The Importance of Science

I've been thinking about science a lot in the past week. It started when I discovered that www.symphonyofscience.com put up some new videos (if you have never seen their videos check them out). I've had a little more time on my hands so I have been watching a number of scientific documentaries. Lastly I had a friend mention on twitter that every child should be taught scientific method.

It was the last that got me thinking my friend made a great point we should be teaching all children scientific method. First I was surprised that this had to be said because in my upbringing I was taught about scientific method, but I have begun to realize that my experience is unique that there are a lot of kids who do not get the chance to see the beauty of the universe that exists around them.

I'm very disturbed by the anti-science strain that has taken root in some communities of faith. I think that it has lead to a very unhealthy view of the universe around us. I think that science not only can help us to understand the world we live in but it can also help us to rediscover the natural wonder and awe we have for that world. I think that this anti-science mentality has contributed to the environmental crisis we find ourselves in.

Science can also teach us important lessons about living in the questions. Scientists search for answers yes, but they also are excited by the search and comfortable with saying we don't know. This is important because the fact is that life is about the search.

Faith should not be taught in the science classroom. I would not be comfortable as a person of faith having my child be told about faith in school. Science needs to be taught as science, if people wish to tell their children something different it is their responsibility to do so not the school's. Science by definition is observable and faith is not. I certainly see my faith and science as compatible and value both very much, but faith is not scientific (because it is not observable). Science certainly informs my faith, and my faith colors how I see science but there is great value with me wrestling with the questions of the intersection of faith and science myself and I think that others should be given the opportunity to wrestle with these issues.

Do something scientific this week!!! See the wonder and awe science has to offer. I think you will find it exciting.

Science and Faith

I have heard discussions lately about faith and science.  So it wasn't a surprise to me when I opened my most resent issue of sojourners and the first bit of commentary was on this issue. The article "With All Your Mind" By Francis Collins is a great argument as to how you can be both a person of faith and a person of science.

It shocks me that this is still an issue that persists.  As a person of faith I see no reason that one can not both believe in God and also believe in science. I accept Darwin's Theory of Evolution the evidence is overwhelming. I was shocked when I read in Collins article that only 24% of regular church goers believe in evolution. This saddens me a little because as humans I think we are called to use the great gift of reason that we have been given.   My faith tells me that the processes of nature are much more beautiful when we learn about them through science. If we simply say God commanded and boom it happened, God is turned into nothing but a simple magician. I don't wish to reduce God to nothing more than another David Blaine or Chris Angel. I find the idea that God may have used natural processes to be more reasonable.  

People who have faith need not to be afraid of the teachings of science, it gives us greater understanding of the world we live in.  I would ask someone who says that science is a danger to faith the question, "how strong is a faith that can be swayed so easily?" I would advocate for people of faith who are also thinking people. As Christians we have moved beyond the idea that the earth is the center of the universe, can we not also take a second look at the rest of the ancient cosmetology.  We must recognize that the Bible is NOT a science book and should not be used as one.

Faith and science can become a social issue as well. I think what we know about the human genome is not only fascinating but has the possibility of saving many, many lives.  Stem cell research can give hope to people with many conditions that otherwise have no hope. 

Now that I have spoken a great deal about why faith should not fear science I want to talk a little about a speech I heard the other day from a scientist who was arguing against faith because it caused people to simply accept the things that they can not understand. I would like to refute this point by saying that it is because of my faith that I want to learn as much I can about the world around me. I think that God has given me a brain to explore the world around me. So I believe that faith can spur interest in science and not just detract from it.  I think it is ok to recognize the mystery that exists in the universe while still trying to learn more about it. 

Faith and Science are not mutually exclusive because they ask different questions. Science answers how and faith attempts to answer why.  I believe one can be and I  try to be a person of both faith and science.