d IS SCIENCE A RELIGION ?

Science and religion have been in conflict for hundreds of years as each claims domain over similar territory. Once the heavens had much more religious significance as Galileo found to his dismay. Over time the heavens have been demystified so that now space is more a new region of exploration than veneration for most. The conflict over evolution vs. creation continues 150 years after Darwin, albeit with the new twist of intelligent design. Today the controversy over the use of fetal stem cells in research is in the news. This conflict arises from the differing perspectives of religion and science. Some religions now define the moment a human being begins whereas most scientists see more a continuum of life processes without sacred moments. Scientists see a new area for exploration while the religious see potential for violation of God’s law. These arguments are more than academic debates as they profoundly affect our view of ourselves and how we deal with intimate processes of life. In skirmishes over these vital issues it is perhaps not surprising that we now hear that science just presents another set of beliefs no more or even less significant than religion. Cultural anthropologists recently have weighed in, suggesting that scientists are but a cultural subgroup or cult with a set of customs and beliefs. Science it is said is full of true believers and is the equivalent of a religion. But can science really be a religion? First what are science and religion?