The relationship between religion and science has been filled with tension, part
ID: 232004 • Letter: T
Question
The relationship between religion and science has been filled with tension, particularly in the West, primarily since the Enlightenment. The prosecution of some of the scientists by the church in the pre-Enlightenment era is partly responsible for that negative relationship. In other words, it is that particular historical context that produced the adverse relationship in the ensuing centuries. In other parts of the world, the relationship between religion and science has been more collaborative. There are many scientists here in the U.S. and abroad with religious affiliation. The issue, then, whether there is an inherent and inevitable conflict between science and religion or rather the conflict is between some scientists and some religious people with their particular understanding of religion. There are those who argue that religion and science are inherently in conflict with each other while there are others who disagree with that assumption and think that the differences between the two are reconcilable. Do you think religion and science are inherently in conflict and mutually exclusive? Explain why? Are the differences reconcilable on issues such as the origins of human species about which there is great disagreement between those who defend creationism and those who defend the theory of evolution?
Explanation / Answer
both religion and science have the same objective and purpose that is to know the unknown.
both try to find out the very basic and simple answers that have come across the mind of human since the very beginning of civilization. questions like who re we? why do we exist? what is our purpose? have been approached by religion. whereas questions like how did we come to exist? when did we begin? are there any other like us? have been looked after by science.
so in a broader sense they both serve the same purpose that is to enrich our knowledge and enhance our understanding. i dont think there is any conflict between science and religion. that what took place in history was rivalry and ensuring authority between a group of powerful people.