Science and Religion

বিজ্ঞান ও ধর্ম

Introduction: Science and religion are two different aspects of life. Both have their own importance and value. History tells that the two have always been in conflict in the beginning, religion was all important and reigned supreme in every sphere of life. But gradually its place was taken by science. Today science is far more important than religion.

Differences between Science and Religion: There are basic differences between the outlook of science and religion. The outlook of science is rational. Science believes in experiment and observation. It teaches its followers that nothing is to be believed until it has been proved to be true through experiment. Religion, on the other hand, is a matter of faith. It teaches its followers to believe and have faith in the teaching of religious teachers and the authority of religious books. The existence of God not be proved but it can be felt by those who have faith. It is all a matter of faith and not of experiment or observation.

Basic Characteristic of Science: Scientific trusths are tentative. Science believes that nothing is absolutely true. What is regarded as true today, may be Proved to be false the very next day by further experiements and observations. Thus, there was a time when the earth was supposed to be motionless and the in was supposed to go round it. Gradually science proved that this was wrong and showed that it is the earth which goes round the sun. In short, science is gressive and dynamic while religion are static and orthodox.

Science over Religion: Science advances from the particular to the general laws and principles. With the advancement of science, religion has gradually lost ground. Its truths have been subjected to searching analysis by science, one after another, and have been proved.

Limitation of Science: However, science has its own limitations. Man has a body as well as a spirit. Science is concerned only with the body, it can do nothing for the spirit.

Science may provide man with physical comforts, but it is religion alone which can give him the courage to struggle against heavy odds. He may even face death itself, with a smiling face. It is religion and religion alone, which can bring the healing balm for his wonded spirit.

Science, Never a Threat to Religion: It may be mentioned that religion is a social phenomanon as well as personal and individual. It is all a matter of individual belief. Science has weakened religious faith only as it is a social phenomenon. Science has not been able to touch religion, even the least, in its personal and individual aspects. There are people even today, whose faith in the name of the religion remains unshaken and who can still make the maximum sacrifice in the name of religion. It would, therefore, be wrong to say that science has made man irreligious or that it is an enemy of morality.

Conclusion: The startling discoveries of science are only in roads and erosion in the domain of faith. Science believes in things that can be proved, religion deals with spiritual ideas that can't be proved. Science depends on reason; religion on intuition and inner conviction or faith. The scientist works in the laboratory of the material world; the religious teacher probes into the chambers of the inward mind. The goal of science is achievement, that of religion is realization. The truths of science can be proved to all; the truths of religion have to be taken on trust.