People who think that religion and science can't co-exist are ignorant beyond belief, amirite?

That's why islam rules!

by Anonymous 12 years ago

... Whut?

by Anonymous 12 years ago

I really don't know :D

by Anonymous 12 years ago

How so? How is a proven, logical fact supposed to co-exist with unproven theories, that change constantly as people try to force them to fit into their puzzle of why religion is right.

by Anonymous 12 years ago

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Can_science_and_religion_coexist#

by Anonymous 12 years ago

Wiki Answers? Seriously? That's your source?

by Anonymous 12 years ago

What's wrong with that? He's providing an answer to Anon's question. Wiki Answers is just the site where that opinion was posted.

by Anonymous 12 years ago

Normally, sources are articles that contain factual information used to back up your stated opinion. If it's just another opinion by an unknown person, the source doesn't contribute much to your argument.

by Anonymous 12 years ago

But this is a question of opinion and ideas, and therefore, there isn't going to be a specific webpage that gives a factual explanation of it.

by Anonymous 12 years ago

If it's opinions and ideas then it's not SCIENCE. Religion is nothing but opinions and ideas, science is FACT.

by Anonymous 12 years ago

Nobody ever said that religion IS science, just that they can coexist. And I'm not getting involved in a religious argument online, they're long-winded and usually don't amount to anything. Wait... My comment was about the fact that a WikiAnswers article could be used in this conversation...

by Anonymous 12 years ago

My reason for thinking science and religion can co-exist? No. But instead of writing a paragraph response, which I've done a hundred times on this site, I decided I could find what I wanted to say on the Internet and post it to save time.

by Anonymous 12 years ago

Isn't science also full of unproven theories that change constantly?

by Anonymous 12 years ago

At least it has quite a few proven facts though, can't really say the same about religion...

by Anonymous 12 years ago

It is a fundamental principle of science that nothing can be "proven" only disproven. Science has a massive amount of evidence supporting its theories, but that doesn't make them fact.

by Anonymous 12 years ago

Yes, because obviously gravity is just a theory, along with the fact that the planets revolve around the sun, and fossils are just toys, not pieces of history.

by Anonymous 12 years ago

Can you prove gravity exists? Can you prove that indentations in rocks are not just random scratching from rocks colliding? The fact is that all of science is based on observation or speculation. Can you tell me why gravity couldn't cease to exist tomorrow with any reason other than by pointing out that gravity always has existed? I am not saying to distrust these things; I am merely pointing out that to call anything in science "proven" is fallacy.

by Anonymous 12 years ago

lol okay. Let's say you don't exist then, not even now. So nothing you say is relevant.

by Anonymous 12 years ago

Because religion isn't about factual things. It's about a spiritual revival. No one with a brain tries to say that God is real using facts. It's a spiritual thing.

by Anonymous 12 years ago

This type of comment has been made before, and it is incredibly ignorant. A religious "theory" is entirely different from a scientific theory.

by Anonymous 12 years ago

explain.

by Anonymous 12 years ago

There are very specific parameters in order for something to be accepted as a scientific theory. It must be supported by many strands of evidence, including repeated and varied experimentation. A religious theory is a general term people tack on to an idea. "Unproven theory" doesn't really make sense, because technically, everything in science is unproven. In the most meticulous sense of the word, it's impossible to 'prove' anything. You can only eliminate or disprove all other reasonable possibilities. I'm a bit off-track, but my point is that people throw around words like 'proof' and 'theory' without really knowing what they mean, which is somewhat irksome to me. Not every guess/observation a scientist makes is considered a theory; only a minute percentage of hypotheses are eventually accepted as theories. It's a very specific term that is -almost- as close to fact as we can get.

by Anonymous 12 years ago

I see what you're saying. The anon above me originally called them religious theories. I was just pointing out that there aren't many proven things in science because, as you said, nothing can be proven.

