Science and Religion

Dr Dildar Ahmed

[Dahmed]

SCIENCE AND RELIGION- AN EMERGING INTERDISCIPLINARY SUBJECT

By Dr Dildar Ahmed “I do not feel obliged to believe that the same God who has endowed us with sense, reason, and intellect has intended us to forgo their use.” Galileo Galilei Abstract ‘Science and religion’ is an emerging interdisciplinary subject. Many institutions in the West are already engaged in research on various topics of science and religion having historical and contemporary importance and are conducting courses leading to higher degrees. There are many areas which are common between science and religion and it is realized that the interrelationship of science and religion, if seriously explored and emphasized, has full capability to liberate the humankind from shackles of prejudice, narrow-mindedness and ignorance.

Science and Religion both have played momentous role in the progress of human civilization. Science is concerned with the physical and material aspect of the universe, trying to unravel its mysteries and harnessing the forces of nature for the progress and prosperity of the human beings. Religion is related to the spiritual and metaphysical aspect of the universe, providing human beings with ethical, moral and social systems for their wellbeing and happiness. While science deals with what and how of nature and its phenomena, religion is concerned with why, and wants to make the human beings cognizant of the absolute reality behind all what we observe and experience. ‘Science and Religion’ is an emerging interdisciplinary subject that is rapidly gaining momentum. Many universities in the West are offering interdisciplinary courses in science and religion leading to higher degrees. Many of them have research institutes and centers for the purpose. There are also organizations that support research and education on the subject with generous financial assistance. Numerous scholars are engaged, at their individual levels, in research on various topics related to science and religion and have made commendable contributions. However, the discipline has not yet attracted the support and supervision of the governments.

A few centuries back when Renaissance took place in Europe, science and religion, as a consequence of the West’s specific historical background, stood face to face with each other. At the outset when the ‘people of religion’ were enjoying political dominance, the scientific thought had to face severe resistance and later when scientific ideas spread all around and obtained popular acceptance and support, “the scientists’ natural reaction was to take vengeance on their former enemies”(M. Bucaille). In Europe, thus, science and religion have been trying to refute each other for centuries.

The 20th century, however, started witnessing a change in the attitude. For instance, Einstein, the famous physicist, expressed the relationship between science and religion in the following words:

“Science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind.” Science, Philosophy and Religion: a Symposium (1941) ch. 13

In the second half of the last century, when science was quickly heading towards its present heights with increasingly new and astonishing discoveries and inventions, the realization that science and religion can compliment each other started gaining strength. Science can available an opportunity for religion to cast a second eye at what it considers its fundamentals. In doing so it may come across certain precepts which really are not the ultimate truths. Similarly, religion can make science realize that to make the world a place worth living for human beings, it would need the assistance of the religion’s spiritual and social character. Moreover, the material interpretation of man (and the whole universe, for that matter) is incomplete and faced with difficulties that are insurmountable. Pope John Paul has correctly said:

“Science can purify religion from error and superstition. Religion can purify science from idolatry and false absolutes.” James Reston, Galileo, A Life, HarperCollins, NY, 1994, p 461.

With this perspective, thus, we see a growing realization of the importance of a dialogue between science and religion at the highest religious and scientific levels. There are clear indications that the process will go on and the mutual cooperation between science and religion will strengthen with the passage of time and both will jointly take part in the construction of a better world for not only the human beings but for all creatures. On the whole, science and religion are two separate disciplines but they have very important overlapping areas where they severely influence each other. From cosmology to medicine there are numerous subjects on which both science and religion want to say something. On their common subjects, sometimes science and religion are in full conformity but sometimes they have diverging standpoints. The interrelationship of science and religion has promoted enlightenment and rational thinking as well as a greater awareness of ethical and social realm of human society. Science-Religion dialogue is primarily concerned with these areas. Although the interface between science and religion may vary from religion to religion and so do their responses to it, yet there is a lot common among various religious traditions of the world.

Historically speaking, science certainly had played a great role to liberate human beings form superstitions and fallacious beliefs. Awareness on the subjects common between science and religion does promote open-mindedness, and enlightenment in the society and science has played commendable role in broadening man’s canvas of mind and the scope of thinking. It is science that has gradually revolutionized our worldview and has elevated us from the ‘flat-earth-on-water’ concept of the world to that of a universe consisting of billions of galaxies with each galaxy having billions of stars. It is science that has told us that the earth is not merely six thousand years old. It has taught us how it rains; what is the cause of lightening and thunder in the clouds; what the causes of various mental and physical diseases are, and how they can be treated.

In some parts of the world, however, the process of change is very slow. Sometimes, it seems, as if we are still living in the medieval times. The religion has almost lost its real identity – its spiritual and social character, whereas social evils, superstitions and prejudices of all types have taken over the entire society. Exploitation in the name of religion and spirituality is rampant. Islam which is, with respect to its inner reality, a simple and logical way of life is at present virtually dominated by purposeless rituals. Selfishness, materialism, lust for worldly gains, have deprived man of the pleasure that comes from sacrifice, and sharing ones joys with the others.

The interrelationship of science and religion, if seriously explored and emphasized, can immensely contribute to promote enlightenment and moderation in the society and to liberate it from prejudice, narrow-mindedness and ignorance. Science and religion both should teach people rationalism, humanism, tolerance, respect of diversity and plurality as well as love and care not only for humanity but for all creatures.