Is it okay to compare and contrast science and religion?

[Sushan Ekanayake]

I think science backs religion. There have been prominent scientists who have been religious believers. The big bang might coincide with the moment when God created the world. I read a book about this: The Biblical Clock.

Biblical clock tries to compare the biblical stories with the proven scientific facts. Anyone can say that those are riddles and the true meaning is something else, and that something else is proven by science. But it is just another book that tries to compare science and religion and give a scientific backing to the religion. But in that book also, only the favourable gospels have been discussed. That is because if an entire comparison is attempted, many things will be disproved, and that won't be good

[Sushan Ekanayake]

The fact that religion is based on some historical events that we assume happened, I do not find using science to prove the existence of religion a bad thing.

Science can be used in either way, to prove or disprove religious teachings. The proving part will be appealing but the disproving part won't be so for the devouts. So the best option is leaving the two parties apart

[Sushan Ekanayake]

Religion is faith, science is data. Both help us understand ourselves better. Both guide us in their own way. Religion may not always support science but in instances when we find scientific evidence in religious beliefs our trust gets a boost. Both religion and science have been evolving over time. But a direct comparison is unfair.

That is quite true. Both religion and science are helpful for mankind. Yet they do not go hand in hand in many occasions. We should be wise to apply the relevant thing (either science or religion) for the occasion. But a comparison between these two is unfair as well as unnecessary

[Iconicsmt]

I think it’s necessary to compare science and religion. I personally don’t believe that the debate between science and religion is equivocal to theory vs. belief, at least not in the way it’s been suggested by another poster. It’s just as valid to state that religion is the real theorem, while many scientific ideas can be proven as fact without the simple reliance of blind faith. Then again, one could also argue that God created all divisions of science and the scientists who study them find what they find in compliance with God’s will.

[Sushan Ekanayake]

Science is a theory, and religion is a belief and faith which can't be proved. Science is a vision from the worldly perspective and defines the happenings around us. On the contrary, religion is something which cant be seen and is in our heart. But, these two can be merged with the belief that science is the creation of god to provide reasonings to phenomenon. So I think it can well enough be connected together and can actually support each other. Thus, i think its alright to compare science and religion.

Believing that science too is a God's creation and comparing science and religion are two different things. You can believe whatever you want but to convince the person who thinks scientifically, you need facts. So you cannot compare facts with beliefs

[Sushan Ekanayake]

I think that science and religion have spectrums of their own, so when you think about comparing and contrasting science and religion you would have to consider which subject from each your comparing, for example the belief in God or the theory of evolution. But then again, science and religion has been compared and contrasted many times before, with this comparison happening in day to day life, we see it in debates, books and in philosphy class rooms. So overall I believe that it's ok to compare and contrast science and religion though it depends on what your comparing and contrasting.

This is true. There have been many instances where science has been used to confirm or validate certain religious beliefs and historical references. In the same vein, there have also been instances where science has been used to negate certain beliefs and references. As you said, it depends on the subject. I do agree that it's ok to compare and contrast science and religion, within reason.

Science have proved as well as disproved religious beliefs. On the other hand there have been instances where religion has refused to accept scientific theories. In that case, the comparison of these two will only cause clash

[Sushan Ekanayake]

I think it is of utmost importance that we do so. Parallels between science and religion are the only key to understand things as they truly are. I firmly believe the two explain each other and are not mutually exclusive.
Although, I think drawing parallels between science and spirituality is a more effective approach than referencing religion(s).

Maybe you are correct. To understand what is the actual truth, we need either experiments or researches, which are belonged to scientific method. As far as you are open minded and willing to accept the truth, then it is okay to compare them

[AnnieOgoo]

So long as man lives, he will always ask questions, he will always seek to know more. So I don't see anything wrong with one more question. Comparison is a form of question. So whether the comparison be about God or science or haven or time, it doesn't change the fact of the subject in question.
Man cannot help but wonder and ask and try to know.

