A few years ago, a column based on interpretation of religious texts attacked results of scientific research. A rebuttal argued that the column lacked both good scientific information and reliable interpretation of religious texts. A Montgomery County Lilly Scholarship awardee wrote to thank me for the rebuttal. The outstanding student was active in a local church and planned to be a scientist. Claims of conflict between religion and science were distressing.
The conflict heats up as we face major issues of a pandemic, climate change, abortion, vaccination and political debates. How can one who is not a professional scientist or a professional theologian make sense of it all? Choose a side in the battles? Mammon versus God? Or, try to provide a reasonable middle ground between extremes?
Science and religion are allies in discovery of the truth, not enemies. Both seek truth about some overlapping areas using diverse sources, methods and goals. Serious thought is necessary to discern truth and make sound judgments based on any source. The old saying, “Which is worse, ignorance or apathy? I don’t know, and I don’t care!” points to mediocrity in both science and religion and to disaster in midst of crisis. A better way must exist.
Prudent people describe two sources of knowledge about ourselves, others and the world as basis for understanding what is true to affirm and good to do. General revelation builds on careful observation of the world, and special revelation results from study and reflection on religion[s]. Reasonable people studying general revelation can infer truths about creation and how best to preserve social order. Special revelation provides fuller understanding of the creation, the meaning and purpose of our lives, and the good to do. Aligning these two provide the basis for scientific discoveries, ethics, love, common sense and good social order. An intelligent person must know something about both in order to derive the best from each and to avoid unnecessary conflict and confusion.
Truth cannot remain in conflict with itself. All avenues for discovery of truth are positive partners. They become enemies when either scientists or religious leaders reach outside their proper realms and when conclusions in either area are misapplied. Scientific conclusions are turned into metaphysical claims, or theological conclusions are turned into scientific affirmations. The fatal flaw is not to be wrong, but to believe that no truth exists. Then special interest groups can present fake truths to their advantage. Harsh disputes often result, and our social order becomes ‘red in tooth and claw.’ Great care is essential in both science and religion in order to rightly state what is true to believe and good to do. Any of us may not possess all truth, but we affirm that all truth is ours to discover. My Christian affirmation is this: knowledge of what is true and good from both science and religion leads us closer to God, not farther away.
Human survival and flourishing require an advanced intelligence because we learn and rarely act by instinct. We are gifted with reason and volition that enable us to think strategically, consider consequences of actions, control impulses, plan for the future and act responsibly. Advanced reason and volition distinguish us from other animals. However, we must collaborate and learn from others and then collaborate in order to create a sustainable social order.
Humility is a virtue because the more we know, the more we understand we do not know. Imagine human knowledge as the contents of a balloon. As the balloon expands, more points exist at the edge from which to explore a vast unknown. Reaching the edges of our physical knowledge of the universe or of subatomic aspects of quantum mechanics, we still struggle with unresolved questions of meaning, purpose, ethics and religion.
Those who claim that science requires a materialistic, mechanistic, godless universe with no purpose exceed the scope of science, as do leaders who claim that Christianity and biblical texts disprove science or say simply, “I don’t believe in evolution or Dr. Fausi!” overstep the scope of religion. Those who falsify and misinterpret data for personal advantage for any reason are not just incompetent scientists, they are not scientists at all. Religious leaders who willfully misinterpret and manipulate religious sources to mislead the faithful and keep in ignorance deserve condemnation.
Founders of American democracy built on both Enlightenment principles and religious beliefs as allies in a free country. Democracy requires an informed public that are free to determine the direction and laws of their government. They are able to negotiate in the public square any disagreements about good actions that are permitted for the common good. The founders boldly signed their names to their affirmation, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, and that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights ….” Those affirmations and their foundation are worth treasuring and are more needed now than ever.
Raymond B. Williams, Crawfordsville, LaFollette Distinguished Professor in the Humanities emeritus, contributed this guest column.
