Section J: 1.1 Questions common to religion and science

Questions common to both science and religion include questions about origins (cosmology and creation) and conclusions (destiny of the natural world and eschatology). Science and religion both struggle against the temptation towards fundamentalism. In science this temptation manifests itself in ‘scientism’ which claims that only science can provide reliable knowledge and in religion this temptation is found in ‘literalism’, a view which neglects the different levels of meaning within religious texts. In the search for answers science and religion are often seen as opposing one another – this may be the result of this tendency to fundamentalism. Whatever the cause, conflict between these disciplines has arose on several occasions, often sparked by the irrepressible and unrestricted desire to find answers to ultimate questions.


In terms of questions about origins science and religion offer distinctly different, but not necessarily opposing, viewpoints. Scientific accounts of our origins (the Big Bang, the theory of evolution) are noted for excluding purpose in a way that proves problematic for those of a religious faith. Religious origin stories, for example the Genesis account in Christianity, affirms that creation is the wilful act of God – it is both intentional and purposeful. For Christians everything we observe is the work of God. As his creation we rely on God for our continued existence and our destiny has a transcendent dimension. We are not ‘just’ the molecules and atoms of which we are composed. We are imbued with a soul and invited to transcend the bounds of our mortal bodies and be united with God in heaven at the end of all time.


For some this notion of purpose and intention is undermined by scientific accounts that highlight randomness and chance. The creation of our universe is not the act of an intelligent designer – it is instead a cosmic accident, when something exploded out of nothing, before expansion and cooling led to our current state. Our existence is the product of pure chance, not divine purpose. Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution supports this idea, pointing to the fact that humans are not designed, but instead have evolved over millennia. We have no special place in the universe, we have just simply outlived our rivals through chance and variation.


In relation to questions of conclusion or destiny the answers provided by science and religion have a significant impact on our sense of purpose. In attempting to answer this great question we are often faced with existential dread. Scientific accounts hardly soften the blow – they are cold and pragmatic, stating the extinction of our universe is inevitable. It may take the form of ‘big crunch’ or ‘heat death’ – but either way it brings with it the end of human history. This is difficult to countenance and may lead to feelings of indifference or apathy.


Religious accounts offer a more hopeful conclusion. Eschatology is a branch of theology concerned with death, judgement and the final destiny of the soul and humankind. In Christianity, if we follow the path established by Jesus in his life and ministry, we will be saved. At the end of all time we will be judged – if we have lived good lives we will be redeemed and enjoy eternal salvation – union with God in heaven. It is a hopeful thought in the face of our inevitable death, and in the face of the extinction of our species and our universe. Some argue that religion is in essence a coping mechanism, designed to fend off the uncomfortable truths that surround us. Theologians argue it is rooted in recognition of a deeper truth, one that cannot be uncovered by a commitment to scientific materialism.

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