You can learn only by questioning. Questions will lead for new experiments and new knowledge. But that is applicable to subjects like science and mathematics. How can it be applied to religion, which is purely based on beliefs of the devouts which have never been experimented on or proven with evidence

First of all, questioning is not the only method of learning. There is observation and experimentation.
Secondly, why should we not question religion? Because it is religion? Because it is leans on belief? I think not. Virtually everything (as practical as they seem), is based on belief. Life itself is based on non-tangible things like hope and belief. Does that mean we shouldn't question life?
Finally, if we do not question religion, how do we choose which religion to practice? If we do not question religion, how do know which religion is 'right'?
Everything can and should be questioned. Answers would not always be forthcoming, but we can't help the questioning.
PS: Religion is not "purely based on beliefs of the devouts which have never been experimented on or proven with evidence." Religion is partly practical and partly based on belief. Faith, on the other, is PURELY based on belief. And it is by faith that we walk when we choose to practice a particular religion.

[Sushan Ekanayake]

I think it's okay to compare science and religion. It helps in understanding their similarities and difference which ultimately aids in understanding the two independently. Science and religion are more alike than we know.

Science and religion are more alike! I don't see how. What I feel is that there are many myths in the religions which are not agreeable in the scientific scope. So a comparison between these two will negate such things, which will not be very pleasant

[Sushan Ekanayake]

It is okay to compare the two since both compliment each other. Religion gives science the base since region answers the infinate questions that science has failed to answer. Science on the other hand gives meaning to events in religion which are just primitive if left unexplained by science.

If the questions that are not yet answered by science are being answered by religion, how can those answers will be scientific? There are religious things that are proved or accepted by science, but there are many more that have been rejected. So it doesn't seem a good way to complement each other

[Sushan Ekanayake]

This is onw of the oldest arguments that has plagued mankind ever since the Enlightenment began in Europe. I think that science and religion share common principles. I also believe that each can co-exist peacefully with the other instead of as some has suggested that people must choose one or the other. As human beings we cannot confuse one for the other and believe that each is not subject to change.

Yes. Religious ones won't change their minds, and the scientific ones will be the same. So what is best is to let both parties be as they are, without any comparison between them which will only bring chaos

[Sushan Ekanayake]

Christianity should not be afraid to debate science. God's Word does not contradict true science but rather confirms it. Science keeps changing and evolving so it's silly to assume that everything we hold as true now will be the same a 100 years from now. The Bible on the other hand will still be the same.

I won't challenge your faith in the bible and the God. There are many who think like that. That is why I suggest that religion and science should be kept at sides and let them go on their own paths. Trying to merge or compare them will only lead to a clash

[Sushan Ekanayake]

I think there’s room for science and religion. In my faith, we believe that God uses science to create the world. It didn’t just pop into existence...He used “science” to do so. I’m not explaining it properly but basically he doesn’t just use his “magic” to create and do all things. There’s room for both.

Maybe that is true. Maybe the God created the universe scientifically and later the scientists found that out. But that is yet to be proven. I agree that there is room for both, but in different paths and for different purposes

[Sushan Ekanayake]

I think it’s necessary to compare science and religion. I personally don’t believe that the debate between science and religion is equivocal to theory vs. belief, at least not in the way it’s been suggested by another poster. It’s just as valid to state that religion is the real theorem, while many scientific ideas can be proven as fact without the simple reliance of blind faith. Then again, one could also argue that God created all divisions of science and the scientists who study them find what they find in compliance with God’s will.

That mentioning about religion being real and the science also being created by God is purely from a religious point of view. In that case it is unnecessary to compare them at all since, as it suggested, both are almost the same. But from a scientific point of view, there are numerous things of the religions that have beem rejected as pure myth. In that case, the comparison won't be pleasant

[ClaZig]

Something that intrigues me is how often people forget that science and religion were not two separated things before. Instead, knowledge used to be monopolized by religious institutions and most scientists were somehow connected to them. Universities and schools were religious institutions, so such a radical separation (and even antagonism) is not innate to the concept of religious and scientific thought.