World Religions: Comparing Their Relationship with Science - Essay Example

World Religions: Comparing their relationship with Science Introduction Modern science and religion has been on loggerheads with each other over major events in the world. Christianity advocates for God as the major component in the world activities while modern science state laws and theorems that control every activity in the universe. As much as the debate is all about Christianity and modern science, it is healthy to discuss other religions and their perception on world events. The aim of the essay will be to identify major religions in the world and discuss them with respect to modern science. The question would be on how the debate is controlled by western religions. The major concern would be on the influence that science and religion has on each other. The final concept would be to discuss creation based on modern science perspective and religious beliefs. The universe play host to a number of beliefs, there are commons element in all these practices and embrace these beliefs or select a single belief would depend on a given environment. Overview Pew research (2012) indicates 84% of the world’s population is affiliated to religion while a minority population depend on other practices rather than religion. Religion is an aspect when designing moral and beliefs in a selected group. The research indicates the two major religions in the world are Christianity, which stands at 31.5% and Islam, which accounts for 23.2% of the global population. The statistic affirms that the 84% of the population would have an element of their religion while interacting with modern day science. Other may comply fully with the religion and ignore element that goes contrary to their religious teaching. The remaining 16% of the population have the capability of adapting to any concept hence would fit in the modern day concepts and the religious beliefs concepts. The important aspect of the essay is on the 84% of the population and their perception on matters science. Religious teachings verse science My Jewish learning (n.d) indicates how the religion interacts freely with science. Judaism culture explores to understand the very components that contribute to the normal functioning of the universe; this means that the culture is more interested in the concept that enable the universe to function. The article connects the science concepts with the Judaism culture by identifying the important aspect of modern science as they give details on how the world functions. The connection is essential as it allows the conservatives the opportunity o practice their culture while at the same time allow room for other foreign beliefs. Mitelman (2011) indicates how teachings in the Jewish religion concentrate in shaping a person to follow specifics within a society. This allows room for an individual to gather knowledge from other sections of society but the person should uphold the moral aspects of the Judaism culture. Buddhism bases its beliefs from cultural aspect rather than the religious components. This implies that the culture gives room for its followers to adopt different teachings but adhere to the various concepts within the Buddhism culture. Barash (2014) indicates how outsiders from the religion terms it as friendly in that there are no negative teachings that deter western culture from fusing with the religion. The control of matters within the religion is more of personal choices rather than strict rules and requirement set by a given society. The concept gives science a room in which it can operate within the Buddhist cultures. The interest from the west indicates how the religion prefers an individual to be the concept of culture rather than an institution. Other religions belief in a culture as an institutional responsibility thus Buddhism attributes freedom of choice as the major concept in pulling masses towards their cultures. In the Hinduism religion, culture comes second after spiritual matters. The spiritual concepts within the Hinduism culture are a requirement in day-to-day practise. The major attributes to these beliefs are the fact that each individual sticks on their cultures and interact with other cultures based on limitation set by religions. This concept limits how people of this belief interact with concepts within the science world. Each scientific happening need to be reviewed based on religion and if not negative, consequences could follow the respective parties (Dassa, 2011). Muslim on the other hand provides two concepts in their day-to-day practise. The first aspect is the religious concept, which is a requirement to each follower. The second concept shapes the manner in which individuals interact with the universe. Limitation within the society allows individuals to reject teachings that are contrary to their culture. Changing trends in the universe has prompted many believers to accept science as part of their lives. The major argument would be on how to integrate culture and religion without creating a conflict of interest (Al-Khalili, 2013). The western cultures base their arguments on factor that are of interest to both the society and the immediate surrounding. The culture is accommodative hence suitable for the development of modern day science. Barash (2014) indicates how stern cultures are more interested on other religions. This allows people to choose from a variety of cultures and belief. Science has its own limitation in a number of cultures. These limitations are the reasons as to why western cultures are more interested on foreign elements of culture. The connection between culture and religion