Episode25:Science and Religion
13 Jun 2009, 23:09 UTC
Science is the product of human intellect, creativity and imagination. It helps answers the profoundest of all questions. Where did life come from? How old is the Earth? What is the structure of the universe? How did humans come to be? As the history of science shows, as it progresses so does the nature, accuracy and reliability the answers to such questions. The scientific picture of the physical world is a provisional and an ever changing one.
Science is not the only way to understand the world and our place within it.nbsp; Majority of the time humans have existed most of them have been equally content and secure with different answers to the same fundamental questions. For them ancient holly texts provide unambiguous solutions. Science is not needed because it is not required.
The debate between science and religion is as intriguing and contentious today in the 21st century as it has always been. Science progresses by actively challenging its core tenants through the rational exercise of reason. On the other hand religious beliefs have divine origins, donrsquo;t require changing and are thus inherently stronger.
There are surprising large number of high profile scientist who are also committed to a particular faith. Perhaps they can shed some light on how they reconcile this apparent contradiction.
Dr Allan Chapman who is not a scientist but a historian of science and a practising Christian with a particular interest in the history of astronomy talks about science and religion.nbsp; He is the author of several books including biographies on Mary Summerville and Robert Hook. Perhaps he is better knownnbsp; fornbsp; ldquo;Gods in the Skyrdquo;nbsp; and as the presenter thenbsp; of the three part series of the same name on channel4.
