Science and religion

We need to understand the differences between science and religion to see how those two areas can work perfectly together in a complementary way.

   In brief, science and religion relate to each other as:

   1. Objectivity to subjectivity: Science has objectivity as an ideal: scientific claims, methods, and results should not be influenced by particular perspectives or interests. Religion refers to subjective reality and intersubjective realities. Some people believe that nature or cosmos as observed by science is all there is. However, they should not forget the observing mind.

   2. Natural phenomena to meaning: Science deals exclusively with natural phenomena, preferably measurable, to test hypotheses and theories. But humans ask ultimate questions about meaning, purpose, values, and God – questions that are outside the scope of science because they do not belong to the observable natural world.

   3. Facts to truths: Scientific observation of natural phenomena may lead to facts, and the quest for meaning may lead to religious or philosophical truths. So, while facts are objective, fragmented, and usually transient pieces of knowledge available to everyone, truths are knowledge obtained by a subjective and holistic interpretation of facts – often referred to as wisdom.

   4. Exactness to imagery: In science, definitions, measurements, and results are expected to be as accurate and precise as possible. Religious experiences use images and symbols that serve as mediating bridges between the human mind and God. Even the names of God like ‘king,’ ‘lord,’ or ‘father’ are symbols. Imagery and symbols are simply the language of faith.

   5. Control to powerlessness: Even if the scientist himself normally has a sense of humility, the very framework of science is to conquer nature and control it. On the other hand, human powerlessness is a precondition for religious belief and becomes an invitation that opens into the life of God.

   6. Neutrality to morality: The scientific method is considered neutral to moral values and other values, whereas religion is a guiding force as to morality, that is, what is considered right and wrong, good or bad. While science aims to establish an objective, systematic knowledge of what is, particularly the facts about the observable world, science finds its limits in what should be.