On Science and Religion

Notes from Christian Education

Thanks to the ever present media coverage, we have all heard of the ongoing dispute between the Creationists and the defenders of Charles Darwin's theory of evolution.  The latest volley in this ideological war was made by economist and former presidential speechwriter Ben Stein with the release of his “documentary” “Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed” in which he decries the educational establishment's intolerance for Intelligent Design.  (Recent court cases have found that Intelligent Design is really Creationism repackaged to make it look more “scientific”.)  Stein notes that a number of academics have either lost tenure, have been denied tenure, or have been outrightly fired for even suggesting that Intelligent Design be considered.  Although he states that his goal is simply “to encourage free speech”, he then goes on to compare Darwinism with Nazism.  To be sure, it is difficult to view any scientific principle outside of a social context, particularly one that has gained the notoriety that Darwin's theory has.  Yet it is no more accurate to suggest that adherents to Darwin's theory may also subscribe to the tenets of Nazism, that it is to say that believers in Christianity, such as ourselves, would also buy into Jim Jones' doomsday cult's particular brand of religion.  Thanks to people like Ben Stein, many otherwise thoughtful people have taken up arms, so to speak.  Is science really at war with religion?  Is there no dialog going on?  Do we need to jump into the fray?

The most militant people on the religious side are the fundamentalists who believe in a literal word-for-word interpretation of the Bible.  To be sure, the literal interpretation of the Genesis creation stories conflicts with Darwinism and a host of related scientific discoveries.  But according to the Creationists, it is about much more than whether the world we live in was brought about by God in seven days or over a period of four-and-a-half billion years.  It's about whether there is a purpose for us and this world we live in.  Darwinism, they claim, insists that we are all here by chance, random mutations in a cold, uncaring world that leaves no room for God. 

Biologist and religious critic Richard Dawkins (The God Delusion and The Blind Watchmaker) volleys back by insisting that science is the only acceptable form of explanation for our world.  If science discovers no purpose, then there is no purpose in the universe.  Dawkins points to instances of religious intolerance for the truth that has led to denial of basic human rights, such as the subjugation of women and children.  The late Carl Sagan, astronomer and host of the popular PBS television series Cosmos expresses his own views by attacking the authoritarian claims of religion.  In his book, A Demon-Haunted World: Science as a Candle in the Dark, Sagan begins by arguing against that claims of pseudo-sciences such as astrology and belief in UFOs.  Then he takes on organized religion for fostering belief in witches, demons, and faith healers.  When all is said and done, one wonders if there are any reconciling voices to be heard.Thankfully, there are!

The Rev. Thomas H. Thomas, General Minister and President of the United Church of Christ recently published a work entitled “A New Voice Arising: A Pastoral Letter on Faith Engaging Science and Technology” in which he calls for a dialog and understanding between the allure of science and technology, and the kind of just and righteous existence that our Christian faith demands of us.  This can only be accomplished through a dialog in which each person makes every effort to understand the other's way of knowing the world.  He says, “Many today are hungering for an authentic spirituality that is intellectually honest and at home in a scientific era.”  Rather than being left behind, our religious faith needs to be brought into the scientific age.  This would require a working knowledge of both worlds, and that is something that is neither expected nor encouraged in most people today.  So how do we go

about doing this?

We can start by educating ourselves.  Much to my surprise, there are quite a few published authors who have the necessary dual credentials to be able to write intelligently on both theological and scientific topics without distorting or oversimplifying the views of one or the other.  And best of all, these authors champion the idea of resolving differences between religion and science, and finding a way to integrate them into a unified whole.  I would recommend authors such as Ian Barbour (When Science Meets Religion) and physicist-Anglican priest John Polkinghorn (Exploring Reality: The Intertwining of Science and Religion).  You may find other resources to help with your own investigations at the UCC's Science and Technology Network's web page at www.ucc.org/not-mutually-exclusive.

These are complex issues that require thoughtful consideration on the part of each individual.    Learn as much as you can.  Even if you don't agree with an idea's proponent, it is worth it to you to understand how a scientist like Richard Dawkins or an Intelligent Design advocate like Michael Behe thinks and feels.  The yearning of a Creationist for a sense of purpose in this world is just as legitimate as the value a scientist places on unbiased observation, and rigorous testing of hypotheses.  Each can contribute, without excluding the other, to our understanding of our place and purpose in this world.  We will be discussing these ideas and more in adult Sunday School class throughout the month of May.  We look forward to hearing from you.

Yours in Christ, Kent Dristle

Christian Education Committee