Science and Religion

[dekeguy]

Perhaps I take a somewhat simplistic approach, but I never could see a problem between "science and religion". One can split hairs on the nuances of meanings of words, but for me the word science derives from the Latin infinitive "scire" rendered in the first person active as "scio" (I know). So it would seem to me that the word science indicates knowledge. Religion to me is the structured practice of demonstrable faith. Not the faith itself but the structured expression of it. Now, it seems to me that God reveals Himself to us as we are capable of understanding Him. He doesn't change, our ability to understand and grasp His nature develops as we as a species mature and develop. The question now arises what has changed since we have made great strides in knowledge (science)? Nothing. Does God exist? I firmly believe that He does. Do we understand His nature better than we did 200, 500, 1000, 2000 years ago and so on? I think we do. Do we fully understand the nature of God? Well, I sure don't, but faith is the trail I follow as we become more capable of a fuller understanding. So if I take a more comprehensive view perhaps science plus faith results in that wonderful Greek word "Sophia" (wisdom)! As a Jesuit trained Roman Catholic I remember some of the things that I was taught back in school that were and are important to me, among which were:
"There are only two great commandments, first love the Lord with your whole heart, soul, and being. Second, love your neighbor as yourself"
and, "When God gave you a brain, don't you suppose He had in mind that you do something with it".
If you are so inclined you might take a look at "The Phenomenon of Man" by
Pierre Theillard deChardin.
Anyway, I would sum up my thoughts as "Dominus vobiscum omnes, scio, creo, Catholicus sum, Te Deum laudamus".