Religion and science

Religion doesn't 'oppose' science at all. Religion only acknowledges a reality that isn't discussed by science. Religion sees an extra dimension in existence. It sees another force at work throughout the physical reality. And religion perceives that force above all when the chain of cause and effect is broken.

Prophets and sages have understood that one can explain everything, except that which steps out of the predetermined. Love brakes the circle of violence and the patterns of egoism even though, sociologically, those are expected. Forgiveness breaches the reactions of reproach and anger even though, psychologically, those are expected. Spirituality cuts through the obsession with matter and the desire for possession even though, biologically, those are expected.

In short: the determinism that science proposes, gets breached every day by grand and small acts of self-giving.

And when the prophets and sages explain us why this happens, they don't do so by offering us a 'rational and scientific explanation' but through their examples they show us in a spiritual way how every soul can reach such an unexpected self-giving.

And therein lies the difference between religion and science. Prophets and scientists don't oppose one another as if they would preach different 'truths' about the same topics, but they answer different questions. Scientists explain how matter technically works, prophets explain what the soul has to do to escape the circle of suffering and violence. Science explains the world, religion transforms the heart.

Of course religion and science aren't completely separated. They intertwine on many levels and thus the dialogue between them can bring about extremely fascinating discussions. But to see them as enemies is absurd. The one who understands them properly will therefore see that they do not destroy one another but that they are complementary.