Science Versus Religion           by Carl McMurray

            Well meaning people often wonder why there seems to be so much conflict between science and religion.  If they are both supposed to be true and they both are for the betterment of mankind, why do they seem so contradictory?  The answer I believe is found in the source and driving philosophy behind each one.  Science is a gathering of facts.  As such, it is basically an exercise of man’s mind.  It will go in the direction man wants it to go.  Religion on the other hand, if handled truthfully, is out of man’s control.  It is an approach to God on His terms, and if left unpolluted by men, will point one in God’s direction.  Another way to see the difference between two trees is to look at the fruit of those tree.  Consider, for example...

            It is in the name of science that Jews were experimented on, tortured,  and murdered during World War II.  It was in the name of God that this practice was labeled inhumane and criminal.

            In the name of science abortion is justified, encouraged, and even made profitable by the selling of human body parts.  It is in the name of God that the child is wept over, defended, and often buried rather than “trashed.”

            The science of genetics continues to study and encourage cloning which depends upon the repeated fertilization and destruction of multiplied embryos as well as unnumbered birth mutations, all for a single living creature.  It is in the name of God that life is defended, cloning is declared a murderous slaughter and not worth the price of one child, let alone uncounted deformed and misshapen ones.

            The science of biology talks about survival of the fittest while non-Christian religions preach the destruction of their enemies.  It is Christianity again that teaches compassion for the weak, defense of the helpless and that  enemies are to be loved and prayed for, helped – not ignored, and re-built – not destroyed. (ed. note; this non-Christian nation that we live in, dominated by Christian morals and values, to my knowledge, is the first nation since Cyrus the Persian to regularly commit itself to rebuilding those nations that it has defeated in war. We lead the world, not only in government aid to poorer nations needing disaster relief, but also in individual contributions for those same disasters.)

            The science of medicine talks about quality of life and the worth of a person and the end result is euthanasia for the aged and infirm.  It is the word of God that teaches that the innocent are to be protected and the elderly respected and cared for.

            The science of psychology teaches us to express ourselves, “vent” that anger, love yourself, demand equality, respect, gratification, and look out for number one. It is God who says to be slow to wrath, slow to speak, and quick to hear.  He teaches us to control our anger, treat others as you would like to be treated, and put the interests of others before one’s own interests.

            The science of sociology today says, “Don’t inhibit the child,” spanking is abusive and a detriment in that it damages his fragile self-esteem.  In the name of God we’re told that discipline won’t harm that child and that he/she is to be taught self-control and the way of the Lord.  And on that note we might point out that four to six decades ago when all the alleged “bad parenting” was taking place, before today’s enlightened age, people who did drugs recreationally were considered bad people, girls who became pregnant in high school were ashamed, and there was no such thing as a school shooting although many students had their own guns at home or access to their father’s guns for hunting and plinking.

            Look back over the above and ask yourself which path is really the best path for one to follow. Which fruit of which tree is really the best tasting. True science I esteem. When men feel that their ideas, however, rise above the standards God lays down, then we must speak out.

            “See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ.”

 Colossians 2:8