. Everyone has the right to do choose religion. Debate on whose religion or belief better is will remain endless because no one has actual facts. Believers should respect other people’s belief (Russell 74). The third controversial aspect regards the Darwinism theory. Charles Darwin is renowned for his famous theory of evolution. Darwin’s theory suggests that the world is not constant or recently created nor perpetually cycling, but rather it is steadily changing and organisms’ are transformed in time (Russell 187). This theory suggests that every group of organism descended from a common ancestor, and that all organisms ultimately go back to a single origin of life on the planet earth. In trying to explain the enormous organic diversity, the theory postulates that species multiply either by splitting resulting into daughter species or by budding resulting into new species. This occurs through gradual change of the populations’. Production of genetic variations in each generation contributes to the gradual change. The well adapted individuals, who survive during the gradual change owing to a well adapted combination of inheritable characteristics, give rise to the next generation (Russell 66). Bishop Wilberforce thundered against Darwinism because it contradicts the bibles story of creation. According to the bible’s story of creation, all organisms were created by God in six days and most importantly, man was created in the image of God. God then put man in-charge of all livings and instructed man to multiply and fill the earth like stars in the sky (Russell 107). As stated earlier, religion is belief and no one is has actual facts. Darwin was justified to explore the world and attempt to explain phenomena in the world. In fact most scientific models explaining evolution borrow a lot of information from the findings of Darwinism. It is normal for someone to justify his position but what is important is tolerance. Everyone should respect other people’s views so long as such views do not affect others negatively. Since no one has actual evidence regarding the Christian doctrine, man is justified to explore the world and understand how it operates. People have different views but what is crucial here is the acceptance of views of others in the same way you expect others to respect your views (Russell 127). Controversy surrounding science and religion can be traced back to ancient Greek philosophers. Most of them believed that there was no distinction between theology and science. Great thinkers like Aristotle were for the opinion that science was a process of explaining laws behind creation (Russell 113). Such philosophers reasoned that great thinking and logic could perhaps unravel the minds of the gods involved creation. After the Muslim age, in the 12th century renaissance Europe became the center stage of learning with no big deal regarding theology and science. Many scholars who at the same time were Christians embraced the fact that science improved the understanding of natural phenomena and also increased the well being of mankind (Russell 152) Works Cited Russell B. Religion and science. London: Oxford University Press, 1997. Print Read More