Is Science the Next Religion - and what's wrong with that?

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Opened: February 16, 2010
Closed: September 4, 2010
Comments: 150
Number of Participants: (12) Jeff H; The Kernel; Roman Kozlowski; Alexander; Jim G; Sarah; Tim; David Theman; Frontfrontsplits; Socratus; Khem; Sid, M.S. Jones

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In one corner we have Religion and the establishment of absolute truth - of one kind or another. During the past few thousand years, though some have appeared then fallen into oblivion, others survive and claim to hold immutable truths – like the existence of god or gods, spirits and souls. For hundreds of millions, such truths have changed very little over time.

In the other corner is Science and the development of demonstrable truths that evolve or develop over time. Science, as we know it, has moved very slowly during the past few thousand years, with the exception of the past couple hundred - at which time knowledge has increased at a logarithmic rate.

Religion is represented by a declaration of absolute knowledge and therefore has, by definition, changed little over time. Science represents an systematic accumulation, testing and refinement of knowledge and is epitomized by truths that are toppled by more comprehensive and interrelated truths – however temporary they may be.

Religion, for example might tell us that god created the universe. Science one week might insist that at the source of the universe is “The Singularity” only to later trumpet the notion of the multi-verse.

Religion or theology has much to do about the metaphysical realm and attempts to establish rules or approaches governing righteous living. Science may philosophize about metaphysical existences of one kind or another but focuses attention on material reality. It does not express intention for human betterment - only knowledge for the sake of knowledge. It is focused simply and on describing the forces that govern matter in an unbiased manner.

The premise here is that humans around the globe seem predisposed to give ritualistic thanks or engage in forms of religious worship in an effort to reach out to an all powerful god. As we move away from a world filled with myth and superstition to one increasingly dependent on scientific discovery, will mankind transfer its propensity to worship onto science. Could such a transference succeed? Has it already begun?