1. Science and Religion: The Unbridled Truth
G David Foster, PG
Jackson, MI

2. Science and Religion: The Unbridled Truth
INTRODUCTION:
NOMA – non-overlapping magisteria
“Due to its brevity, this paper uses broad generalizations…”

3. Bronislaw Malinowski
(1884 – 1942)
“In every primitive community… there have been found two clearly distinguishable domains…”

4. Religion and that of Science.
Bronislaw Malinowski
(1884 – 1942)
…the domain of
Religion and that of Science.

5. “…any system of thought and action, that gives each individual…”
(1900 – 1980)
“…any system of thought and action,
shared by a group,
that gives each individual…”

6. “…a framework for [cosmic] orientation
(1900 – 1980)
“…a framework for [cosmic] orientation
and an object of devotion.”

7. From a societal standpoint, RELIGION is one of two
Art Historian
Johannes Gaertner (1912 – 1996)
From a societal standpoint,
RELIGION is one of two
stabilizing influences…

8. “The Ground of our Being”
Tillich
(1886 – 1965)
“The Ground of our Being”
“Leap of Faith”
Christian Existentialist?

9. 1. exists to resolve conflict 2. jury determines “truth”
INTRODUCING the LAW
1. exists to resolve conflict jury determines “truth”

10. RELIGION and the LAW
1. both are subjective 2. both are stodgy 3. both employ deductive logic

11. Deductive Logic:
3 example syllogisms

12. (a) The Christian Bible says, “Love your neighbor.”
Syllogism 1
(a) The Christian Bible says, “Love your neighbor.”

13. Syllogism 1
(a) The Christian Bible says, “Love your neighbor.” (b) I am a Christian, but

14. Syllogism 1
(a) The Christian Bible says, “Love your neighbor.” (b) I am a Christian, but (c) My neighbor is a jerk.

15. Syllogism 1
(a) The Christian Bible says, “Love your neighbor.” (b) I am a Christian, but (c) My neighbor is a jerk. (d) I have to respect him anyway.

16. Syllogism 1
(a) The Christian Bible says, “Love your neighbor.” (b) I am a Christian, but (c) My neighbor is a jerk. (d) I have to respect him anyway ? True or False ?

17. (a) God does not make mistakes.
Syllogism 2
(a) God does not make mistakes.

18. (a) God does not make mistakes. (b) The Bible is the word of God.
Syllogism 2
(a) God does not make mistakes. (b) The Bible is the word of God.

19. Syllogism 2
(a) God does not make mistakes. (b) The Bible is the word of God. (c) Therefore the Bible is totally accurate and every word must be taken literally.

20. Syllogism 2
(a) God does not make mistakes. (b) The Bible is the word of God. (c) Therefore the Bible is totally accurate and every word must be taken literally. True or False?

21. (a) The story of “Noah’s flood” is in the Bible.
Syllogism 3
(a) The story of “Noah’s flood” is in the Bible.

22. Syllogism 3
(a) The story of “Noah’s flood” is in the Bible. (b) The Noah story says that God created the rainbow following the flood and put it in the sky.

23. refraction & reflection
Isaac Newton ( )
Rainbow =
refraction & reflection

24. According to the rules of logic, all 3 syllogisms are TRUE.

25. Contrasting Religion & Law
Religion strives to provide meaning.
Religion is aspirational.

26. Contrasting Religion & Law
Religion strives to provide meaning.
Religion is aspirational.
Legal systems establish minimum acceptable behaviors.
Legal systems strive to keep peace.

27. SCIENCE DEFINED
a cohesive body of related knowledge
which…

28. SCIENCE DEFINED a cohesive body of related knowledge which…
(1) possesses internal logical
consistency,

29. SCIENCE DEFINED a cohesive body of related knowledge which…
(1) possesses internal logical
consistency,
(2) is advanced using the scientific
method, and

30. SCIENCE DEFINED a cohesive body of related knowledge which…
(1) possesses internal logical
consistency,
(2) is advanced using the scientific
method, and
(3) seeks independence from
human values.

31. Characteristics of Science
Scientists are predictors:
F = ma; periodic table;
double helix; plate tectonics
Scientists use Inductive logic:
to work from specific to general case
absolute ”yes” or “no” not acceptable

32. Comparing Science Religion and Law
Science is collegial, while
religion is prescriptive and
law is adversarial.

33. Comparing Science Religion and Law
Science reasons
from observation to conclusions
religion and law reason from
conclusion to observed facts

34. Summary

35. subjective – objective continuum
Reading a scroll in worship
Studying a thin section
SUBJECTIVE
OBJECTIVE

36. subjective – objective continuum
RELIGION
stand at opposite ends
SCIENCE
Totally independent of human values
Totally dependent on human values

37. Summary NOMA doesn’t go deep enough.
Science & Religion stand at opposite ends of subjective-objective continuum.
Not like “apples & oranges.”

38. Sharks & Chevrolets

39. Is there hope? Perhaps it will be your creativity that cuts through the Gordian knot !

40. Thank you for your interest G David Foster, PG e-mail fosteg2@alum.rpi.edu