by Anonymous 12 years ago

Except religion is a whole lot more than "unproven theories". Ironically, exploring unproven theories is the foundation of scientific progress.

by Anonymous 12 years ago

Ironically, science explores "Unproven" theories because there is shown knowledge of an event occurring, they just don't know how. We knew the sun existed but we didn't know how it affected our planet, so we explored "Unproven" theories in order to obtain it. Yet nothing science does is anywhere near the concept of ridiculousness in "unproven" things as religion does. And religion is nothing more than people using it in order to feel good about themselves. Science EXPLAINS things, religion does nothing but create that "feel good" feeling, that you can obtain ANYWHERE, just by self reflection, without needing a "god"

by Anonymous 12 years ago

I think you have a very shallow understanding of religion and god if you think it's only purpose is feeling good. I'm also not sure why you think all religious ideas and beliefs are ridiculous.

by Anonymous 12 years ago

Because they're not real. Why do we let kids believe in santa claus? To feel good about themselves because they were "good children " all year long.

by Anonymous 12 years ago

What other purpose is there? You feel good about knowing this life doesnt end with death. And it also uses fear to keep you in line,c but ultimately people use religion so that they feel all the bad in the world isnt just because humanity is bad in general and shit happens, but bc its gods will. And so they know their life isnt "meaningless", that they will still live on for eternity. what other reason is there? its all selfish purposes.

by Anonymous 12 years ago

I see how they can coexist, but I also understand why many people think they can't.

by Anonymous 12 years ago

I'm an atheist, but I believe that they can coexist for this reason: "TIME: Dr. Collins, you believe that science is compatible with Christian faith. COLLINS: Yes. God's existence is either true or not. But calling it a scientific question implies that the tools of science can provide the answer. From my perspective, God cannot be completely contained within nature, and therefore God's existence is outside of science's ability to really weigh in." Full debate between Francis Collins and Richard Dawkins here, if anyone cares: http://ti.me/QCqOp

by Anonymous 12 years ago

Thanks for the link. That was interesting.

by Anonymous 12 years ago

I'm pretty sure that most people who think that they can't are only thinking of Christianity and disregarding all other religions.

by Anonymous 12 years ago

Science can coexist with Christianity as well.

by Anonymous 12 years ago

I agree, but Christianity is the only religion considered usually. Then because they disagree with it they bash all religion as a whole as nonsense.

by Anonymous 12 years ago

Science can't co-exist with any religions.

by Anonymous 12 years ago

What a completely narrow minded thing to say. Religion is open for interpretation. Science can help to strip away superstition from religion, which many religious people embrace. Religion is so much more than just "an imaginary man in the sky." People define "god" in many different ways, some see the very scientific theories/principles you defend as one and the same. Religion at heart helps people to find peace and live better lives, which they can do while simultaneously embracing science to explain the world around them. Maybe you should read up on all different religions before you make a statement like that.

by Anonymous 12 years ago

If you want to use religion to find peace, then admit that you are using placebo effects to find happiness. Don't try to say it's real and just as factual as science is, when it is so clearly not.

by Anonymous 12 years ago

It's not anymore of a placebo using religion to help you find peace than it is using school to help you find knowledge. You're still learning, it's just a different lesson but the lessons are still real.

by Anonymous 12 years ago

Not true at all. School helps you learn FACTS. It's the same thing as taking a sugar pill and claiming it cured your headache. Religion is just willpower and spirituality taken to extreme.

by Anonymous 12 years ago

You don't understand what religion really is. It's can be as simple as devoting your life to learning and being a good person. Taking observation of the world and people around you and learning lessons based on what you see. Sounds pretty factual to me. Seriously do yourself a favor and read up on as many religions as you can besides Christianity and you might learn something. I'm not saying you'll adhere to them but you might learn enough to realize that bashing other people's beliefs and dismissing them as nothing of importance is a really shitty thing to do. It's not just rude it's cruel. You don't have to abide by anything, but grow up.

