A conversation: Science and Religion
Science was blushing with happiness and jumping around trees like there is no tomorrow; then it saw religion sitting lonely and sad under the shade of a tree.
Science thought it does not sound reasonable to behave overly gleeful in front of someone who is feeling gloomy, it hides its big smile as it approaches close to religion and asks what makes him Sad on such a beautiful day.
Religion smiles and looks around and nods his head in agreement, “Yes, everything is balanced and peaceful as kept in check by the Creator of all creation; but what made you jumping today?”
Science could not control his happiness and stated, “Why I should not be happy; every human adores me; they love me; they think about me all the time. I have taken over every aspect of human civilization like I have never. I have enabled humans to explore the universe; provided them with various energy sources; improved health and provided food abundance. Ah, I do not know why God in all of history made me so famous now, but I am enjoying all this attention.”
Now science realizes it never asked religion about why it was sitting lonely and gloomy; it thought it would be because nobody cares about it and make fun of it; obvious? Anyway, it is always good to confirm the hypothesis, so it asked.
Religion was amused at it, “Why I would blame myself if people do not believe in me or give me attention; I came from the creator, and it plans what it wills. Though as far as humans are concerned do not you see that humans have free will, they can do what they want while they stay in this world. They are enjoying God-like characteristics: Freewill, which shows how much the creator loves them.”
Science then scratches its head; rolled its eyes and asked again, “But then why are you Sad?!!”
Religion: “Ah me; I am sad at the fact I see most people despite my presence not able to reach God and I am afraid they will become a fuel of hell fire; maybe I am not doing my job well, but it is not me who is being judged in this world it is the action of the human creation for whom this grand stage has been set.”
Science, thought for a while and said, “Can I help change the equation?” But then answered itself, “I work on the concept of opening knowledge to humans where their observation can reach; I do not work on the concept of absolute truth, I open questions in the human mind and then help them reach to a definite answer; but then more question and observation open new venues to question old result and hence the journey of questioning continues. So, I am not sure what I can do to save my followers.”
Religion nodded in agreement and then responded, “I have provided the capability to humans to view objects as a whole, rather than their constituents, and reach the creator through reflection on signs that are placed in them and across the universe.
“In some cases, I and you are similar but in so many ways we are different.”
Religion proceeded, “Unfortunately, humans think we are the negative of each other, and they must take a side in accepting us; how wrong they are to conclude that. We both belong to our creator and we both are a way of acquiring truth; we both are dynamic and progressive, and we both are here to help humans triage through this maze of complexities which it has found itself during the temporary transition on earth.”
Science responded, “I think humans are confused because I have induced in them a concept to question everything; understanding a concept of finitude and the absolute is alien to them. Modern man has become trained to see the world in terms of physical phenomenon, and laws of physics, and anything which cannot be explained based on it comes into a bucket of agnosticism.
While, Religion, you call people to a concept that cannot be changed which is final, absolute; since the words of the creator cannot be questioned.”
Religion smiled and answered, “It is not entirely true that I am constant, do you see anything in this world, which is in a state of rest, nothing can afford to be doing nothing, or else it will cease to exist. Then how can I be final?
“Consider if humans discover a black hole today, does it mean the black hole is originated today? The phenomenon was happening for centuries; it’s the human capacity to see it today. Similarly, I have a lot of gold mines hidden in me, it is up to the explorer to identify them and be the observer. It is the possibility of human consciousness that it wished to achieve, but I agree the creator has made some dos and don’ts evident through me which cannot be changed, but it's based on wisdom and not to show authority.
“Also, most people forgot that I am open to interpretation and reaching consensus based on human judgment of the current time. It’s entirely possible a community of people read me and come to different conclusions according to their knowledge and consensus of a certain problem; while another community reaches a different understanding based on their interpretation. I can provide meaning to anyone living anywhere in any space or time dimension. Do you still see me as fixed?”
Science being put in a spot hurriedly replied, “No, I do not. But do you see I could be wrong, but any interpretation derived through a divine text cannot be wrong; I explore the curiosity of the human mind maybe that is what pulls humans toward me; I give them the chance to be proven wrong.
“But I wonder what the height of excitement will be when a person would be lost in the idea of God, the ultimate consciousness, the idea of being the first and being the last, of being everywhere but not to be seen. Would anyone want to ever come back from such an experience?”
Religion, while agreeing continues, “We are two sides of the same coins, both provide a pathway to reach the creator of the heavens and earth, but our pathways are different; I am created to provide information to humans which is beyond the realm of space and time — the judgment days, the presence of angels, evil and its forces, the existence and meaning of life.
While the idea of science and things in nature is already incorporated in the human mind, which it is exploring as time erodes; it makes him explore nature and understand its intricacies like has never been done by any creation.
“I can only hope that this impatient creation does not keep inching away from its creator, in search of truth but blinded by ego.
“But if the creator has given human free will and the ability to judge, how I am to question the majesty of my lord? The thing that made me the saddest is the potential of what a human, a perfect mix of body and soul, can achieve. However, but accept to become only dust.”
