When Science becomes a religion

[Sparko]

Just saw this commercial on TV, where they speak of "science" as if it were a religion we need to put our faith in when times are bad.

Sure, I believe science can help us, but science probably also got us into this mess. But I was just struck by the opening of this commercial where they speak of science as an entity to put faith in.

I will put my faith in God when things are bad.

[Christianbookworm]

Let's see, the all powerful, all knowing, morally perfect Creator and Savior or mere mortals that like figuring stuff out? I would rather trust in God also. Science has its uses, but humans are not infallible. Science is a tool and not a god. God is God and not a tool.

[mikewhitney]

The current scientific efforts seem to be in a quagmire. I remember reading that 50% of the published research is unrepeatable. Also, there are reports of pharmaceutical companies generating false research but then finding a doctor who will accept the notoriety of being the lead doctor/researcher behind it.

Then there was the case of the research promoted by Gates on Chloroquine which, instead of using a inert placebo, is comparing Chloroquine benefits against vitamin C.

If science is currently unreliable, the results certainly are a matter of blind trust rather than reason.

[KingsGambit]

Ultimately, the only thing science can promise is the eventual heat death of the solar system. Not much of a basis for hope.

[Sparko]

Let's see, the all powerful, all knowing, morally perfect Creator and Savior or mere mortals that like figuring stuff out? I would rather trust in God also. Science has its uses, but humans are not infallible. Science is a tool and not a god. God is God and not a tool.

Well said. I think that is what bothered me the most about the commercial. They spoke of Science as a god instead of as a tool used by men. It is a method, a tool, wielded by men. And sometimes misused by men too.

[mossrose]

Ultimately, the only thing science can promise is the eventual heat death of the solar system. Not much of a basis for hope.

God promised that before science did.

[Sparko]

God promised that before science did.

[TheWall]

Ultimately, the only thing science can promise is the eventual heat death of the solar system. Not much of a basis for hope.

Not just the solar system but the entirety of the universe as eventually entropy gets to a point where all energy transfer becomes impossible.

[KingsGambit]

Not just the solar system but the entirety of the universe as eventually entropy gets to a point where all energy transfer becomes impossible.

The fear of death is nearly universal among man, and this is one thing science has no answer for. So I don't see any chance that religion will ultimately go out of fashion no matter what scientific advances take place.

[TheWall]

The fear of death is nearly universal among man, and this is one thing science has no answer for. So I don't see any chance that religion will ultimately go out of fashion no matter what scientific advances take place.

Without a desire to know the truth the various methods of the different sciences would not exist.

[Sparko]

Without a desire to know the truth the various methods of the different sciences would not exist.

True. Christianity was one of the driving forces behind the scientific method. The idea was that God's creation was logical and ordered, so we could study it logically and learn more about our Creator from his creation.

[TheWall]

True. Christianity was one of the driving forces behind the scientific method. The idea was that God's creation was logical and ordered, so we could study it logically and learn more about our Creator from his creation.

That is true. It is interesting to me as well reading works like the socratic dialogues for instance that people understand certain logical laws almost inherently. For example the law of identity.

[seanD]

Just saw this commercial on TV, where they speak of "science" as if it were a religion we need to put our faith in when times are bad.

Sure, I believe science can help us, but science probably also got us into this mess. But I was just struck by the opening of this commercial where they speak of science as an entity to put faith in.

I will put my faith in God when things are bad.

It amazes me how folks ignore how many times scientists made predictions about global catastrophe that were wrong. In fact, though the church has had its false prophets throughout history, scientific predictions that were wrong probably exceed false religious predictions at least two to one, maybe even three to one if we take it back passed the 20th century.

[mikewhitney]

Vaccines are a case where so-called science becomes a religion. There is no ability to discuss whether the image of safety we are given is truly based in science -- in evaluating specific vaccines against placebos for testing safety.

An interesting thing happened years ago when my girl friend, working in a hospital, was told she had to get an MMR shot. She told them she had measles and did not need the shot. But they made her take it. Her shoulder locked up -- she lost a lot of mobility of her shoulder. Eventually she had to get an operation and much physical therapy to restore a decent level of flexibility.