Science and Religion
Science and Religion: Enemies or Allies? For years now, the world has made scientific breakthroughs of every kind, whether it be the moon landing or the discovery of the Higgs boson particle. Such discoveries have given the critics of Creationism ammunition to attack religious believers, and as I have seen, said attacks have been very successful in turning people away from the goodness of God. Nowadays, high schools have become very secular establishments, with any mention or discussion of religion or God being scoffed at and written off as fantasy. This chapter from Henry J. Eyring’s book is a fascinating look into his life, and how a scientist of his caliber had to deal with such scientific discoveries affecting his faith. J. Reuben Clark’s quote about “intellectual courage” I believe is the most profound and important part of this chapter. Clark states that the beliefs of respectable church officials may be shaken, due to fear of rejection from their academic colleagues. I strongly believe that Clark’s supercharged statement to the Saints about these scientific discoveries not changing the ultimate truths of the church is very true and very relevant; God does not change, He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. However, to deny this scientific evidence would be a mistake as well. Discarding the theory of evolution or the Big Bang Theory would almost be ridiculous, due to the massive amount of evidence supporting these theories. But, why do science and religion have to exist as opposites, one without the other? Is it possible that science and religion are intertwined in this world and that people do not have the knowledge or wits to see it? I firmly believe so. While I may have a strong belief in the Gospel and God, I have begun to see more and more that the world around us is the work of our great Heavenly Father. Both Albert Einstein and Max Planck were men of faith; Einstein being a pantheist, and Max Planck being an observant Lutheran. Such men