is important in modern day applications of life. The contradiction of some of the teachings and scientific explanation of some phenomena creates room for discussion among cultures. Creation verses big bang theory The scientific explanation of creation is based on the Big bang Theory. It explains the gradual transformation of earth to its current state. This creates a debate among major religions of the world on the authenticity of this theory with respect to their teaching. The differences between science theory and the creation is ion the time taken for the two events to occur. As much as both explain the nature, in which the earth was formed. Different perception on how this event took place arouses attention for both the western religions and other traditional beliefs (Dasa, 2011) Christianity defines creation as the influence of a supernatural with duration taken to create the earth and universe being six days. The big bang theory explains a gradual process that took place over millions of years. The western nation may discuss on what criterion was used to calculate the six-year period (CBNS, 2013). The discussion among Christians would be what force behind the gradual process. People may choose to ignore the time factor and connect the two concept of creation based on the similarities. The discrepancies that are created because of different explanation provided by Christianity and science is essential since it would allow the debate to accommodate other religions and cultures. According to Dasa (2011), science bases their explanation of empirical data while religion is based on teaching and mythical beliefs. The scientific explanation of creation explains the 15-20 years period in which the earth had to evolve. The religion has a similar concept as of Hinduism teaching. The first concept being lack of empirical evidence to prove the time that earth was created or evolved. The similarities in sentiments harbours mind within the religion that would engage with the universe to prove this concept. They both create a gap that needs to be filled by future scientist and religious believers. The other similarities between the creation story among the Hindus and scientific explanation is on the acknowledgement of existing world other than the earth. Science explains the solar system and planets while the Hindus use the seed jar explanation to prove existing planets within the universe (Dasa, 2011). The explanation of the planets prints another aspect in which the world should integrate. The study of the earth can be derived from the religious explanations of major phenomena. The two serves different purposes in that the earth is perceived by the Hindus to exist based on natural forces while science utilises the concept to indicate how this is possible. The essence of science in modern day religion is to aid individual with their beliefs. Researchers try to connect the two worlds by outlining the similarities between the religion and science. Judaism interact freely with science as they belief it assist them in solving mysteries of the world (Verhoeven, 2001). This means that a proper understanding of God through the man’s eye. The creation according to the religion was based on Six-day period in which the Supreme Being took while creating the earth. The concept may be relevant to them once they involve science into their thinking. Science could explain the six years taken to complete the earth by indicating the amount of period taken thus would be able to calculate actual events. The other group of conserve Jews have different explanation of creation in that they belief in science as means of diverting the holy book teaching and the way of the western cultures to corrupt their minds. The complex nature of this section of believers posses a major setback to those aiming t understand the universe using different cultures. Evolution with respect to science and religious beliefs Science depends majorly on the Darwin’s explanation of religion in that each concept within the world depends on the theory to justify its existence. The eastern religion according to Verhoeven (2001) shared the same sentiments as Darwin’s in matters evolution. The author indicates how different religions differ with the evaluation story concerning the moral implication the theory may have to their world. The story is different with Buddhism in that the similarity falls on the major concepts portrayed in the Darwin’s story of evolution. The anticipation of changing times with respect to religion affirms the desire by Buddhist to accommodate various concepts into their own culture and beliefs. There is a connection between the Buddhism teaching of nature and Darwin’s rule in nature. The relation exist where each theory explain the diverse creators of the universe and how they survive conditions within the earth. The teaching of any given religion plays part in ensuring their interaction with the modern world Evolution in the west is acceptable to a number of religions while other religions are opposed to the idea hence; they stick to their traditional teachings of discussing the world and creators that exist within in it. The freedom provided by Buddhism is a test of how science can blend well with religion to produce a more comprehensive understanding. Buddhism attributes to 7% of the entire population; this means that the minority embraces modernity and science in their daily lives and religious teachings (Pew research, 2012).The manner in which researchers flood to the east to understand the Buddhism is an indicator of how integration is a concept while operating within the universe. The religious teachings build