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shaunireads1's review
4.0
This book takes the form of a dialogue between four possible positions on the relationship between science and religion:
1) A scientist, who takes the stance that science and religion are at unbridgeable conflict with each other,
2) A historian and philosopher of science, who believes that science and religion are both valuable, but must occupy non-overlapping spheres,
3) An Episcopalian priest, who argues that science and religion can and should be integrated, and
4) A Baptist pastor, who believes that dialogue between science and religion is important, as long as it is true science (as opposed to "false science" that contradicts his religious beliefs).
I really loved the dialogue format of this book, because it helped me to keep the four positions straight and to understand each point of view. Personally, I found myself straddling the conflict view and the non-overlapping spheres point of view. On the one hand, conflict arises when science and religion attempt to explain the same mysteries (e.g. the beginning of life). For example, natural selection and the Genesis account of the creation can't both literally be true. That's where the non-overlapping spheres ideology steps in. Personally, I believe in natural selection to explain my existence, and Genesis to give deeper meaning to my life. In other words, science is much better than religion at explaining the laws and nature of the universe, while religion is better at dictating morality and giving ultimate meaning to life.
1) A scientist, who takes the stance that science and religion are at unbridgeable conflict with each other,
2) A historian and philosopher of science, who believes that science and religion are both valuable, but must occupy non-overlapping spheres,
3) An Episcopalian priest, who argues that science and religion can and should be integrated, and
4) A Baptist pastor, who believes that dialogue between science and religion is important, as long as it is true science (as opposed to "false science" that contradicts his religious beliefs).
I really loved the dialogue format of this book, because it helped me to keep the four positions straight and to understand each point of view. Personally, I found myself straddling the conflict view and the non-overlapping spheres point of view. On the one hand, conflict arises when science and religion attempt to explain the same mysteries (e.g. the beginning of life). For example, natural selection and the Genesis account of the creation can't both literally be true. That's where the non-overlapping spheres ideology steps in. Personally, I believe in natural selection to explain my existence, and Genesis to give deeper meaning to my life. In other words, science is much better than religion at explaining the laws and nature of the universe, while religion is better at dictating morality and giving ultimate meaning to life.
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