February 6 Meeting

In our February 6^th meeting, we began our journey through the topics offered by Ian Barbour in his book “When Science Meets Religion”. This book was produced in response to a request to produce a more readable and user friendly version of his seminal work “Religion and Science”. Most of us agreed that if this volume was more accessible, then we were very glad we were not using the original work. A dictionary was an essential tool in reading the first chapter. Barbour presents four types of relationships between science and religion: conflict, independence, dialogue and integration.

Conflict: The relationship most dwelled upon by the media. This relationship most often manifests itself when secular materialists and biblical literalists interact; particularly with respect to creation and evolution. Many with a secular materialist world view have set themselves up as the high priests of this “religion”. Barbour points out that: “Scientists and are no wiser than anyone else when they step out of the laboratory”. On the other hand, it is hard to understand the point of view of biblical literalists, particularly in light of the advances in knowledge. It is disconcerting that those with this view are very well organized and have attempted to suppress in educational institutions the type of inquiring dialogue that is taking place in our group. Science is always embracing change and new understandings; religion needs to do the same. (See Bishop John Spong’s “Why Christianity Must Change or Die” and Marcus Borg’s “Reading the Bible Again for the First Time”)

Independence (Parallel tracks): There is no conflict here because science and religion are asking different questions; science asks what, when and how and religion asks why and what does it mean. Some of us were on true parallel tracks and others on separate tracks that tended to intersect either now or will some time in the future. Independence avoids conflict, but we miss the opportunity for constructive interaction and mutual enrichment.

Dialogue: “Dialogue emphasizes similarities in presuppositions, methods and concepts…”. Barbour points out that some say that:

“The data of science are unaffected by individual preferences or cultural influences. By contrast, religion seems to be highly subjective and strongly influenced by individual and cultural assumptions. Science is said to require detached observation and logical reasoning, whereas religion requires personnel involvement in a particular tradition and set of practices.

But many historians, philosophers of science and theologians have called into question this sharp contrast, arguing that science is not as objective nor religion as subjective as had been assumed. There are indeed differences of emphasis between the fields, but the distinctions are not absolute. Scientific data are theory-laden, not theory-free. Theoretical assumptions enter the selection, reporting and interpretation of what are taken to be data. Moreover, theories do not arise from logical analysis of data, but from acts of creative imagination in which analogies and models often play a role. Conceptual models help us to imagine what is not directly observable, especially in the realm of the very large (astronomy) and the very small (quantum physics).

Many of the same characteristics are present in religion…”.

Faith is needed in science; none of us has ever seen a quark, but observation and experience lead us to conclude the reality of its existence. Brain science can help explain the role that Buddhist meditation and centering prayer play in achieving a sense of well being and happiness.

Integration: Natural theology, theology of nature and systematic synthesis (?) attempt to integrate the two disciplines. We are in need of more enlightenment in these areas. Perhaps our future explorations will help our understanding here.

Dr. Steve Pauley will lead our next exploration of astronomy and creation on Mar 6. We will not meet on Feb 20 because of the annual meeting. Some of us will join Steve at Galena Lodge on Mar 10 for his stargazing lecture and dinner. We will also get an opportunity to observe some of these phenomena, Inshallah (God willing). Anyone interested in joining us should call Galena Lodge for reservations.