by Anonymous 12 years ago

Did i say they weren't important? NO, i said they weren't FACTS. I don't mind people having religion, i mind them using it to claim facts, and things that aren't true. And I have researched other religions, but other religions aren't as prominent as Christianity nor have the impact it has (except for Islam). But in the country I live in, Christianity is the norm, every other religion is not so I have more experience commenting on Christianity.

by Anonymous 12 years ago

Dismissing all religion as a placebo is pretty derogatory. ESPECIALLY if the one you truly understand is Christianity. That was my original point, it doesn't matter how prominent it is, Christianity is ONE religion. There are so many more that don't rely on "superstitions." You can't dismiss the validity of religion as a whole because of the shortcomings you see in only one (albeit prominent) religion.

by Anonymous 12 years ago

Again putting words in my mouth, I have RESEARCHED all religions, including ones not well known. I just have more EXPERIENCE with debating Christianity, that is not saying I don't know anything about the other religions. They all don't have any facts stated, just a bunch of stories meant to "teach you" their supposed values. And I can dismiss the validity of religion because there are none based on facts. Because religion, as its definition, is based on faith and superstition, it is impossible to have facts with religion, which is why it's a bunch of BS. Have it if it makes you feel better, don't go around acting like it's something it's not.

by Anonymous 12 years ago

Lol I'm an atheist, I'm just not a judgmental ass. And by the way you speak of religion, I can tell you know close to nothing about it. But whatever, we've both said our piece.

by Anonymous 12 years ago

I probably know a lot more than you. I spent 10+ years studying it. What other religions do you know about? Btw I can tell by the way you speak, you know nothing of it either. And you are judgmental, you are judging right now. And you are an ass, because you are by saying such a comment. So stfu hypocrite.

by Anonymous 12 years ago

Hinduism goes a long quite a bit with science. There's proof. Adam's bridge was build by Lord Rama

by Anonymous 12 years ago

For anyone that's actually interested, there's a great book called "permission to believe" by Lawrence Kelemen. It's the closest I've seen to proof of a god.

by Anonymous 12 years ago

Unless there was a picture of a guy shaking hands with god (good luck with proving who it is) in that book, I highly doubt it hints at any existence of a god.

by Anonymous 12 years ago

Just use Morgan Freeman for God.

by Anonymous 12 years ago

It actually uses science in almost every argument. It's well researched and brings sources for everything. I'm not saying you have to believe in god at all. I just think it's incredibly ignorant for anyone to think of god as 'an imaginary friend in the sky'.

by Anonymous 12 years ago

No it's not. And it's ignorant to call people ignorant, who for all sakes and purposes, would rather believe in something they know is REAL, rather than base their entire life on the "idea" of something.

by Anonymous 12 years ago

(Anonymous):Ok so I am telling you right now that there exists more proof than you are aware of. I never said anything about wanting you to believe in anything different than what you already do. I'm just asking that you don't assume that those who believe in god are blindly following something that makes no sense.

by Anonymous 12 years ago

What more proof is there, and what do you know that I am unaware of? And why not assume they are blindly following something, if I said I believed in Zeus you would think I was being stupid too. Even though Zeus and other Greek Gods were widely believed to be true not too long ago.

by Anonymous 12 years ago

(Anonymous):This is rediculous. I don't care about what you do or don't believe in. The only thing I said is that just as I respect your beliefs, it would be nice if you would have respect for mine. If you are actually interested then read the book in my first comment. If you're not interested, I have no interest in discussing it with you. I don't need you to be interested. It was just an offer.

by Anonymous 12 years ago

I have respect for BELIEFS. I dont have respect for people trying to claim they are any more than what they are. Which EVERY religious person does, i dont care what religion you are. You all think you are right WITHOUT any idiom of factual evidence. The day the world stops making laws, and killing people based off FICTIONAL BELIEFS, is the day I stop speaking out against it.

