Ever since my childhood days, I have been listening to the tussle between religion and science. I still remember one of my teachers in college saying, “Science is the antithesis of religion.” Let us first try to understand what religion is and what science is, and what exactly is the difference between the two.
Religion may very well be considered a body of moral code, principles, rules, and regulations trying to guide man along the righteous path. It is seen that prophets and religious reformers have appeared at different times and places around the globe to bring about reforms in the prevailing society so that the ills and disorder could be rectified. They spread the message of God, and what they taught and talked about God were codified in religious books by their respective followers in later times. On the basis of their preaching and teaching, religions have come up.
Now the question may arise as to whether religion and what the religious reformers say are logical and based on reason. While considering the same, we must take into account the conditions prevailing in the society at that time, hearsay, traditions, the intentions of the religious reformers, and the available technical know-how. We can very well see that almost all the religions speak about the origin of the universe, the solar system, the creation of man, the shape of the earth, etc., in their own way. It is not that these are mere speculations and have no validity. For this, they have taken the help of hearsay, traditions, and the available technology. There may not be evidence to prove what has been said and mentioned. But do we not get information about things from the holy books and scriptures?
Talking about science, it may very well be called a systematized body of knowledge. The process is almost the same. Just like the prophets and religious reformers, the scientists have also appeared in different times and places and come out with theories. Copernicus and Galileo put forth their theories regarding the earth and the solar system. Newton and Einstein placed before us the theories of gravitation and relativity, respectively. Charles Darwin propounded the theory of the origin of species. All these scientists revolutionized the thought process and brought about changes in the world of science. They did it with empirical evidence and logic. But we are not entirely correct when we say that religion does not take logic and reason into account. The religious reformers were not scientists. They said what they thought to be right, with more emphasis on faith than on evidence. They and their followers relied on hearsay, traditions, and the available technology. We must not forget that the Hubble telescope was not there when it was said that the earth is flat and at the center of the solar system. Nor were space agencies working around the clock to provide feedback to the scriptures and holy books.
Now let us consider the following points to bring out the differences and affinities, if any, between religion and science:
- Are what religion and scriptures speak about mere speculations?
Religion and its related scriptures speak about many things regarding the creation and destruction of the universe and the creation of man, animals, trees, and plants. There may be exaggerations and interpretations, but it is not imperative to reject these outright as mere speculations. As far as Hindu mythology is concerned, the Vedas and the Puranas have dealt with topics exhaustively, which have been taken up by science later. While doing so, religion and scriptures have taken into consideration hearsay, traditions, and the available technology. Today, science has proven that the moon causes the solar eclipse, and the earth causes the lunar eclipse. Ancient Indian astronomers, by way of their own calculations, have talked about two shadow planets or ‘Chhaya Grahas’ Rahu and Ketu causing the eclipses. In the ancient world, as science had not developed much, people were afraid of the two events and ascribed them to divine prowess. Pathani Samanta, an Odia, could study the movement of the stars and planets with the help of simple bamboo sticks, and the ‘Odia Panjika’ has been based on his astronomical calculations. It is said that many scientists have been inspired by the ‘Vedic Siddhanta’ in their scientific research. Science has always been present in all ages, with gradual improvement. Years back, Pluto was considered to be a planet, which has been refuted in later times. So it is not at all surprising when scientific research has sidelined the concept of Rahu and Ketu. There is always room for improvement. So what religion and the scriptures have said are not mere speculations. Rather, they have been a source of inspiration for further research.
- Are what religion and science say permanent?
What religion and science say may be subject to change. Religion has done its job, and the holy books and scriptures have enshrined the tenets of religion. Since people have a great deal of respect for religion and the holy books, they can hardly object to its validity and authenticity. But science has always come out with new theories. When Galileo rejected the theory of the earth being at the center of the solar system, it raised a hue and cry. But people have ultimately accepted it. We have already discussed the status of Pluto in the solar system. New concepts like the multiverse, dark energy, and others are coming to the fore. Black holes have diverted our attention from the law of gravity. In case science improves upon what religion has said, it should not raise any objections. So what religion and science say are not permanent and may be subject to change.
- Do not religion and science aim at the same goal?
Both religion and science aim at a goal, and the goal is almost the same. Religion aims at coming closer to God and guiding man along a moral and righteous path. It has also tried to fathom the mysteries of the universe, though in its own way. On the other hand, science does not try to come closer to God. Rather, it feels diffident to accept the presence and supremacy of God. But it has always been on the lookout for the mysteries of the universe. Both religion and science aiming at the same goal implies that they search for the power that is at the center of the universe. Religion openly accepts the presence of God and ascribes the origin of everything to God. It goes by its own logic when it says that how can things be created so perfectly without a creator. Lord Siva being Swayambhu comes closer to the scientific concept that the universe has come into existence on its own. In other words, nobody has created Lord Siva the way nobody has created the universe. Though science does not search for God, its endeavor has always been to locate the power that is at the center of things. Matter, energy, gravity, and dark energy have been the areas of research. It is said that so far science has explored only five percent of what is available in space. The rest ninety-five percent remains unexplored. Lord Siva symbolizes dark energy, which is now the bone of contention. In recent times, there was a hue and cry about the God Particle being present everywhere, which comes closer to the age-old Indian concept of ‘Kan kan mein Bhagwan’. Religion might have given shapes and functions to different gods, but a single supreme power being at the center of all creation is its ultimate goal. Science aims at coming closer to and ascertaining the power behind the game and scheme of things. That power is God if we look from the angle of religion.
- Is science the antithesis of religion?
Science is the antithesis of religion in the way it puts stress on evidence and does not accept the presence and supremacy of God. But the question arises as to whether religion is unscientific. Religion also embodies a set of rules and regulations to be followed by its followers. Its holy books contain principles and valuable information and tips. Learned people have written these over the years. As we know, Saint Tulsi Das has mentioned the distance between the sun and the earth covered by Hanuman, which comes closer to the distance as per calculations of modern science. Moreover, there are certain religious rituals like washing hands and feet before entering the house or a place of worship, which seem to have a scientific basis. There are many other religious and social rituals that may appear to be superstitions but actually are not. Prevalent in society since time immemorial, such rules, regulations, and rituals have been guiding society in such a nice and orderly way that it would not be wise to call them unscientific. It is true that there may be exaggerations and shortcomings here and there due to a lack of advanced technology. But it would not be wise to call science the antithesis of religion completely just because the methodology of both is different from each other.
- Can not science and religion work together?
This would be the most important point to ponder. It is said that certain scientists are religious-minded and have a great deal of faith in God. Newton, Darwin, and Einstein are believed to be theists. Science may be a systematized body of knowledge, but that does not mean that it will have no respect for other disciplines of knowledge. Religion does not underestimate the power of man and asks him to lead a moral and righteous life so that he can achieve wonders. Lord Krishna in the Gita has put emphasis on Karma. Just because science does not believe in God, it does not mean that it is poles apart from religion. Does religion ever forbid a man from becoming a scientist? Both religion and science can have respect for each other, and scientists should move forward with faith in God. Just as the devotee is always on the lookout for God, so also is science on the lookout for things unknown. The scientist should keep in mind that the power that he is working on is God in the parlance of religion.
(The views expressed are the writer’s own)
Mr. Prafulla Kumar Majhi,
Retired Asst. Director, A. I. R, is an eminent Scholar and freelance writer in English & Odia. His areas of interests are sociocultural, economic, literary, historical and analytical studies and writings.
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