Religion and Science: Can They Coexist in the Modern World
Religion and Science: Can They Coexist in the Modern World
Since the dawn of man, humans have struggled to explain the many mysteries of the universe, and to justify their existence in it. Throughout this journey of self-understanding, numerous standpoints about human existence have evolved and merged into a complex, abstract manifestation called religion. Advances in science and technology have yielded a new breed of human thought that has disturbed and shaken the foundations of religious ideology. The new, scientifically-grounded understanding of the universe has unfolded a plethora of answers to age-old questions, which are antithetical to the explanations offered by some religious beliefs. The Bible has answered the questions: how was the world created, how did the planet evolve, how were humans formed, and what role does God have in the world. Fundamentalists believe the Bible literally when they want explanations to these questions. Scientists have different explanations. However, believers in the modern world understand that religion and science must coexist if they are to have faith in God in the twenty-first century.
Apparently conflicting views of creation can coexist in a modern world where believers interpret the traditional Bible stories and scientific discovery. According to the book of Genesis, "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. And God said, 'Let there be light', and there was light" (Genesis 1:1-3 Catholic Information Network Online). Fundamentalists believe that this process took place on the first day at God’s command. Scientists explain that the universe and all of its containments exist because of the ‘Big Bang Theory’. According to the big bang theory, the universe began as the result of an explosion about 10 billion to 20 billion years ago. Immediately after the explosion, the
Since the dawn of man, humans have struggled to explain the many mysteries of the universe, and to justify their existence in it. Throughout this journey of self-understanding, numerous standpoints about human existence have evolved and merged into a complex, abstract manifestation called religion. Advances in science and technology have yielded a new breed of human thought that has disturbed and shaken the foundations of religious ideology. The new, scientifically-grounded understanding of the universe has unfolded a plethora of answers to age-old questions, which are antithetical to the explanations offered by some religious beliefs. The Bible has answered the questions: how was the world created, how did the planet evolve, how were humans formed, and what role does God have in the world. Fundamentalists believe the Bible literally when they want explanations to these questions. Scientists have different explanations. However, believers in the modern world understand that religion and science must coexist if they are to have faith in God in the twenty-first century.
Apparently conflicting views of creation can coexist in a modern world where believers interpret the traditional Bible stories and scientific discovery. According to the book of Genesis, "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. And God said, 'Let there be light', and there was light" (Genesis 1:1-3 Catholic Information Network Online). Fundamentalists believe that this process took place on the first day at God’s command. Scientists explain that the universe and all of its containments exist because of the ‘Big Bang Theory’. According to the big bang theory, the universe began as the result of an explosion about 10 billion to 20 billion years ago. Immediately after the explosion, the
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