Both Can Sustain and Enhance Life

An alliance between science and religion is good for both religion and science as well as for quality education, preservation of the earth, personal health, global health, and so much more. Indeed, any schism between science and religion has been the product of misunderstanding and/or contrived competition.

The proper relationship between science and religion is one of mutual respect, support, and cooperation. Science can be the source of discoveries that answer many of the prayers voiced by religious adherents through the years. However, both science and religion are hurt when they are confused with each other or when one interferes with the other. Though religion has nothing to fear from science, religious beliefs are often used to construct roadblocks to scientific advancement—an irresponsible act on the part of religion, a disservice to science and all who can benefit from it. Similarly, science has no need to disparage or seek to destroy religion.

The Interfaith Alliance Foundation, of which I serve as president, in cooperation with Americans United for Separation of Church and State, is currently sponsoring an initiative called First Freedom First—an initiative designed to raise public awareness about the connection between protecting religious liberty—our first freedom—and assuring a proper relationship between religion and a myriad of values, including sound science.

As a matter of public policy, science and research should not be influenced by any set of religious beliefs. Please know that I write these words as a person profoundly appreciative of faith. More than a century of scientific research confirming that life on earth has evolved over billions of years in no way diminishes my beliefs about God, creation, and humankind. Affirming God as creator does not require discounting evolution.

Public schools play a critical role in encouraging good science without debunking religion. Houses of worship can affirm religious beliefs without speaking negatively of science.

Recently, when Judge John E. Jones ruled in the Dover, Pennsylvania case that “Intelligent Design”—creationism in sheep’s clothing—must not be injected into public school science classrooms, it was an important victory for sound science, academic integrity, and religious freedom. As the judge confirmed, the Constitution prohibits public institutions from favoring one religion over others or religion in general over non-religious beliefs. Such an affirmation serves to enhance democracy and to protect religion, both goals of maintaining religious freedom.

As life on earth and the health of the planet hang in the balance, religious leaders and experts in science should join hands to do everything possible to halt destruction and preserve creation. An alliance between sound science and religion is a desirable goal, but mutual respect between the two that allows each to make its important contributions to society is a necessity.

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Posted by: Chadwick Brock | November 22, 2007 1:36 PM
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I've looked at "religion" from a different perspective, ever since the 60's & 70's, when we saw so graphically raw on TV, video of the Vietnam War.

Buddhist Monks setting themselves on fire, a child running screaming down the road, her clothes burnt off by Agent Orange, our fellow Baby Boomers coming back from Vietnam with haunted eyes, filled with pain.

These horrors contrasted so starkly with the cosmic, awesome beauty of Planet Earth seen from Space, as around the Globe, every human with access to a TV set watched the First Human to set foot on the MOON.

The Astronaut quoted the beautiful words of the Bible, of Genesis. Science & religion coming together was inspiring, not threatening.

But there's been a "backlash" ever since, an attack on Science by "fundamentalists" who apparently just can't stomach even the IDEA that they we are ALL RELATED to each other, all part of the HUMAN Race.

That we're all INTER-CONNECTED members of the SAME Tribe, living IN "Heaven", on a spinning ball we call "Earth". "SPACESHIP EARTH"

We're really at "Childhood's End", with our Weapons of War developed to the point where our own Technology may well wipe us out, ALL of us.

The concept of "Spaceship Earth", is my "religious" perspective. I believe that our
survival depends on peaceful cooperation, on DIPLOMACY & conflict resolution. Most of all, on saying "NO!", "HELL, NO!", to those who thirst for yet MORE War.

Our President is once again talking about War, this time with Iran. It is up to us, as Christians, Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, whatever, to speak up & say, "NO, Mr. President!"

To speak up & counter the extremist voices who are promoting the SUICIDAL "End Times" religious ideas, like the "Left Behind" books' scenario.

To speak up & counter those in "Talk Radio" News & on TV, who are spreading messages of Hate.

To spread Jesus' message of PEACE on Earth!

To "be the change we wish to see in the World".

Posted by: AtomicWarBaby | October 26, 2007 6:22 AM
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Actually, there's some science IN your religion,
here and there, and as much as we believe in
scientific principles, they, too, could in a way
be construed to be a religion, a belief system
of their own. Science gives a good way to
explain to ourselves and the world the truth of
what is observed, the measurement of various things, religion is I guess kind of a science
of the heart, what we believe to be moral and/or
immoral, good and bad, right and wrong, divine or evil, a differentiation that provides guidance for
how people should live their lives etc.

But, I'm a heathen, I think religion, especially
and specifically organized religion, is a
mechanism for trying to assert political control
and get money out of the public. I like the
sound of that new atheists' club, sounds like the
right deal for me...

Welton Gaddy

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