by Anonymous 12 years ago

There is no "proof" of god, but there is some logic and reason behind the concept. The closest thing to "proof" of god I know of is this thing this philosopher Thomas Aquinas wrote in the middle ages. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quinque_viae

by Anonymous 12 years ago

"Are science and faith compatible? No, they are two opposite methods of forming answers. Science provides answers based on a critical and honest examination of evidence. Faith provides answers based on personal desires and opinions with a disregard of the evidence. If evidence supports a claim there is no need for faith."

by Anonymous 12 years ago

Best answer so far.

by Anonymous 12 years ago

Faith and Science seek to explain entirely different things. Science seeks to explain what goes on in the world physically. Faith explores things like love, morality, souls, spirits, etc. Of course, the common objection is creation. Who is to say that god could not have guided the process of evolution? In addition, I know many religious people who are also scientists. Obviously they have found a way to reconcile science with their faith. (also, as a side note, where is your quote from?)

by Anonymous 12 years ago

The OP addressed religion and science, not faith and science. A religion doesn't need to conflict with scientific evidence at all. Many religions don't even address scientific questions at all. If you claim the only way you can know anything is by critical and honest examination of evidence, you can't really know anything about philosophy, politics, fields of economics, morality, or a lot of other things in addition to religion. In politics for example, the cold-hard evidence can only take you so far. Most political theory is developed by ideas, opinions, a feeling of what's right, societal expectations, intuition, ect. There are no ultimate political fact that we can discover by studying evidence like we can with science. If we needed indisputable evidence in order to believe in something we wouldn't be able to have subjective political beliefs. I don't think it's fair to dismiss all religious philosophy ever because it's not run by the scientific method.

by Anonymous 12 years ago

Science and religion fit together as well as two different religions fit together. It takes tolerance from both sides.

by Anonymous 12 years ago

I am tolerant of religion. Just like I am tolerant of parents telling their children santa claus is real. What I am NOT tolerant of is people lying, and incorporating their lies into the government. They lie, and say that God is just as factual as science. Oh yea, prove it. At least science has things that we can observe happen. If you can't show ANYTHING to either DISPROVE or PROVE, then you have nothing! Science has disproven things, and they are more closer to the answers than Christianity or any other religion will ever be.

by Anonymous 12 years ago

Some people see science, and say that because it explains so much there can't be any miracles, but when I see science I find the fact that it explains so much a miracle in itself. It's all a matter of perspective.

by Anonymous 12 years ago

If you think science is a miracle, then you are being ignorant.

by Anonymous 12 years ago

If you can't see how I could view the beauty and simplicity of science as a miracle, then you are being ignorant.

by Anonymous 12 years ago

Science is about gathering evidence and then drawing a conclusion from it. Religion is about drawing a conclusion and then making evidence fit it. Religion does not follow the scientific method (have a hypothesis, set out to prove it under conditions, record it, try to replicate it, get outside sources, etc), so it is nothing to do with science. I'm sure you can find more on the scientific method with the magic of Google! *tadaaa* That said, just because religion and science contradict each other, it doesn't mean their "followers" have to. Religious and scientific PEOPLE can most definitely co-exist, and while it may eventually at some point cause a bit of hippocrisy, a person can happily consider themselves both. As long as you're respectful of each other's beliefs, I see no reason the two can't get along.

by Anonymous 12 years ago

Politics doesn't work by the scientific method. There are no ultimate political truths you can discover in a lab. You can't prove, record, or replicate your political beliefs. They are just things you develop based on personal reflection, experience, and reason. So I'd argue politics conflicts with science just as much as religion.

by Anonymous 12 years ago

whos to say god didnt put all scientific events into motion? he could have created evolution and cells and elements. you never know man.

by Anonymous 12 years ago

whos to say god didnt put all scientific events into motion? he could have created evolution and cells and elements. you never know man.

by Anonymous 12 years ago