Chapter 1: The Perceived Conflict

At the heart of the cultural clashes in the United States between liberal and conservative viewpoints is the belief that religion and science are in a continuous conflict. Currently, this divide is becoming increasingly evident as the nation faces nearly 50,000 new COVID-19 cases each day. As someone intrigued by the evolution and influence of ideas, I find myself pondering the origins and persistence of this so-called battle.

Indeed, I argue that there is no war at all. Numerous credible scientists identify as individuals of faith, practicing various religions while also upholding the scientific method and the value of empirical evidence. These individuals resonate with the late evolutionary biologist Stephen Jay Gould’s concept of “non-overlapping magisteria,” which posits that religion and science serve distinct purposes that do not intersect.

Yet, why does this supposed conflict escalate, especially in the context of a global pandemic? The answer is not straightforward, as history is marked by complexity. People are inherently multifaceted.

One possible factor is the Church itself. Rather than narrating the tale of human salvation through the rich and metaphorical accounts found in scriptures, figures like Thomas Aquinas have argued that these texts must reflect scientific truths. Such reasoning has not borne fruit—consider the “Ark Encounter” as an example.

Another contributing factor is the often misleading portrayal of the history of science as a tale of transgression against the Roman Catholic Church, followed by retaliatory actions. The struggles faced by Galileo are compelling, but they represent only one narrative among many.

Some scholars trace the pivotal divide between religion and science back to the seventeenth-century philosopher Rene Descartes and his assertion of "cogito ergo sum." While Descartes emphasized the separation of soul and body, I believe we should instead look back to the fourteenth century and the work of William of Ockham (c. 1287–1347) and his principle known as "Occam's razor." This principle can be succinctly summarized as:

"Entities should not be multiplied without necessity" (these words are attributed to Irish philosopher John Punch, 1639).

Thus, it is futile to discuss “the forms” or “the beyond” that Plato proposed in his influential but problematic work, Timaeus. This text laid the groundwork for European Christian thought.

Photo by Louis Reed on Unsplash

Occam’s razor suggests that Plato's abstract realm cannot be quantified, emphasizing that only through observation and demonstration can we recognize objective reality. It teaches us that while metaphysical speculation can be interesting, it ultimately remains speculation—an idea central to Humanism.

This bifurcation aligns with Gould’s description of “non-overlapping magisteria,” a concept I find to be valid.

Furthermore, an essential (and notably Humanist) aspect of Occam’s razor is “nominalism.” This concept asserts that abstractions, generalizations, and universals are merely useful fictions—“signs.” We should utilize these constructs, but we must always keep in mind that they are just that: mental constructs without existence in the objective world.

No universal truths exist outside of human cognition; everything that exists does so as an individual entity. For instance, there is no such thing as “humankind,” only individual humans.

This lesson can be challenging to grasp, yet it fosters humility and empathy. We are all interconnected, and despite our intellectual pride, we remain ignorant of divine truths, have yet to conquer the coronavirus, and know relatively little about the universe.

What remains clear is that we are all in this together.

If you are interested in delving deeper beyond superficial arguments and clichés, consider exploring Zygon: Journal of Religion and Science. With thought-provoking articles like “The CRISPR Apple on the Tree of Knowledge,” it offers a wealth of knowledge.

Chapter 2: The Narrative of Conflict

The first video, "Hitler's Monsters: A Supernatural History of the Third Reich," examines the intersection of ideology, belief, and historical narratives. It sheds light on how supernatural elements influenced the actions of one of history's most notorious regimes.

The second video, "George Carlin - Stand Up About Religion," offers a humorous yet critical perspective on religion, highlighting the conflicts and absurdities present in the discourse of faith and belief.