Re: paleonet science-faith relationship

I agree with you. What I meant is that they are two different  
endeavors. On the part of science, to understand the material world.  
On the part of religion, to do right and good, to use our hearts and  
to be kind. They are, of course, connected within a single person but  
they are different endeavors.

Judith

On Dec 15, 2005, at 12:22 PM, Dr. David Campbell wrote:

>> "Science cannot be involved in religion and religion cannot be
>> involved in science."
>
> Part of the problem is defining the type of involvement.  Religions
> typically include a number of moral directives that are good for
> science, e.g. don't lie, don't steal, etc.  Religions also tend to
> encourage doing good work.  One doesn't have to have a religion to do
> good, honest work, but religion can provide a strong impetus for it.
> At a more abstract level, religion can provide a suitable (or
> unsuitable) framework for doing science.  For example, the combination
> of belief in the orderly and physical nature of the world and of
> belief in the value of doing work (found, among others, in Judaeo-
> Christian-Islamic views) is conducive to doing science, whereas
> believing that natural phenomena are produced by the whims of numerous
> unpredictable and competing deities is not.
>
> On the other hand, science can provide some input regarding certain
> religious claims.  Archaeology and related fields are often relevant.
> Religious claims that are more in the superstition line (e.g.,
> astrology) are often amenable to scientific testing and disproof.
>
> -- 
> Dr. David Campbell
> 425 Scientific Collections Building
> Department of Biological Sciences
> Biodiversity and Systematics
> University of Alabama, Box 870345
> Tuscaloosa AL 35487-0345  USA
>
>
>

judith harris
emerita professor
university of colorado museum
boulder, co
harrisj@valornet.com
505-756-1813