Spirituality and Science: God & Science: Not Mutually Exclusive  

By Nelliah Hariharan  

Spirituality and Science: God & Science: Not Mutually Exclusive  

The universe has evoked either one of two responses in us humans: Fear of the unknown and awe, or a determination to find out more about the universe and how it works.

From the first was born a belief in God, which ultimately took form in the great religions of the world and from the second rose the long tradition of dispassionate scientific inquiry.

But science and scientists have largely been seen by the religious as abrogators of religion and all that it symbolises.

Science doesn't deny the existence of God

Most traditional religions assert that God is the ultimate Truth, while science, without admitting the existence of any personal God, claims that its motive force is the quest for Truth. Science and religion seldom see eye-to-eye; this is partly because science has played a big role in enhancing our material comforts.

Since religion has always regarded materialistic conquests and gains as being secondary and sometimes even detrimental to our spiritual progress, the spiritually-minded have come to look upon science as a sphere of activity that denies the existence of the Divine.

It is generally forgotten that science is essentially amoral in character: It is we humans who imbue it with a certain colour, depending on the purpose for which we choose to use science.

As an instrument purely for the acquisition of knowledge, science can not only be intellectually invigorating but can also eloquently justify the existence of an intelligent Creative Principle in the universe.

History amply testifies to the fact that some of the greatest names in science, Galileo Galilei, Isaac Newton and Albert Einstein were devout and humble believers.

For, how many serious scientists can marvel at the intricate laws of planetary motion, and yet choose to reject the very notion of an intelligent cosmic Creator?

Belief or non-belief is an intensely personal matter

Another cause for the rift between religion and science are those scientists who publicly and forcefully emphasise their lack of faith in the existence of a Creator.

But one should guard against blaming science itself for this since belief or non-belief is an intensely personal matter.

Those who quote science to re-affirm their atheism will find the following anecdote about Isaac Newton interesting:

Isaac Newton had invited a scientist-friend of his, a man who professed atheism, to dine with him. Seeking to corner his friend with his own arguments, Newton placed a model of the solar system on his table and invited his friend to view it.Upon examining it, Newton's friend exclaimed, "What marvellous craftsmanship! Who fashioned this exquisite model?" Newton replied casually, "This model has no maker; it materialised from nothing".

Disbelief writ large on his face, the friend asked, "What do you mean?" To this Newton smilingly replied, "How can you, my friend, insist that this model has to have a maker, while vehemently denying the existence of a divine Creator?"

Science in search of truth

If the practice of science is looked upon merely as an exercise of the faculty of reason with an eye on temporal material gains, it falls woefully short of its expectations as an instrument of knowledge.

On the contrary, if it is regarded as a tool that probes the workings of the external, and internal world; if science can help us understand why we're here and how this whole cosmos came about; if with a scientific approach we can get closer to probing the mind of God - then it would more than fulfil its self-professed role of illuminating the human mind.

Science would also then serve as something that invokes and inspires faith in God.

Therefore, one can safely conclude that science can actually strengthen, rather than weaken, our faith in God. In fact, science can even reinforce our faith in a Supreme Being.

Physics and metaphysics are but the two sides of the same coin. Science has the power to ennoble us as much as religion can. While the truly pious person loves God with his heart, a truly dedicated scientist loves God with his mind.

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More from same author see: Nelliah Hariharan  

See also: Spirituality and Science, Faith and Belief, Spiritual Guidance, God and Religion, Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)