A Sweet Balance Between Science
and Religion - Dr TN Chugh
SIRSA NEWS
10 February,
2017
Pictures and Videos: GS
Mann
A
Sweet Balance Between
Science and Religion
Religion is a system of
divine belief, broadly concerned with ethical teachings, belief, spiritual
practices and their application to everyday human activities and
interpretations of different natural phenomena. There are many religions in the
whole world, but each religion has the virtuous qualities of sublime devotion
to the Supernatural Master. The followers claim about existence of soul and
God, which are metaphysical, philosophical and ontological powers. It also
relates to advanced state of humanity with great moral values and spiritual
emancipation. The practice of religion generally includes commemoration of
Divine actions under the guidance of saints (spiritual guide) through sermons,
initiation, meditation, sacrifices, public or social services and other aspects
of human culture. Most religions have specific symbols, traditions (festivals,
music, art, dance, marriages, funeral or burring etc.) and pious methodologies
to explain about meaning and origin of life or the universe. The faith in
certain religions also explains body experiences and even re-incarnations after
death.
With the passage of time,
thousand of religions the world over, but only a few have had the substance and
resilience to withstand the changing scenario. There are more than 4,200
religions on this earth, amongst which 31% people believe in Christianity and
21% in Islam. The ‘Sanatan’ Hinduism is the oldest scripted surviving religion
having about 16% followers of world population. The remaining 32% people of the
world believe in other religions like Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism, Confucianism,
Judaism, Shinto, Taoism, Zoroastrianism and many more.
Science is eminent,
systematic knowledge of the physical and material (natural) world gained
through observation, experimentation, measurement and the formation of laws.
The study provides the excellent qualities of skill, cleverness, craftiness
etc. The various fields of knowledge include the natural world as Physics
(mechanics, heat, magnetism, electricity, electronics and radiology), Chemistry
(physical, inorganic, organic, analytical and electrical), Life Science,
Astronomy, Paleontology etc.
Advancement of Scientific
Principles:
Science acknowledges
reasons, use of experiments, and evidences. Scientific ideas approved through
repeated testing become asset up to avoid known inaccuracies. The scientific
experimentations have to be highly controlled and respectable. The scientists
spend sufficient knowledge, skill and innovative talents to achieve success.
The scientific method is
a planned process of question, hypothesis, testing, data analysis, repetition
and conclusion. The scientific research
is systematic study and investigation of materials and sources in order to
establish facts so as to reach conclusion. It is a creative work to increase
knowledge of human culture and society for diverse applications. Philosophy is
the study of general and fundamental mental problems concerning matters, such
as existence, knowledge, reasons, values, language, mind etc. Hypothesis is a
limited supposition or proposed explanation of a phenomenon; a theory is
substantial explanation confirmed through repeated observations and
experimentations; Law is a universal principle that describes the fundamental
nature of the phenomena. These concepts are essential for investigations.
We must be grateful to
scientists for their appreciable contributions to reasoned understanding of
various phenomena of this universe. The present generation is getting
facilities in many fields—agriculture, business, administration, hospitals,
medicines, transport, defense, telecommunications, electricity, electronics,
architecture, computers, banking, printing, microscopes, telescopes, smart
phones, etc. Many new research projects are still in progress. The excellent
skills have been developed and the clarity of concepts promotes better
utilization of resources. The progress is saving time, physical labor and
enriching life.
Non- compromising Attitude between
Science and Religion:
Now some people
acknowledge that science and religion if not regarded as foes, these should not
be considered as good friends. These are mutually irrelevant.
1. Science tends to examine the philosophy of natural world,
whereas, religion deals with supernatural and spiritual world (hence the two
can be complementary).
2. A historical claim cannot be confirmed via scientific method
because these events are not repeatable (because we cannot go back in time).
Examples of truth also cannot be tested.
3. We all believe in logic, the existence of other minds,
experimental truth like love which are non-scientific or captured in test
tubes. Science does not believe in untested concepts and miracles.
4. Science gives us the facts connected to further research.
Religions just give us faith and opinions to address emotional, moral and
metaphysical truth. Most truths we believe are based on probability and not
certainty.
5. The religious principles make strong claims that the world
was created in six days. Whereas, scientists describe the origin of earth about
4600million years ago and the origin of life 3600 to 3900 years ago. The
various forms of living organisms originated through natural selection and
evolution. There are about 3.0 M species of plants and 1.8 M species of
animals. About ten thousand species of organisms are being discovered
every-year but religions claim the presence of total 8.4 million races.
6. The supernatural entities cannot be investigated by science.
Science brings legitimate but incomplete knowledge of the world. It has no way
of guiding ‘ought’.
7. Science is descriptive but religion is prescriptive.
8. Religion does not involve critical reflection on experiences
present in science.
