I read a very good article a few days back. Sharing it with you.
It is often said that there is a great conflict between science and religion. It is true that scientists look doubtfully at scriptural statement that the heavens and the earth were created in a matter of days. From their practical studies of the earth and the heavens, they have proved that creation came into being through a slow evolutionary process, and that the progression of the earth alone, from gases to matter, plants, animal life, and, required millions of years. So there is a great deal of difference between the findings of scientists and a literal interpretation of the spiritual texts. One of the virtues of the true scientist is that he is open-minded. Working from a little data, he experiments until he uncovers verifiable principles of nature and how they work; then he gives to the world the result of his investigations. And he is willing to consider and to research further any new evidence that comes to light. It is the efforts of such scientists that have resulted in the discovery of all the natural laws that have been harnessed for the benefit of world today.
Scientists are often branded as materially minded because of their questioning of unimproved religious beliefs. But God does not condemn them for that. His universal laws operate with impartial justice regardless of man's beliefs. In this sense, God is not a respecter of persons but a respecter of law. He has given us free will, and whether we worship Him or not, if we respect His laws, we shall receive the beneficial results of such regard. A doubting scientist might explain his position in this way. "Even if I don't believe in God, I do try to do what is right. If there is God, He will reward or punish me according to my respect for His laws. And if there is no God, since I am obeying the laws I find to be true, surely I shall receive any benefit there from." So, whether or not they are godless, or making their efforts for material gain, those scientists whose research is uncovering more and more of God's laws are nonetheless working in cooperation with Him to do some good for the world.
Law governs everything in the universe; yet most people have never tried to apply the scientific law of experimentation and research to test religious doctrines. They simply believe, thinking it impossible to investigate and prove scriptural texts. "We have only to believe", they assure themselves and others; and that is to be accepted as all that there is to religion. But the Bible tells us that "faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen". Faith is different from belief, which is only the first step. If I were to tell you that behind this building there is a huge lion, you would probably say, "We don't see how it could be possible". But if I insisted, "Yes, there is a lion there," you would probably believe me to the extent that you would go out and investigate. Belief was necessary in order to make you look into it - and if you didn't see the lion, you would say that I had told you a story! Similarly, if I want to persuade you to make a spiritual experiment, you would have to believe me before you carry it out. You can believe, at least, until you prove differently.
Faith, however, cannot be contradicted: it is intuitive conviction of the truth, and it cannot be shaken even by contrary evidence. Faith can heal the sick, raise the dead, create a new universe. Science is reasonable, willing to alter its views in the light of new facts. It is sceptical about religion only because it has not experimented in that field; although it is now beginning such research at Harvard. Experimental psychology has greatly advanced and is doing its utmost to understand the inner man.
Scientific knowledge is built upon facts. The medical side is fairly well developed, though the causes and cures of certain ailments are yet to be discovered. But what science does know, it is more or less sure about, because the various factors concerned have been tested: theories have been tried and proven. In religion, it is different. People are given facts or truths and told to believe them. After a little while, when their belief is not fulfilled, doubt creeps in; and then they go from religion to religion trying to find proof. You hear about God in churches and temples; you can read about Him in books; but can experience God only through Self-realization attained by practising definite scientific techniques. In India, religion is based upon such scientific methods. Realization is what India specialized in, and those who want God should learn her methods.
There is a definite way to experience God. And what is the way? It is scientific experimentation with religious truths. And put into practice what you believe! It is possible to put religion into practice, to use it as science that you can prove this by experimenting on yourself. The search for Truth is the most marvelous search in the world. Instead of being merely a matter of attending a Sunday service or performing one's puja, religions must have a practical side. Learn how to build your life around spiritual ideals. Without practical application, religion is of little value. It must create some change in you - in your consciousness and in your behaviour.
It is often said that there is a great conflict between science and religion. It is true that scientists look doubtfully at scriptural statement that the heavens and the earth were created in a matter of days. From their practical studies of the earth and the heavens, they have proved that creation came into being through a slow evolutionary process, and that the progression of the earth alone, from gases to matter, plants, animal life, and, required millions of years. So there is a great deal of difference between the findings of scientists and a literal interpretation of the spiritual texts. One of the virtues of the true scientist is that he is open-minded. Working from a little data, he experiments until he uncovers verifiable principles of nature and how they work; then he gives to the world the result of his investigations. And he is willing to consider and to research further any new evidence that comes to light. It is the efforts of such scientists that have resulted in the discovery of all the natural laws that have been harnessed for the benefit of world today.
Scientists are often branded as materially minded because of their questioning of unimproved religious beliefs. But God does not condemn them for that. His universal laws operate with impartial justice regardless of man's beliefs. In this sense, God is not a respecter of persons but a respecter of law. He has given us free will, and whether we worship Him or not, if we respect His laws, we shall receive the beneficial results of such regard. A doubting scientist might explain his position in this way. "Even if I don't believe in God, I do try to do what is right. If there is God, He will reward or punish me according to my respect for His laws. And if there is no God, since I am obeying the laws I find to be true, surely I shall receive any benefit there from." So, whether or not they are godless, or making their efforts for material gain, those scientists whose research is uncovering more and more of God's laws are nonetheless working in cooperation with Him to do some good for the world.
Law governs everything in the universe; yet most people have never tried to apply the scientific law of experimentation and research to test religious doctrines. They simply believe, thinking it impossible to investigate and prove scriptural texts. "We have only to believe", they assure themselves and others; and that is to be accepted as all that there is to religion. But the Bible tells us that "faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen". Faith is different from belief, which is only the first step. If I were to tell you that behind this building there is a huge lion, you would probably say, "We don't see how it could be possible". But if I insisted, "Yes, there is a lion there," you would probably believe me to the extent that you would go out and investigate. Belief was necessary in order to make you look into it - and if you didn't see the lion, you would say that I had told you a story! Similarly, if I want to persuade you to make a spiritual experiment, you would have to believe me before you carry it out. You can believe, at least, until you prove differently.
Faith, however, cannot be contradicted: it is intuitive conviction of the truth, and it cannot be shaken even by contrary evidence. Faith can heal the sick, raise the dead, create a new universe. Science is reasonable, willing to alter its views in the light of new facts. It is sceptical about religion only because it has not experimented in that field; although it is now beginning such research at Harvard. Experimental psychology has greatly advanced and is doing its utmost to understand the inner man.
Scientific knowledge is built upon facts. The medical side is fairly well developed, though the causes and cures of certain ailments are yet to be discovered. But what science does know, it is more or less sure about, because the various factors concerned have been tested: theories have been tried and proven. In religion, it is different. People are given facts or truths and told to believe them. After a little while, when their belief is not fulfilled, doubt creeps in; and then they go from religion to religion trying to find proof. You hear about God in churches and temples; you can read about Him in books; but can experience God only through Self-realization attained by practising definite scientific techniques. In India, religion is based upon such scientific methods. Realization is what India specialized in, and those who want God should learn her methods.
There is a definite way to experience God. And what is the way? It is scientific experimentation with religious truths. And put into practice what you believe! It is possible to put religion into practice, to use it as science that you can prove this by experimenting on yourself. The search for Truth is the most marvelous search in the world. Instead of being merely a matter of attending a Sunday service or performing one's puja, religions must have a practical side. Learn how to build your life around spiritual ideals. Without practical application, religion is of little value. It must create some change in you - in your consciousness and in your behaviour.
