Issues: Science and Christianity |
|
How To Tackle Science and Christianity in an Exam |
As well as showing a good understanding of the facts, you will need to demonstrate the value of both religion and science, and how they each have an important part to play in our understanding of life and how to live it. Science can trace the origins of the earth, the birth of the universe and unravel the wonderful mysteries of nature, but there are questions it can't answer and never will be able to, like 'Has the universe a purpose?' These are called 'ultimate questions'. |
| You need to know: |
| The Genesis account of creation - the order, with specific reference to the specific creation of animals and human beings; the significance of a day of rest (which can also be linked with Sabbath / Shabbat). |
| Theories about the origins of the universe and humanity. |
| Cosmology - the Big Bang - massive explosion creating galaxies |
| Evolution - man evolved through natural selection (the survival of the fittest) over millions of years - Charles Darwin |
The differences between science and religion:
e.g. How can we alleviate suffering? Why is there suffering in the world? |
| Science is involved with finding physical truths, religion with metaphysical or philosophical truth. |
You need to recognise that science benefits mankind in many ways - through medicine and technology for example, but these sciences are incomplete if they stand alone in human existence. In a practical way, science can alleviate suffering through the use of heat scanners to rescue people trapped underground in earthquakes for example, or increasing crop yields to support under-developed countries. But it is people's spiritual beliefs and values which prompt them to supply aid. Often, money raised for relief aid comes from those with a religious conviction that as God cares for human beings, so people must care for each other. In times of death and suffering, as well as scientific techniques, people require spiritual and emotional help, a sense of hope and strength to continue, which their religion provides. |
The opposite to science helping mankind is that it can 'play God' and erode man's sense of responsibility. It can cause conflict between 'progress' and 'conscience' in issues such as I.V.F., genetic engineering and cloning. Some are fearful that science will 'go too far' and eventually replace human conscience. In a practical way, scientific progress can erode employment by replacing man with machines. As two year 8 students put it:
Or, in the words of Albert Einstein:
|
 |
Go back to 'Issues - Science and Christianity' |