The conflict between science and religion in matters of the creation of the world and man, and unity - in discussions about charity and humanity

The paper “ The Conflict Between Science and Religion in Matters of the Creation of the World and Man, and Unity” is a thoughtful variant of a term paper on social science. Freud in his psychological studies likened religion to an illusion, which is made stronger by the fact that it is representative of man’s instinctual desires to be protected, loved and provided for (Freud and Strachey, 1975). According to Freud and Strachey (1975), Religion is man’s way of controlling the sensory world he finds himself in. This sensory world has come to exist because of what man has wished for in order to cope with his biological and psychological needs. Freud and Strachey (1975) further stipulate that man’s weaknesses and his helplessness was responsible for the development of religion. The need to explain what man did not comprehend led to his attributing these phenomena to a higher deity.

The teachings about facts that characterize religion help man understand external and internal realities he has most likely not discovered on his own. Thus these teachings become his beliefs (Freud and Strachey, 1975). These beliefs provide information that man perceives to be intriguing and very important and as such, this information is highly valued and priced. As such, when man includes these beliefs in his knowledge is deemed richer as compared to one that has not and is viewed as ignorant (Freud and Strachey, 1975).

In Freud’s philosophical studies, he argues that religion and science are incompatible and that any attempt to make them compatible will most likely fail (Freud and Strachey, 1975). Debates on the role of religion in the public domain have taken the center stage in the 21st century. According to Freeman (2014), Religious issues are attracting a huge amount of attention especially among scholars and especially the public’s discourse on religion as an entity. This is mainly with regards to the steps taken to legitimize the role of religion and in particular faith in the public domain and this remains rather under-researched. In establishing liberal equality, public discourse on religion serves as a principal source for morality and strives to separate itself from scientific or evidence-based criteria that govern society and the public (Freeman, 2014).

In a debate on whether science and religion are compatible, the majority of the scientists claim to believe in evolution while still insisting that science does not conflict religion (Freeman, 2014). The truth regarding this belief is entirely dependent on how religion is defined in any argument. For example, if religion is referred to as sympathy or charity or humanity then the two do not conflict. Additionally, if religion refers to the teachings of prophets, seers, and messengers of God regarding the emotions of sympathy, humanity or charity then there is no conflict between religion and science (Freeman, 2014). However, if religion refers to the explanation regarding creation as the origin of man and the earth, the drowning of the entire earth in a flood and the ark saving a pair of each and every species and the immaculate conception of the Virgin Mary and if all these must be believed when one is religious then science definitely conflicts religion (Freeman, 2014).

Freeman (2014) explains that Scientists argue that science is mainly objective and strives to provide an explanation for every phenomenon encountered and in doing so answer man’s questions regarding his origins and that of the universe. Religion, on the other hand, helps man perceive the beauty of nature and provides inspiration through religion, faith is established which is the belief in the unknown and unseen.

According to Freeman, in modern times, science has taken up most of the roles traditionally played by religion and as such science seems is mistaken as another religion (2014). This situation is however complicated and insistence that this is a fallacy is often interpreted as claims that science is the one true religion further conflicting the two.

In previous years, religion played the role of answering basic questions that man could not explain. The origin of the universe, the origin of man, morality and the relationships between humans and that between humans and the rest of the universe was explained by religion. However, science is slowly but surely taking up this role in answering these questions. Science explains that the universe originated from a big bang, humans resulted from the evolution of simple organisms over millions of years and morality resulted from the evolution of primitive man.

Science’s perspective may be subject to a lot of debate with creationists disagreeing with how science answers fundamental questions but science does exist and its influence is felt even in those who are religious (Freeman, 2014). Religion and science form the basis for man’s view of the world. Man’s perspective regarding the universe and everything in it forms his worldview. By answering these questions, both science and religion are responsible for the different and often overlapping worldviews.