SCIENCE AND RELIGION


Science and religion – the two terms have come to signify a mutual antagonism. The two, it is commonly declared as poles apart. Their sphere of activity and their methods differ widely so much so that they are considered irreconcilable.

On the face of its science and religion, appear to be two opposite poles of man’s consciousness. Science is basically concerned with the material world. Its efforts are directed towards unraveling the “how” of reality while religion is concerned with the “why” of reality. Science deals with analyzing tangible entities into its minutes part and then arrives 0 are organized. While science is analytical religion takes the ultimate reality for granted. Religion follows the metaphysical path; the concept of god is ultimately a matter of faith and it is this faith which is the basis of the religious man’s attribution of a design or meaning for the reality.
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The modes of actions are different in science and religion. Science relies on experiment whereas religion is based on experience. Any religious experience, whether it is Christ’s or Ramakrishna’s is personal and subjective. Science, on the other hand, is marked by the objectivity. Theory has to be corroborated by tangible proof. Science benefits mankind by providing material comforts. The frontiers of the science do not end in knowledge but are extended to the formation of appliances for actual use of science, it has been some what unfairly charged, the cultivates the materialistic thinking. However it has to be admitted that the mental attitude promoted by religion is entirely different. While the basis of scientific progress is unbridled curiosity and courageous endeavor. The truly religious spirits cavils at such presentation that man’s mind can penetrate the mysteries of the universe. Science promotes fearless inquiry while an essential ingredient of religion is the humility born of fear of god. Science incorporates a love of experimental knowledge while religion does not believe in the relational approach.

After saying all this, it appears as if science and religion are, after all antithetical are irreconcilably, so but we must not arrive at hasty conclusion. Nor must we unthinkably declare one of the spheres superior to the other.

In ancient times when human knowledge was limited enough to be an undifferentiated whole, there was no conflict between science and religion. The magician was the doctor as well as the high priest. Natural calamities were ascribed to god’s wrath. Gradually the seeds of antagonism between science and religion began to sprout, but the opposition was no deadly. Though Copernicus and Galilee were severely criticized for their revolutionary theories on the solar-system. It was more because the theory offended, long accepted views than because the specifications went against Christianity. Newton’s laws were not condemned indeed their acceptability to religion is well expressed in the couplet :

Nature and Nature’s law lay hid in the night.
God said, let Newton be and all was light.
It was in the nineteenth century that the differences between science and religion began to be emphasized. With doctrinal religion certainly being forced to take a back seat.