Coexistence Of Religion And Religion

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The coexistence of religion and science has been a subject of debate in the recent past. This is associated with the fact that, religion is founded on issues beyond common human observation while science is founded on observation. These differences are bound to cause conflict. Apparently, scientists can be religious but at the same time, they separate their profession (founded on observation and reason) from their religious beliefs (founded on what is unobservable and faith). However, when people try to mix science and religion, it leads to conflict. On the other hand, since humans seek to find answers to some fundamental questions on existence, both religion and science are fundamental in any society; none can replace the other (Shepard, 2009). Science and religion are fundamental to the functioning of the society and both are necessary part of the society.
In the article "Taking a Stand for Science" by Colleen Flaherty, the author pointed out that, the concept of intelligent design has elicited a lot of uproar especially in institutions of learning. At Ball State University for example, intelligent design was deemed to be inappropriate content for courses in science because, “the scientific community regarded it as a religious belief and not a scientific theory” (Flaherty, 2013, Para.2). This is could be attributed to increasing concerns by over eighty state and national scientific societies stating that creation science and intelligent design cannot qualify as science (Flaherty, 2013). In other words, as much as scientific societies appreciated academic freedom, they emphasized the need for institutions to exercise academic integrity by teaching students scientific theories without sharing their personal beliefs...

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...o live healthy lives, science functions to explain evolution and the existence of life, and it functions to help people understand their development and growth among others (Shepard, 2009). In that effect, the society requires both religion and science in order to function effectively.
Various controversies exist in the society today. One of the concerns is about teaching scientific theories and religions in schools. According to scientists, evolution is the origin of man while religions such as Christianity believe that man was created by God. Such conflicting perspectives create conflict between science and religion yet both are needed for effective functioning of the society. Therefore, in order to achieve social order and solidarity in the society, both religion and science should be allowed to exist separately and in coexistence in a way that avoids conflict.

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