Soapbox Post

The same week that we listened to a lively conversation on the compatibility of religion with science at the CSPO Rightful Place of Science? Conference in May, my 5th grade son was playing (complete with a powdered, curly wig) Sir Isaac Newton at his school’s Living History Museum project. He had also researched and written a paper on the man, and was struck by the fact that while he was a great scientist, he was also very religious – and in his museum display he included quotes that illustrated both of these aspects of Newton.  Of course he was also interested in the suggestion that Newton’s eccentricity later in life might have come from his work in alchemy and the accompanying chemical exposure, but that’s another discussion.

I was struck that my son notices this potential or apparent ‘tension’ in the life of Newton, so I asked him how he thought the scientist was able to reconcile with the religious man.  To Andre (my son), this was not at all difficult to answer.  First he replied that, well, at that time nearly everyone was religious, so why wouldn’t he be? Furthermore, he suggested that what Newton was studying – gravity, laws of motion, and math – were not so contentious and easier to reconcile with religious belief, than, say, evolution….

This got me thinking . . . Scientific research and discovery, and religion, both evolve within particular societal contexts; hence their relationship would evolve as well.  Furthermore, religious institutions have been the main organized response to science, leading to some extreme and counterproductive reactions over the centuries; but at the same time these institutions are often the ones to start the discussion – raise the ethical issues, etc.  Recently the Vatican produced a response to the announcement that scientists had created an artificial cell.  The response was measured, and largely positive, noting that this could be a good thing if it is used to treat illness, though warned against ‘acting like God’ and creating life.  The interesting point, however, is the fact that the religious sphere is the arena in which a discourse is taking place about this discovery.  There are a myriad of responses to the Vatican statements online, and a lively discussion is taking place.  I guess this would lend support for a role for religious institutions in considering the impact of science on society, but it also makes one wonder how secular institutions can enter into the discourse with as much visibility.