Nothing is harder than science. All the answers are there - they have to be because they're intrinsic to the process that raises them. But the answers aren't all known, and the questions keep changing.This quote from R. Joseph Hoffman, professor of religion at Wells College, illustrates one of the great divides between science and religion. Like most quotes, it contains a germ of truth but can we take it at face value?
Nothing is easier than religion. The questions are there, of course, glorious in their changelessness. But the Answer is known and is wonderful in its simplicity.
I think one could make a good case for just the opposite - Science is easy, Religion is hard. After all, science is based on observable, repeatable, verifiable facts. If we fair to detect something today, tomorrow we might be able to build a better detector and find that fact that has been eluding us. Einstein's theories put forth in 1905 could not be verified or disproven until decades later when technology had developed sufficiently. Cold atomic fusion reported by University of Utah scientists in 1989 raised hopes about a cheap and safe energy source that seemed too good to be true. It was. Attempted verification by other scientists quickly threw a wet blanket on that enthusiasm. Verification or faslification in science is relatively easy.
Religion on the other hand is hard. We pray for a cure and receive more sickness, perhaps to increase our strength of character or patience. We plant seeds of hope, often to reap weeds of despair. People don't respond like elements. Something that worked for Johnny won't work for Jimmy. Of course, often god does work a miracle in our life or that of a loved one. But then we're that much more aware that it was a miracle and that the next time we might not be so fortunate. Promises of rewards in the life after this sometimes sound too good to be true. But technology will never advance far enough to verify or disprove that. Only dying will. Religion really is hard.
No comments:
Post a Comment