Stereotypes: A Brief Note On Science And Religion

1The popular opinion leads to think that science and religion are incompatible. It is commonly believed that they are opposites, one cannot live with the other. But in fact, science and religion are perfectly compatible. Before the 17th century, most scientists were Christians who wanted to study God’s creation and understand Him better. Where does this conflict come from, then? It all started when Galileo discovered that the earth rotates around the sun, instead of being the other way round, and the Church’s consequent opposition. Two centuries later, in 1859, Darwin argued that the human being had not been created by God as it is currently, but had been the development of an evolution. This theory contradicted the first chapter of the Bible

Scientists are thought to be arrogant, atheist and religion-hating. On the other hand, the stereotype of a theistic is of someone who denies evolution and despises any type of progress. It is only a myth that scientists hate religion and are atheist. According to a survey carried out in 2009 in America, 51% of scientists believe in a higher power, concretely 33% of scientists believe in God, whereas 18% believe in a universal spirit or higher power. Out of this 51%, 18% attend weekly services, which is impressive taking into account that only the 20% of the American population attends weekly services. On the other side, most Christians believe in evolution and accept Genesis as a metaphor. In fact, it is believed that God directed the process of evolution and the first chapter of the Bible is a figurative story trying to send out the message of redemption. Even in the 4th century, St Augustine argued that religion and reason, not called science yet, are not opposed, they are, in fact, complementary: “When there appears to be a conflict between demonstrated knowledge and a literal reading of the Bible, scripture should be interpreted metaphorically” (St Augustine). During his youth, this saint renounced to his religion for rationalism but, as he grew older, he realised that reason and progress is not opposed to religion and

For instance, religion wonders about the meaning and purpose of life, whereas science studies the causes and the proper functioning of the world. The main conflict arises when one of them plays to be the other. It is well known that many scientists have developed some theories about life and its aims, a field that belongs to religion. They should accept its limitations and, most importantly, learn from each other. Many institutions, both scientific and religious, seek a harmony and are willing to collaborate in order to create a community where religion is compatible with science and modern discoveries are taken seriously. Many authorities of each side are in favour of an integration between them. “Science can purify religion from error and superstition. Religion can purify science from idolatry and false absolutes. Each can draw the other into a wider world, a world in which both can flourish” (Pope John Paul