1b: How does religion make sense

of the world?

Introduction: Student Worksheet 1

Science and spirituality

Many scientists through out history have sought to understand the world we live in because of their faith.

Adam Hart Davis (1943- ) Scientist & Broadcaster and TV Personality

"Science is lovely stuff - it's the best way we have of examining the universe and trying to work out the secrets of nature. The ideas of Science are often beautiful, and so is nature itself, from quarks to woodlice and from galaxies to DNA. Photography is an excellent way to bring out that inherent beauty...... "

(Adam Hart-Davis, The Daily Telegraph February 12 2003)

Albert Einstein (1879-1955) Physicist and Nobel Prize Winner

Einstein wrote that the emotional state which enables great scientific achievements to be made is “similar to that of the religious person or the person in love.”

(From A.Pais ‘Subtle is the Lord’: the science and the Life of Albert Einstein. Oxford: OUP 1982, pg 27)

Now answer these questions

1What is excites Dr Hart-Davis about Science?

2What fills him with wonder?

3What are his enthusiasms?

4How do you think scientific discoveries and religious faith can be thought of as similar according to Einstein?

5‘believing in the unbelievable is part of who we are, it’s a nature part of us.’ Explain to a partner what you think about this quotation – do you agree or disagree with it? Can you explain why?

6Are science and religion incompatible? What do you think?

Unit 1b: How does religon make sense

of the world?

Introduction: Worksheet 1

Note: You need to have access to the internet for this activity. Choose one of the following.

Francis Collins(1959-)

is a Christian, as well as a scientist. He says that his faith in God is the most important organising principle in his life, and that he sees nothing inconsistent with being a scientist and a Christian. He has been an important part of the Human Gene project.

OR

Owen Gingerich (1930-) is professor of Astronomy and the history of science at Harvard University, USA, and also senior Astronomer, Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA. He is fascinated with stars and planets and how our universe works.

“As a scientist, I accept scientific explanations as working hypotheses because they give a coherent, interlocking structure for our understanding of the universe. This intricately dovetailed system is vast in its panorama of space and time and astonishing in its range of analysis, from the cores of atoms to the molecular patterns of heredity to the star-spangled sky above. But science fails in discussing purpose and conscience. For me, the coherence of my total view of the universe includes a purposeful Creator who continues to act within Creation.”

“While we can see elements of deliberate intelligent design in the cosmos, the best we can do in looking at the natural world is to deduce a God of very large numbers. For a God of infinite love, a God who would be known to us, we must seek evidences of the divine through the inspiration of prophets through all ages and in many cultures.”

To do: Access , and look for information on Francis Collins (you can read his words as well as watch the video clips of him speaking to you) to answer these questions:

1Who is Francis Collins / Owen Gingerich

2What is he known for?

3What would you say are his main interests?

4Explain the spiritual beliefs that motivate him / or about the universe interlock

5Francis: What spiritual ideas from Christianity is he putting into practice in science?

5Owen: If you could meet Prof. Gingerich, what one question would you want to ask him and why?

Be ready to present your findings to your teacher.

Final questions

  • Having read that there are scientists who have a religious belief – has this shocked or surprised you. Try and explain the reasons why in your answer.
  • Why do you think that these scientists find there are no problem between their faith and their work?
  • Is there such a thing as spiritual science?

Science and Religion in Schools Project

Unit 1b – How does religion make sense of the world?