I chose to use the relationship between religion and science across time as a topic for my paper because of the complexity that this discussion puts across. It is certainly interesting to observe religious and scientific ideas being intertwined in the contemporary society in spite of the fact that people in the past held great reservations with regard to ideas expressed by each domain individually. To a certain degree, it is only safe to say that science and religion have complemented each-other in many situations. When people could no longer explain phenomena through science, some resorted to using religion as a means to explain them.
¶ … Science Has Played on Religion, and Vice Versa
The relationship between science and religion
I chose to use the relationship between religion and science across time as a topic for my paper because of the complexity that this discussion puts across. It is certainly interesting to observe religious and scientific ideas being intertwined in the contemporary society in spite of the fact that people in the past held great reservations with regard to ideas expressed by each domain individually. To a certain degree, it is only safe to say that science and religion have complemented each-other in many situations. When people could no longer explain phenomena through science, some resorted to using religion as a means to explain them.
There has always been a strong connection between science and religion, as these two domains played an important role in how the masses perceived each of them. Religion has set a great deal of limitations on science across time while science has managed to get people to express doubt to many religious theories.
Dixon, T. (2008). Science and Religion: A Very Short Introduction. OUP Oxford.
Thomas Dixon's book provides important information enabling readers to change their perspective toward the relationship between science and religion. The author emphasizes that one should also focus on the harmony between the two domains rather than to assume that this respective relationship has always been dominated by conflict. One of Dixon's main intentions in writing this book was to have people acknowledge that they need to move away from the typical understanding of the relationship between science and religion so as for them to be able to actually understand this connection.
Dorman, E.R. "HINDUISM AND SCIENCE: THE STATE OF THE SOUTH ASIAN SCIENCE AND RELIGION DISCOURSE." Zygon: Journal of Religion & Science. Sep2011, Vol. 46 Issue 3, p593-619. 27p.
This article is important because it provides information on Eastern attitudes toward the relationship between religion and science. This makes it possible for readers to see matters from points-of-view that differ from Christianity. By understanding the relationship between Hinduism and science in addition to the relationship between science and religion in general, one is more likely to see the bigger picture concerning humanity as a whole and its perspective on the connection between religion and science.
Ecklund, E.H., Park, J.Z., and Sorrell, K.L. "Scientists Negotiate Boundaries Between Religion and Science." Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion. Sep2011, Vol. 50 Issue 3, p552-569. 18p.
Ecklund, Park, and Sorrel provide the opportunity to look at the religion vs. science debate from the perspective of scientists. The article relates to 275 natural and social scientists and their opinion concerning the matter and practically demonstrates that only a minority of scientists consider that religion and science have always been two separate entities.
Einstein, A. "Religion and Science." Retrieved August 19, 2013, from http://www.sacred-texts.com/aor/einstein/einsci.htm
This article is intriguing because it was written by one of history's most renowned scientists with the purpose of clearing the mystery concerning the conflict between religion and science. Einstein was a convinced scientists, but this did not prevent him from acknowledging situations when religion had assisted the world of science and from realizing that religion was in many cases responsible for influencing people to come up with logical explanations to particular events.
Ferngren, G.B. (2002). Science and Religion: A Historical Introduction. JHU Press.
This book presents a typical account concerning the relationship between science and religion. The fact that it uses thirty scholarly essays with the purpose to document the history of the topic while also introducing strong opinions supporting each of the two sides shows that the debate is still alive and that it is very difficult to support either side.
Longest, K.C. And Smith, C. "Conflicting or Compatible: Beliefs About Religion and Science Among Emerging Adults in the United States." Sociological Forum. Dec2011, Vol. 26 Issue 4, p846-869. 24p. 4 Charts.
This journal article addresses the topic under discussion by relating to how it impacts thinking in a set of individuals in the U.S. Results show that people held very diverse opinion toward the topic and that it would be wrong to assume that the majority of people believe that being religious means that one is going to have a biased opinion concerning science.
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