9. According to Christianity, in geographical system, Earth is a
centre of universe. The sun, moon, other planets and stars revolve around
earth. The eminent scientist, Galileo, thought of heliocentric system, by which
the earth and other planets revolve around sun and all the stars were at great
distance from sun. Galileo was punished house arrest for rest of his life.
10. The universe is 13.7 billion years and
earth 4.6 billion years old. Biologists believe that first living organisms
originated as unicellular microbes about 3.6 to 3.9 billion years ago. All other
forms of life have appeared during this long period through progress of
evolution and natural selection. But according to religious concept, all
species of plants and animals were created in six days by supernatural entity.
11. Present day achievements are being
accomplished through science for advancement of society.
Positive Relations of Science and Religion:
According to Albert
Einstein,” science without religion is lame and religion without science is
blind.” This seems to be a source of endless debate between believers and
non-believers. The conflict between religious faith and scientific prospective
on evolution seems immaterial.
• The science and religion, both address the same world with
same reality. They both impact how we understand and live in our world, as both
make similar factual claim.
• Science and faith are not enemies. Both these aspects of
knowledge attempt to describe and enlighten upon the reality, sometimes in a
complementary way.
• There are many cases in which science and religion coexist
as synergetic and harmonious. The scientists of different religious faith see
no contradictions.
• The two organizations deal with different realms of human
experience but still complementary.
• Theoretical interpretations, experiences and practical
explanations are common in science and religion. Both advance in creative
imagination and describe reality.
• Religious and scientific languages show parallel effects.
• Community is neither completely scientific nor
religious. There is a third overlapping
community of interested and involved scientists, priests, clergymen, theologize
and engaged non-professionals.
• Various religious philosophies were developed by elevated
souls who had the universal vision and compassion to guide their followers to
live in harmony with each other and nature. A close scrutiny of Vedas and other
important religious literature of the world could conceive the details of
natural phenomena without access to modern technology. It is surprising to note
that they were close to the findings of the current day scientists.
• The science and religion cannot be in disharmony with one
another in the areas they overlap.
• If the Science and true Religion, having roots in widely
different cultural environment and time span, can join hands, their potentials
for human welfare will be tremendous.
Religious Power is Stronger:
Religion is as old as
angels. Many persons believe angels as gods and render their worship. However,
human community is similar to angels and Almighty God is the sole creator of
every race. Religion can only be presented through true faith (trust) and
complete submission in Divine Lord. Christians believe that religion
established its existence since the creation beyond ‘Adam’.
Religious people rely
upon supernatural magic and miracles. Our senses, memory, introspection are
generally trustworthy (but a few may develop errors). Religion sincerely deals
with emotions, intimacy, meanings and destiny. It requires submitting all our
mental facilities to be truly understood.
Religion also provided
social legitimating for science throughout history by demonstrating how
scientific particles can be religiously useful. More than 75% scientists
believe that religions convey important truth. The conflicts result in seriousness
of culture, needless sufferings and can generate loss of life. Whatever, the
scientist may become or do they reach, science without character is most
threatening and sati net. Growth in religious thinking leads to changes for the
better.
Humanity to establish Positive
Relations:
Science studies how the
heavens go and religion how to get to heaven. This intellect examines the
conscious matter of ultimate meaning. Religion is a particular subject matter
of faith and worship with great devotion. It is culture system of behavior that
practices world views, sacred text, holy places, ethics and social
organizations with gratitude for humanity. Anthropologists explain it as order
of existence. The debates are eventually settled by evidence, dialogues and
consultations. Certain super-eminent qualities of faith, hope, love, truth,
devotion, beauty, goodness, regular delight and devotion do not live in the
territory of science.
The scientists tend to
become assured and extend voluntary service following virtuous principles of
humanity without much desires or personal benefits. The visualization of
ultimate, supreme and divine power can be achieved through initiation and
guidelines of spiritual saint. Their spirit gets blessed and awarded with peace
and contentment. They acquire strong will power and emancipation of soul to
prepare for salvation.
Contributed by: Dr. Triloki Nath Chugh.
Co-ordinator,
Shah Satnam Ji Educational Institutions, Dera Sacha Sauda, Sirsa (Haryana,
India ).
The writer is an
eminent former Professor of Zoology; he has more than 3 decades of teaching
experience in various colleges of KUK and is presently Co-ordinator, Shah
Satnam Ji Educational Institutions, DSS, Sirsa. He can be reached on his Mobile
No:+91-94160 48789 and email: trilokichugh@gmail.com . Dr
Chugh has published many Zoology research papers; Guided several M.Phil
students for research; M.Sc. Secured 2nd Position BITS PILANI
1968; Gold Medalist in French Diploma 1981 KUK; Prinicipal at SSS Boys College
for 7 years.
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