Science vs. Religion

I’m a biology teacher, and regularly teach about and discuss evolution in the classroom. This frequently gives rise to religious discussions and/or arguments. I have had students tell me, “I don’t believe in evolution. I believe in the Bible.” For them, belief in one precludes belief in the other. This is not dissimilar to scientists who portray religion as little more than superstition, and hold that science and religion are mutually exclusive. If you believe in one, must you automatically disbelieve the other? Is it possible to believe in both?

As much as I dislike sports analogies, let’s think, for the moment, of the differences between science and religion as being similar to the differences between baseball and football. These are two very different games. They have different rules. They place different demands upon the players, and, with a few notable exceptions, individuals who are good enough to play professionally in one do not play professionally in the other.

At the same time, there is no shortage of people who are fans of both. Many individuals are able to happily cheer for both their favorite baseball and football teams, even when the two seasons briefly overlap. Attending a game in one, even being a season ticket holder, does not force you to renounce going to games of the other.

Similarly, science and religion are two very different games, with very different rules. One is based upon belief. The other is based upon doubt. One demands constant revision and documented, reproducible evidence. The other relies upon sacred texts and/or abstract epiphanies of the individual. Again, with a few notable exceptions, individuals who are good enough to play professionally in one do not play professionally in the other.

That does not mean, however, that there are not individuals who are fans of both. Each has its own set of rules, and each provides something different to the individual and to society. Contrary to the pronouncements of authorities in both, they are not mutually exclusive, nor are they, or should they be, in competition with each other. Studying and striving to understand the laws that allow the universe to function does not diminish the wonder of creation. Studying and striving to understand creation and our role within it does not diminish the capacity of the mind. In the words of Einstein, "Science without religion is lame. Religion without science is blind."