Posted by Omar Seguna (Religion teacher) on January 30, 19101 at 11:55:51:
Science and the Bible
The inspiration of the Bible lies not in the geological, archaeological, historical, scientific descriptions that we find in the Bible but the Bible is concerned with its religious matters. They are on a different level than the truths that we find in science and physics, medicine and psychiatry. Those are different levels of truths. These truths were not then available. This distinction is very important because religious truths are distinct from scientific truths. What is the object of scientific truths? Facts. Each study has its specific methodology to lead their investigations. Therefore in their search for facts they have their own ways and means. Yet a researcher can accept the Bible truths because the narrative is not a historical or a scientific explanation but it is an interpretation. So when we talk about an interpretation we are trying to explain why we opt; which a scientist cannot answer.
Acceptance of Religion
Nowadays we have moved from a state of ambivalence towards religion to a state of tolerance and respect. This came along because people started to realize that to be neutral about religion. There is no such thing as neutrality on religious affairs. There are lots of things science can explain much better. However every person is a religious person by nature. The moment we start as reflected persons making ‘why’ questions, the ‘why’ of things. Science can explain much better the interpretation of creation. The Bible is not a scientific book. The Bible is a religious book. And science gives us better concepts of things. But religion tends to answer the ‘why’ questions; the ‘why’ of things which no scientist can understand. Science does not explain the ‘why’ of creation. Why do we exist? Why was the world created? Why was I born? Why do some people become sick, faint and die, and the afterlife. Why is there injustice? This explains why we cannot be neutral about religion. Religion is ultimately linked with philosophy because philosophy also asks the ‘why’ questions. Religion can be philosophy itself.
The Importance of Official Doctrine
Nowadays, people are understanding that alternative to religions are extremely harmful. If we take for example now in the US, the wave of traditional religions and cults we understand the danger when there is no official doctrine. In the States there are thousands and thousands of cults. Some of the leaders of these cults can be deviant, like for instance the m suicide of Guyana or Wako, Texas and so many other forms of aberrations take place in the name of religion. It is scary how people get attracted to these sects very often.
Many people came back to understand the great heritage that Christianity had left to our Western world, especially the humanism that was related to Christianity. The legacy is the basis of our basic human rights and our concepts of democracy; they were parts of the Christian world.
Conclusion
Now things have changed even among contemporary philosophers and sociologists and in the wider context even politicians who started to be more interested in religion. From an attitude of hostility, now there is an attitude of cooperation. As a matter of fact the number of world religions increased and Christianity spread in China, is reawaken in Russia and East Europe.