The Scientific Method of Religion - QS1

Yes, I know. I have not written on my blog in an exorbitant amount of time. This phenomenon attributes partly to the fact that I loved my last post and the comment participation which followed. ::snap, snap:: (i.e. “snaps” for those who commented)

Around the end of 2006, a friend and I hashed out some of our differences in a very open and extremely important conversation. While (haha) things are not perfect between us, as none can expect from any, we have decided to explore each others’ worlds through a challenge to each other to question our stable lives. Thus, I have been examining my life and my preconceived notions about my worldview. Since I firmly believe that one cannot form one’s own opinion without hearing those of others, I am to begin sharing thoughts from with this quest and ask that you might give your own opinions and/or direct knowledgeable sources to my blog in order to prompt further discussion.

I invite you into my quest with this first entry:

***

Question Series 1 - The Scientific Method of Religion

Science and Religion both seek to explain things about the world.

-Science seeks to explain the natural, physical world.

-Religion seeks to explain the supernatural, spiritual world.

In essence, religion attempts to explain eternal, spiritual forces and science attempts only to explain the natural world. Thus we find that many scientist do not agree with religion since science cannot explain it. But should we disregard something simply because we cannot explain it?

An example: Dark Matter in the universe. We cannot see this dark matter, but we can see its effects. “Dark matter is simply a name [scientists] give to whatever unseen influence is causing the observed gravitational effects [on the light of stars and the Milky Way Galaxy’s rotation]”*. “Dark matter apparently dominates the total mass of the universe”*. Thus all of those years that you’ve been taught that there is nothing between the stars are in vain, for actually scientists are calculating that this unknown matter comprises 70 percent of the mass of the universe.

We do not know what dark matter is, what is its purpose, or how it was created; however, we do not disregard the theory simply because we do not understand it. Conversely, we explore and study it further so that we can understand it. So also, we should explore religion.

Why will I start with Christianity? Well, because I was raised in it and I believe it to be true. Simply because I was raised in it does not mean that it is a construction of my parents or that I only believe its validity due to the influence of my upbringing. Do you believe that earth revolves around the sun? Is this due to your own observations and measurement or that you were taught this concept? My starting block of Christianity simply means that I have a foundation to work on, or in the words of Sir Isaac Newton, I am “standing on the shoulders of giants.” Even if my predecessors are wrong, I still posses the possibility to come to a correct solution.

Look at astronomy and the incorrect assumptions (based on solid observations) from which our modern model has sprung. The model of the universe that dominated astronomical theory for almost 2000 years was of a geocentric solar system and universe. Compare this with the fact that we now know through extremely accurate measurements and thousands of years of scientific study that not only is the earth not the center of the solar system, but our sun is not even the center of the universe.* From these incorrect assumptions though, we have derived the truth (at least, for the moment).

In the scientific method, one begins with a hypothesis, an educated guess. One then studies and experiments different situations and related material to see if the hypothesis is falsified. Notice that one does not experiment to prove the hypothesis, but only if after every instance has been observed and re-observed by another, does the hypothesis develop into a theory. Even then, any theory can still be disproved at any time. The theories of Einstein himself might one day be discredited.

If we look at religion the same way we view science and the scientific method, we should explore the idea and field until it is proven false because we cannot prove anything true! Why do I still believe in Christianity though the theological concept of the Trinity is so difficult to understand? For the same reason I accept the observations of astronomy although we do not know what dark matter is. Though I may not understand everything, I have not found Christianity to be proven false yet. Long live the scientific method.

*Bennett, Jeffrey et al. Stars, Galaxies, and Cosmology. San Franciso: Pearson Addison Wesley, 2007.

---

Leave a comment...