4 of 22

Write now Article Tools

Page 4 of 5

is an epistemological one. The creationist would seem to be claiming that the bible is a legitimate source of knowledge about the physical world and its origins. Claims about the age of the universe implicit in the bible clearly contradict the approximate age established by scientists in the field of cosmology. If one is to accept that not all of the bible is literally true, then it becomes difficult to establish objective grounds to decide what should be taken as fact and what should be understood allegorically. Some would argue that religion is not dealing with facts the way science is. The suggestion is that Science deals with facts and Religion with values. To make all religious statements subjective is to undermine the structure of faith; if there are no "facts" about the existence of God or an afterlife then the purpose of religion has been removed. So revelation must be afforded some factual content, but information about our physical world seems to be ruled out. If one allows that truths about non-physical aspects of our reality may be obtained through revelation, then we have managed to dissolve this conflict without undermining the basis of religion.

Another flash point between Religion and Science is when technology allows things that go against the sensibilities of religious communities. For example embryonic stem cell research. Stem cells are cells which can be turned into most other kinds of cells. An embryo is made up of cells which have yet to differentiate themselves into the various organs. These cells can be cultivated in a lab and made to turn into many different types of cells. Research in this field promises to help cure some cancers, spinal cord injury, neuro-degenerative diseases among many other ailments. Many religious groups object to this research because they believe that isolating and cultivating stem cells from embryos is tantamount to taking the life of a child.

This problem is different from the preceding one in an important way. The objection to stem cell research is an ethical rather than a metaphysical objection. In the case of the evolution vs creationism debate, both sides are claiming to be objectively right. Both sides claim that they are dealing with fact. Science deals exclusively in this kind of objective truth and makes no claims about the morality of its experiments. It is up to the individual scientists to decide whether their experiments are ethical and for the scientific community to moderate the morality of itself.

• << previous page
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• next page >>

Add your voice

Know something about Science vs. religion: Understanding the differences?
We want to hear your view. Write now!