Are Science and Religion Compatible?
Dr. Michael Guillen, ABC TV News Science Editor, has once again shown his limited understanding of what science is all about. He either doesn’t know, or chooses not to know, what science claims. To quote him from a recent broadcast:
Think about what’s going on. On the religious side, you have folks who sincerely are trying to turn a sacred book like the Bible into a science textbook, and that’s difficult, I’ve found, in my experience. And on the science side, you have folks who are trying to turn the theory of evolution into some kind of a sacred text that is beyond question and irrefutable. And my experience is that we have to find some kind of middle ground because science makes a lousy religion and religion makes a lousy science.
Dr. Guillen, I wish that you would begin to “think about what’s going on,” and know your subject better. It’s not “difficult … to turn a sacred book like the Bible into a science textbook.” It’s impossible. First, you make the assumption that the Bible is a “sacred book.” It isn’t. To the vast majority of the human race it’s one of many ancient mythological accounts that predated a better understanding of reality that we now call science. That is supposed to be your subject of expertise. A science textbook would, by its very definition, be based upon the principles of science that the Bible denies and/or ignores.
Science does not discover truth, nor does it claim any of its texts are sacred or beyond question.
Second, no real scientist would ever claim that he could come up with a discovery in science “that is beyond question and irrefutable.” Science does not discover truth, nor does it claim any of its texts are sacred or beyond question. That’s what religion does. Science comes to conclusions arrived at by a process of observation, testing, assessment, and analysis—and submits those conclusions for further examination and testing. Nothing in science is “beyond question.” Nothing is “irrefutable.” Anyone who thinks to the contrary—as you apparently are admitting you do—simply does not understand the basic nature of science.
There is no “middle ground” here, however devoutly you may wish there were. Religion is based upon blind faith supported by no evidence. Science is based upon confidence that results from evidence—and that confidence can be modified and/or reversed by further observation and experimentation. Science approaches truth, closer and closer, by hard and dedicated work. Religion already has it all decided, and it’s “in the book.” It’s dogma, unchangeable, and unaffected by reality and whatever facts we come upon in the real world.
The fact that the Pope admitted that Galileo was right—more than three centuries after thinking persons already knew he was right—shows that religious leaders can learn, given enough time. But that does not make science and religion compatible. Your attempt to find a “middle ground” is a move toward blurring the definitions and positions of both religion and of science. This is not a matter of negotiation or bargaining, it is a matter of facts versus mythology.
Wall Street Moves Into High Gear!
Nothing surprises me any more. I received an e-mail invitation from a chap described as “your favorite psychic-stock-guru, Marcus Goodwin” (I assure you he’s not any favorite of mine!) who, I am told is “very please [sic] to make this exceptional announcement” to the investing public.
On Tuesday, March 28, 2000, the most highly regarded stock analysis association in the world, The New York Society of Securities Analysts (NYSSA), will officially open their eyes and ears to a brave new world called Psychic Investing.
Wow! The most failed notion in current favor will now be made available to investors! We are promised “a remarkable and monumental afternoon of psychic-stock exploration.” All that’s needed is “a photo ID or two non-photo IDs to enter the WTC,” and a “$30 for Non-Members, $15 for NYSSA Members” fee, though “Admission is free to the press with valid ID.” I’ll just bet.
Nothing in science is “beyond question.” Nothing is “irrefutable.”
Please note that we were told that the NYSSA “will officially open their eyes and ears” at this event, but it appears that will only occur if any of them choose to attend and pay the $30. This is not an NYSSA event, but a Marcus Goodwin event. There may be a large number of NYSSA members whose eyes and ears will remain closed to this financial bonanza.
But I hear a cry of “Danger, Will Robinson!” The blurb warns: “Although accurate up-to-the-minute business information and good technical fundamentals are valued friends on Wall Street, they are not 100% accurate.” You see, we’re already getting smarter; I had no idea that information could be inaccurate! We’re assured, “By capitalizing on a psychic edge to investing, everything you need to know about making a killing in the stock market is made available to you, and there’s nothing difficult about it.”
So how does this wonderful service work? “By making use of ancient oracles of prediction such as tarot, astrology, numerology, and the pendulum, your success at picking winning stocks is greatly enhanced.” Ah, it’s all clear to us now. I’m sure that there are also detailed instructions on invoking powerful incantations, reading the I Ching, analyzing bird entrails, bibliomancy, and consulting the bumps on one’s own head.
I’m sure sold! And bad cess to those dunderheads who insist the Earth is round, too!
A simple, naive question, if I may: How is it that Mr. Goodwin offers all these services to the public, for a fee, when he could much more easily use “Psychic Investing” to make that “killing in the stock market” for himself? I’m reminded of those who sell winning lottery numbers, rather than using those numbers themselves. Why?
Religion is based upon blind faith supported by no evidence.
And just who is Marcus Goodwin? We’re told in this gushing blurb that he’s the “renowned Paranormalist and Author,” whose web page may be visited at www.marcusgoodwin.com. I can’t wait to get there, so that I may “place [myself] way ahead of the pack” in the investing business. However, I’m a bit leery that we might be subjects of a put-on here when I note that the posting that brought this happy news came from “goose.prod.itd.earthlink.net.”
Once more we hear, loudly, “Danger, Will Robinson!”
And the Earth still turns …