SCIENCE vs RELIGION
In the past religion ruled supreme over man’s life. But later, science emerged on the scene. Slowly but surely, science became a part of man in all walks of life. It developed through observation and experience. Man began to take an interest in experiments and thus Experimental or Empirical Science was developed. Gradually, it became a part of his nature to make more and more research and probe deeper and deeper into various objects and aspects of nature. Religion evolved itself from magic and wonder at various phenomena of nature. The man was surprised at the beauty of the sun, the moon, the stars, the oceans, the lakes, the mountains, the dawn, fire, trees, etc., and began to worship these objects. In many cases, he was afraid of what Tennyson has characterised nature “red in tooth and claw” and began to worship several things and objects concerning this aspect, for example, snakes, the sun, the clouds, etc. He also began to worship certain useful objects like the cow, the trees, etc. Later magic became a part of religion. Man began to probe his own inner self and he felt there was a soul in his body. Gradually, he arrived at the conclusion that there was a Super-soul which he termed as “God.” Emerson uses the word “over-soul” for this super-soul.
Religion having reached a particular stage, demanded unflinching faith. At first the essence of religion was spiritualism. Later, there developed a sort of regimentation. The emergence of different religions, although meant to serve mankind, actually divided it and people of different religions began to fight with each other, giving the name “holy war” to such fights.
Science also developed slowly. But in the modern age, it is taking long strides. There was a time when people believed that the earth was flat and the sun revolved around the earth. The myth has long been broken. Science believes in concrete truth and not just in assumption.
Religion believes that truth is absolute. But science believes that it is only relative. According to the system of science, today’s truth can become an untruth tomorrow. One glaring example is the Newton’s laws. These were believed to be absolute and inviolable until Einstein’s Theory of Relativity proved them wrong.
There are certainly some common things in science and religion. Both want the welfare of mankind. Only their ways and methods are different. Then both of them claim to have truth as their basis. Religion wants that the truth, it proclaims should be believed in with a blind faith. Science says that it should be studied, probed, tested and only then relied upon. If during research, some new truth or new aspect of ruth emerges, science is ready to accept it. But religion is not ready for research, experiment and change in whatever has already been accepted or revealed.
Science has given innumerable comforts and benefits. It has discovered and invented numerous gadgets, means and methods to make life rich, healthy, cheerful, and long. But it has also invented means of mass destruction which can annihilate all life on earth. Thus science is ruthless in its working
Religion believes in peace. It has its relationship with an inner part of human life. Religion teaches us compassion, mercy, sympathy, love, goodwill, cooperation, courtesy, generosity, sacrifice, renunciation, etc. Science makes us materialistic, selfish, egoistic, flamboyant, cruel and self- centred.
Thus, although science is necessary for material advancement and physical comforts, religion is necessary for peace of mind and an ideal and ethical way of life. Religion is, in this way, more the concern of man on an individual basis, but the effect of science is widespread and far-reaching. Many people today don’t believe in God or religion. But science and religion are not antagonistic to each other. They are both necessary for man for his outer and inner self respectively.
