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I have heard a handful of religious people assert that science is just a religion like any other. Their argument is that it takes faith to believe in science, just like in religion. However, science is not based on faith, but instead on something called the Scientific Method.
The Bible defines faith as such (Hebrews 11:1):
"Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."
Science has nothing to do with believing things simply because we "hope" for them. Rather it is based on the evidence of things that *are* seen or observed in the natural world, repeatedly and consistently in multiple laboratories by independent observers.
The scientific method can be defined by the following steps:
- Define the question
- Gather information and resources (observe)
- Form hypothesis
- Perform experiment and collect data
- Analyze data
- Interpret data and draw conclusions that serve as a starting point for new hypothesis
- Publish results
- Retest (frequently done by other scientists)
The steps of religious faith could be defined as such:
- Assertion made by parent, preacher, or book of choice (such as the Bible, Qur'an, Book of Mormon, Dianetics, etc.)
- Accept above assertion without question and without evidence
- Oppose any discussion suggesting assertion could be wrong
Note the glaring lack of performing experiments, analyzing data, and retesting by other sources. Faith is based on hopes and desires, not evidence in the laboratory.
A comparison of Science and Religion
| Assertion |
Science |
Religion |
| Beliefs based on observable evidence in the natural world |
Yes |
No |
| Regularly tests its ideas in multiple laboratories by multiple groups |
Yes |
No |
| Draws conclusions from observable, repeatable experimental test results |
Yes |
No |
| Attempts to disprove previously held theories and assertions, even its own |
Yes |
No |
| If a previously held belief is disproved, it will be discarded |
Yes |
No |
| If an old idea has been around for many years, then a new idea is discovered that does a better job of explaining a phenomenon and stands up better under testing, the new idea will replace the old idea.
| Yes |
No |
| When someone offers up a new explanation or idea based on observable and testable evidence, the explanation will be considered for further testing and acceptance if test results are repeatable in all other laboratories.
| Yes |
No |
| Constantly in search of better explanations and methods |
Yes |
No |
| Actively seeks to learn new ideas and methods from other groups |
Yes |
No |
| Millions of medically documented cases of successful treatment of serious illness and injury |
Yes |
No |
| Considers blind faith a valid reason to hold strong beliefs |
No |
Yes |
| Beliefs held based solely on what parents believe |
No |
Yes |
| Has been the motivation of a high percentage of wars and almost all terrorism throughout human history |
No |
Yes |
| Believes that a book is true because the book says it is true |
No |
Yes |
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