Is the Debate Between Science and Religion Unnecessary?

[Diogenes]

My friend Gary Conkling writes about the potential conflict between science and relgion.
Question for debate: Is there necessarily conflict between science and relgion?

People with religious beliefs often view science as anti-religious, even as an attack on religion. The tension between scientific inquiry and religious zealotry is real. Scientists focus on questions while zealots settle for answers, sometimes based on dubious evidence or misconstrued history.

There is a path through the tension. Scientists don’t have to dismiss a greater force and zealots have to rely on faith rather than crypto-facts. We could someday figure out how the universe truly works, but still never know how it came to be. The desire – and for many the desperate need – to know there is something larger out there larger than life as we know it can yield an emotional calm and an enhanced ability to deal with very real and present distress.
....
Questions are not disbelief. Probabilities are safer to cling to than facts in assessing the universe. The scientific method and faith are not incompatible.

https://garyconklinglifenotes.wordpress ... UfIEseHtLQ

Is there a religion that seeks truth, rather than declaring it?

[Runner]

Another swing and a miss. Science isn't a religion.

False.

Science is a belief system many put blind faith into.

You're really battin' a thousand.

[Tcg]

Nice try, but atheism isn't a religion.

Oh really?

Atheists don't choose to believe that God doesn't exist?

This atheist doesn't, but even if I did it wouldn't make atheism a religion.

Just as all other religions choose to believe the teachings of their doctrines?

Atheism has no doctrines.

Try again.

No need. I was right the first time.


Tcg

[Diogenes]

Nice try, but atheism isn't a religion.

Oh really?

Atheists don't choose to believe that God doesn't exist?

Just as all other religions choose to believe the teachings of their doctrines?

Perhaps you don't understand the definition of 'religion.' Here you go:

re·li·gion
/rəˈlij(ə)n/
noun: religion

the belief in and worship of a superhuman power or powers, especially a God or gods.
"ideas about the relationship between science and religion"

Are you claiming that atheists, those who don't believe in a God or gods, actually DO believe in gods or that they worship superhuman powers? The very definition of 'religion' excludes atheists.

[Jose Fly]

So "Runner" is yet another creationist who comes into a forum, makes grand sweeping declarations about science, ignores questions, and cherry picks which posts he responds to.

It's amazing how consistent of a pattern that is.

[brunumb]

Nice try, but atheism isn't a religion.

Oh really?

Atheists don't choose to believe that God doesn't exist?

Of course not! My brain has considered all the information that it has received and concluded that in all likelihood there are no gods. I did not make a conscious choice to not believe in gods.

It is my position also that most theists do not choose to believe in their God either. They are inculcated with that belief through indoctrination from the day they are born. They largely end up in the religion of their parents and their society in general. The power of cognitive dissonance helps maintain that belief and shield them from anything that offers a challenge to their belief. Peer pressure, rites and rituals further help to maintain their faith.

[brunumb]

This is a debate forum where posters are expected to support their claims. Simply claiming that Google says so doesn't accomplish that.

The point of argument has been addressed and dismissed.

You are likely of the sort that doesn't accept any form of proof whatsoever anyway.

I know that kind well and I don't waste much of my time with them as they never have any sincere intention of discussing/debating anything fairly and intelligently to begin with.

I see that as a back-handed way of saying that you can't support your argument so you will just run with an insult instead. Happens all the time with those that are all too ready to preach rather than support their position.

[Runner]

Perhaps you don't understand the definition of 'religion.' Here you go:

re·li·gion
/rəˈlij(ə)n/
noun: religion

the belief in and worship of a superhuman power or powers, especially a God or gods.
"ideas about the relationship between science and religion"

Are you claiming that atheists, those who don't believe in a God or gods, actually DO believe in gods or that they worship superhuman powers? The very definition of 'religion' excludes atheists.

Perhaps you're a very insincere individual (shocker) since you literally selected the definition, from the multiple definitions, that best suited your purpose.

Here is literally the very next definition for religion in the Webster's Dictionary:
Religion 2. a) any specific system of belief, worship, conduct, etc. often involving a code of ethics and a philosophy.

@Tcg

Everyone has a god. Like it or not. Everyone ... has a god.

Just because you strive to convince yourself that the God of the Bible does not exist, doesn't mean you have not replaced Him with a substitute.

You have a god, maybe it is self, maybe it is science, or something else - drugs, alcohol, money, material things, status, etc.

You have a god, like it or not.

[Runner]

Of course not! My brain has considered all the information that it has received and concluded that in all likelihood there are no gods. I did not make a conscious choice to not believe in gods.

What you just described would be a conscious choice.

It is my position also that most theists do not choose to believe in their God either. They are inculcated with that belief through indoctrination from the day they are born. They largely end up in the religion of their parents and their society in general. The power of cognitive dissonance helps maintain that belief and shield them from anything that offers a challenge to their belief. Peer pressure, rites and rituals further help to maintain their faith.

You don't think Atheists experience the same conditioning to believe what they believe?

And if you claim that there are many who were confronted with the same conditioning as Christians, yet chose to believe otherwise, you are still proving your position incorrect and supporting my argument instead.

[brunumb]

Here is literally the very next definition for religion in the Webster's Dictionary:
Religion 2. a) any specific system of belief, worship, conduct, etc. often involving a code of ethics and a philosophy.

And that still does not apply to atheism. There is no system of belief, conduct, code of ethics or philosophy. It is simply the lack of belief in any gods. That's it. I can't understand this desperate need to reduce atheism to the status of religion.

[Runner]

So "Runner" is yet another creationist who comes into a forum, makes grand sweeping declarations about science, ignores questions, and cherry picks which posts he responds to.

It's amazing how consistent of a pattern that is.

You mean exactly like you do?

How's that foot taste?