Episode 4: New Science-Religion Dialogue (Religious Community), Dawkins Criticism of Dialogue

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Del curso dictado por University of Alberta

Science & Religion 101

32 calificaciones

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University of Alberta

Science & Religion 101

32 calificaciones

This course examines the nature of both science and religion and attempts to explore the possible relationships between them. The primary purpose is to dispel the popular myth that science and religion are entrenched in a never-ending conflict. As a result, this course argues that if the limits of both science and religion are respected, then their relationship can be complementary. Topics include: Science and Religion Categories and Foundational Principles, Definitions of Science and Religion, Science-Religion Models and Relationships, Intelligent Design and Natural Revelation, the Galileo Affair, Geology and Noah’s Flood, Evolution and Darwin’s Religious Beliefs, the Modern “Evolution” vs. “Creation” Debate, the Problem of Evil, and Interpretations of the Biblical Accounts of Origins in Genesis 1-11. The course employs a Constructive Teaching Style in order that students can develop their personal views on the relationship between science and religion and on each of the topics listed above. St. Joseph's College is a Catholic, undergraduate, liberal arts college on the University of Alberta campus. It is an independent institution that is affiliated with the University of Alberta.

De la lección

Introduction

During the first week of the course we will introduce the new and exciting Science-Religion Dialogue and point out that simple dichotomies and conflations lead to the commonly perceived warfare relationship between Science and Religion. As an initial move away from the conflict approach, this section examines the longstanding notion of a peaceful relationship known as the “Two Divine Books.” The Book of God’s Words is Scripture; the Book of God’s Works is nature. The definition of numerous categories (or terms) will begin the process for you to think critically about the issues and to defend your provisional position on the relationship between Science and Religion. We also introduce the first of the two foundational principles in this course. It is a philosophical principle termed “The Metaphysics-Physics Principle.”

Episode 1: The Problem: Science & Religion Warfare9:09

Episode 2: Common Understanding of "Religion" & "Creation"6:33

Episode 3: Lamoureaux's Position. New Science-Religion Dialogue (Scientific Community)9:21

Episode 4: New Science-Religion Dialogue (Religious Community), Dawkins Criticism of Dialogue7:33

Episode 5: Provisional Science-Religion Relationships & Conclusion5:45

Conoce a los instructores

Denis Lamoureux
Associate Professor
St. Joseph's College

Episode four.

Let's now consider the Religious Community and

the views of two very well-known individuals.

We begin with a Roman Catholic.

In 1996, Pope John Paul the second made

international headlines when he stated in quote six,

"new knowledge leads to the recognition of the theory

of evolution as more than a hypothesis."

For this Pope, evolution is a fact.

Regarding the Bible, Pope John Paul offers a remarkable insight.

He writes sacred scripture wishes simply to declare that the world

was created by God and in order to teach this truth,

it expresses itself in terms of the cosmology,

that is the science in use at the time of the writer.

In other words, when God revealed himself

to ancient people that He was the creator of the world,

He came down to their intellectual level and used

their ancient concepts of the physical world.

Pope John Paul the second concludes the Bible does not wish to teach how heaven was made,

but how one goes to heaven.

As we'll see later in this course,

this aphorism was inspired by Galileo.

From this perspective, the Bible deals with spiritual truths, not scientific facts.

The Roman Catholic Church has no problem with evolution.

The reason is because for Catholics,

the Bible is not a book of science.

To be sure, there are numerous statements about nature and scripture but the Bible

uses the science of the day or in other words, ancient science.

As you will see, the idea that the Bible has

an ancient understanding of the physical world is

a major theme in this course and we will

have a lot more to say about this very important topic.

It is a key in developing a peaceful relationship between science and religion.

Let's now look at another famous Christian leader,

this time an Evangelical Protestant.

Billy Graham is often regarded as one of

the greatest preachers of the Gospel during the twentieth century.

In quote Seven, he states,

"I don't think that there's any conflict at all between science today and the

Scriptures," and then quite bluntly Graham states,

"I think we have misinterpreted the Scriptures many times and

we've tried to make the Scriptures say things they weren't meant to say.

And I think we've made a mistake by thinking the Bible is a scientific book."

In sharp contrast to Henry Morris' belief that the Bible is a book of science,

Billy Graham asserts, "the Bible is not a book of science,

the Bible is a book of redemption."

In other words, the Bible assists us to have a relationship with God.

Continuing, Graham adds, "and of course,

I accept the creation story.

I believe that God did create the universe.

I believe He created man and whether it came by

an evolutionary process and at a certain point He took this person or being,

and made him a living soul or not does not change the fact that God did create man."

In other words, whether God created humans

instantaneously or through a long process of evolution,

God is still the creator of humans,

according to Billy Graham.

Concluding Graham states, "whichever way God did it makes

no difference as to what men and women are and our relationship to God."

And Graham would say,

"that we all are created in the Image of God and that God loves us beyond measure."

Like Pope John Paul the second,

Billy Graham firmly believes that the Bible is not a book of science.

To be sure, his openness to evolution is not

often heard in Evangelical Protestant churches,

but it's worth pointing out that this is slowly starting to change.

And we'll talk about this shift later in the course in

the section on the modern origins debate.

Returning to our Science and Religion Warfare diagram on page one of the handouts,

we're seeing that within the religious community,

there are Christian leaders like Pope John Paul the second

and Billy Graham who do not have a problem with

biological evolution and they are clearly suggesting

that we do not have to make a choice between Evolution and Christianity.

Instead, we can embrace both.

Let's summarize our findings with regards to

the new science religion dialogue that began during the 1990s.

It is clear, that Science and Religion Warfare is being challenged by

prominent leaders within both the scientific community and the religious community.

The new science religion dialogue is opening up

a middle ground between the extremes of scientism and fundamentalism,

and it is underlining that the science versus religion and evolution

versus creation dichotomies are misguided and mistaken.

Today is a very exciting time for people who love

modern science and who embrace religious faith.

As we proceed through this course,

you will see that there are a wide variety of approaches

for a peaceful relationship between science and religion.

As a university professor,

I believe that it's important for my students to see all sides of a topic.

This to me contributes to a much better education.

So, you need to know that there has been criticism of the new science religion dialogue.

There is no better critic of the new scholarship supporting

a peaceful relationship between science and religion than Richard Dawkins,

who is the most important atheist in the world today.

In quote eight, he asks,

"are science and religion converging?

No. Convergence? Only when it suits,

"to an honest judge."

The alleged marriage between religion and science is a shallow empty spin doctored sham.

In other words, Dennis Lamoureux,

if you're being honest with your students you would be telling them that

the science religion dialogue is utter nonsense.

End of episode.

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