Is there such thing as a peaceful world between science and religion? A discussion was held on Friday Feb. 16th, 2007 titled ‘Faith and Science: is there an Interface?’ to help the public see the common ground between the two.
A very diverse group of people gathered to give their thoughts on the issue: Jeffrey Levington, SBU professor of Ecology and Evolution, Rabbi Joseph Topek, SBU Hillel director, Rev. Richard Edwards, pastor of SBU community church, Catherine Schuyler SBU pastor, Robert Crease, professor and chair of SBU Department of Philosophy, Alfred Goldhaber, SBU professor of physics, and Katy Hinman, director of Georgia Light and Power. These individuals gave their perspectives on how there can be common ground between religion and science.
According to the panel, science and religion seem to be polar opposites. People are drawn to either science or religion. The panel carefully addressed the issue and provided examples of both. In science, you go through a scientific process, which the ultimate goal is to find the truth and to improve the world. In religion, people of faith are out to find the truth to improve one self. The correlation between the two is what should bind people. Ultimately people are interested in improving and should share interests in both areas.
According to Crease, people learn to trust science just like religion. If one can focus on the process instead of the laws, that’s when the common ground can be sustained. The issue itself depends on how people perceive it. Two individuals can read one thing but can interpret it completely opposite just like science and religion.
Goldhaber explained that just because we have gravity doesn’t mean we can fly, which holds true with religion and science. One member of the audience pointed out that ever since the theory of evolution was published, religious groups learned to despise science.
Panel member Rev. Edwards addressed why such distrust exists, ‘It cuts at the heart of Salvation’.
Although Darwin’s Theory of Evolution created tension among religious groups because it questioned the very core of many religions, many scientists believe that there is actually a common factor between the two.
Hinman is an example of this combination of ideas. She has been going to church ever since she was a little girl but she studies ecology and evolution. According to Hinman, people can find common ground through the constant searching for answers. The constant search for truth is what binds science and religion. She says that through science people can understand the world and can help improve environmental dilemmas.
Schuyler said that in both science and religion, the goal is to obtain information and the more they learned, the easier it is to realize the depths of their own lack of knowledge.’
Topek pointed out, the purpose of either science or religion is to understand the world we live in.
The bottom line, according to the panel, both groups of people are interested in knowing how the universe came to exist and should learn to preserve it.
