Religion and Science - Essay Sample

There has always been a longstanding debate between science and religion. Since ancient Greek up to this age, there still exists a debate on the importance of science and religion. Ancient Greeks often worked on separating the two concepts, but there are those among them who viewed the two to need each other (Armstrong, 2009). Some often try to identify whether the two concepts can work together but there lacks a particular response to the issue. In most instances, those who support religion will always be against science while those who support science will always be against the propositions of faith. Science is the study of facts, proving these facts and making discoveries. Religion, on the other hand, is a religious identification and sense of belonging or beliefs in the existence of a supernatural being.

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It is, however, clear that science alone is not sufficient for living a good and fulfilled life. It is a subject that has been in existence for the longest time and has provided information and answers to many issues that affect society. However, science does not provide inner satisfaction. It is one that is built on falsehood and yearns for the praise of man (Augustine, n.d.). It only deals with facts and matters that affect the individual from the outside. However, what about the inner person, that person who does not need facts but needs comfort, support, hope and a feeling of satisfaction. Science will not provide this. Yes, the facts will be proven and help the person physically including finding the cause of diseases like cancer and even identifying a cure. It remains that the individual experiencing the pain will need comfort and support to make it through the pain.

It is where religion comes in even after all the facts are laid out on the table the person needs to feel a sense of love and encouragement. Religion provides a point of hope. Religion knows no condemnation for those who do not believe in God but accepts everyone and welcome them wholeheartedly (Augustine, n.d.). It proposes the belief in a supernatural being where an individual believes that the supernatural being is in control of everything and will help deal with any difficult situation one is going through. Denis McNamara in his description of St. Patricks Cathedral describes how the Christianity as a religion needs to be. The architecture of the church may have been because of a particular science, but he uses various parts of the cathedral to describe judgment and the afterlife for a Christian. Dennis helps people get a picture of a life that has no pain and suffering which every individual in the world longs for (wordonfirevideo2, 2010). It acts as a form of comfort for a person knowing that there is a God who is in control and when all things are stuck people often leave it all to God because they believe He is powerful enough to solve even what science cannot.

Therefore, religion acts as a coping mechanism for issues that are stressful in ones life which science does not. Science provides facts and shows the individual the gravity of the problem he or she is experiencing. There is, however, no comfort and hope in that. When one believes in a miracle and expects that God will do the unimaginable, he or she finds the strength to face issues in life that may otherwise seem difficult. In science, it is every person for themselves. There is no unity and the belief in a common goal. Scientists often work to prove certain points in life and with or without the support of other individuals or the society; they come up with their discoveries. Religion, however, calls for unity and support for each other. There are love and friendship, and that is what one looks for as he or she turns to religion (Augustine, n.d.). It calls for love and helps for other people in time of need. It is always comforting for one to understand that there is always someone who will be there in time of need. It is a sign of hope that even in difficult moments not all is lost. It will help one to hold on even in the most difficult times. That is what religion does for people. It provides the hope for something better when everything seems lost and thus provides some form of inner healing.

Religion is, therefore, essential even for those who do not believe in anything supernatural. In most cases, those who lack the belief in the supernatural isolate themselves from society while they work on proving that there is no afterlife or there is no God. They lack the peace and understanding that someone is working behind the scenes for their benefit and fulfillment in life. In such instances, their lives are often unhappy and unfulfilling. However, religion offers hope for such individuals. They will get a purpose in life because many religions give purpose and meaning to ones life. It provides the hope that when life on earth is done, there is something better that God has in place. There is the world that knows no trouble or pain, and that is a comfort worth hoping for rather than nothing. Therefore, religion offers everything science cannot. Though it is essential in the current world, it cannot survive without the dictates of religion.

References

ADDIN ZOTERO_BIBL {"custom":[]} CSL_BIBLIOGRAPHY Armstrong, K. (2009). Can Science and Faith Just Get Along? - Video. Retrieved from http://bigthink.com/videos/can-science-and-faith-just-get-along

Augustine. (n.d.). Confessions (trans. Pusey). Retrieved February 14, 2017, from http://faculty.georgetown.edu/jod/Englishconfessions.html

wordonfirevideo2. (2010). Denis McNamara discusses Chartres Cathedral. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VTwCaQwOVuk