characters within society in both negative and negative manners. The ignorant population in the west plays part in disconnecting science to religion. In some instances, science has overthrown religion in explaining of world phenomenon. This is evident when explain 27% of the Christian Protestants acknowledge the element of evolution and prefer the concept to any other teaching in the bible (Barasha, 2014). The differences between science and religion While religion is based on myths and beliefs, science connects the universe and explains every concept based on the available evidence. Christianity and Islam have common elements in which to base their arguments. The bible and Quran explain major occurrences in the world by relating each event to powers beyond human control. Hinduism relates the world to other tangible items in the universe for instance the universe seed jar is used to refer to the solar systems. Islam and Christianity combine elements of creation and outline the time taken to create the universe (Al-Khalili, 2013). Science use theories to explain major concurrences in the universe. Creation to them had a specific element of time and the order in which the universe was created. The Big bang theory hence is only authentic on the event sequences but lacks the time factor while discussing essential in evolution. The western religion verses other religion The conservative nature of the eastern religion allows many individuals to adhere to their cultural backgrounds but allow other cultures to influence the manner in which they interact. The western religion allows only specifics within their teaching. The debate on why the western researchers are interested in studying other cultures depends majorly on the unique nature in which these societies present themselves. Christianity embraces itself within morals of the bible (CBNS, 2013). The similarities within religion in respect to science are essential while interacting with the universe. The connection between the two religions lies on the acknowledgement of a supernatural being used as a reference tool rather than empirical data. Moral implication Religion creates a moral concept in which individuals need to adhere to in order to survive within the universe. The conflict of interest arises when science tries to overrule major teachings within the society. This includes the efforts by western cultures to influence the manner in which people internalizes concepts. Judaism acknowledges the essence of diversity in that it allows both religion and culture share a common platform. The argument within this religion is on how both would assist in understanding God. This means that the religion would be used as a guide tool while science would provide evidence on matters perceived complex to humans. The model can also be applicable to Buddhism where culture is not an aspect hence can be influenced by science and other cultures; the spiritual well-being is believed to essential in the religion. Any concept that will enhance religion is acceptable. The interest from the west on matters religion creates the knowledge of different opinions which are helpful while studying a given society and culture. The function of religion is to divide the universe between the believers and non- believers thus allowing a comparison between different cultures (CBNS, 2013). Conclusion There is a contrast between the sizes a religion and its interaction with the world through science. The relation of science and religion is more profound within the Asian religions. There is a connection between a conservative nature of religion and science. The link between the two falls deeply on research rather than an existing cultural practices and concepts within society. The smaller religions (in terms of population) tend to embrace science by connecting the similarities. The west on the other hand plays part in connecting these religions to science. Christianity, Judaism, and Islam believe in the existence of supernatural being thus dictate the nature in which human interpreted the world. Thus, the story of creation overrides the evaluation and Big bang theory. Those interest in the scientific discussion would have to choose on which element to pick from and should relates them to their teaching in order to ascertain the authenticity of the event before applying them to their daily lives. Buddhism takes a more conservative approach the move is to embrace modernity into their religion. The religion focuses on a person’s moral well being and allows the person to practice and believe in any other elements in the world. Works cited Al-Khalili, Jim. "Science and Islam - BBC Documentary." YouTube. YouTube. 27 Mar. 2013 .Web. 7 Dec. 2014. Barasha, David. "Is Buddhism the Most Science-Friendly Religion?." Scientific American Global RSS. 11 Feb. 2013. Web. 7 Dec. 2014. CBNS."World Religions: Tibetan Buddhism, Christian Science & Jainism." CBSNews. CBS Interactive. 12 Oct. 2013 Web. 7 Dec. 2014. Dasa, GadadharaPandit. "Hinduism: Where Science and Spirituality Intersect." The Huffington Post. 20 Sept. 2011. Web. 7 Dec. 2014. Mitelman, Rabbi Geoffrey A. "Why Judaism Embraces Science." The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, 20 June 2011. Web. 7 Dec. 2014. My Jewish Learning. "Judaism & Science in History - My Jewish Learning." Judaism & Science in History - My Jewish Learning. N.d. Web. 7 Dec. 2014. Pew research."The Global Religious Landscape." Pew Research Centers Religion Public Life Project RSS. Web. 23 Sept. 2014. Verhoeven, Martin. Buddhism and Science: Probing the Boundaries of Faith and Reason. Religion East and West, 1, (2001): pp. 77-97. E- Journal. Read More