If someone were to ask you, what do you think are greatest creations of man? What would you answer?
Think about it? Its simple, there are only two creations of note, both of which have shaped our collective destiny in ways that couldn't have been imagined by the pioneers who laid their foundation.
Science and religion. Sadly, both of them have been in perpetual conflict, feeding on each other's insecurities, mounting violent attacks on their respective proponents.
Lets focus on religion first. To say that religion was given to us by some supernatural power is an insult to those minds which constructed this beautiful edifice of human thought. Religion is a human construct. That is nothing to be ashamed of. The amazement that fills the mind when one reads the profound philosophical questions raised by the vedas and the upanishads is unmatched, it is only fair to say that the minds which gave birth to such beautiful works are the prime source of our reverence for the almighty. Why should we be defensive about this? The reality however is different. Sacred texts are held as the ultimate source of wisdom. They are unquestionable, to suggest some rethinking is considered blasphemous. Surely, the men who could put their minds to such profound questions, couldn't have been so narrow minded. We have sadly been very poor inheritors of a great legacy.
Science was borne out of questions of a different kind. It emerged from man's physical interaction with his environment and blossomed into a structure so dynamic and awe-inspiring that human fortunes are closely tied to it. One might argue that science has often been used to kill and maim. But then, when hasn't man killed and maimed his fellow beings? It is only fairly recently that ethical questions have crept into the practice of science. Science, for a major portion of its history was not an end in itself, it was a tool of subjugation and murder. To disagree with this is to fall into the proverbial hole of self-deception. But science has moved on, powered by men who had more questions than answers and the rest is history.
To be continued----Why science and religions are not the best of friends..
Good one da..! Here is the thing. People who created religion did not create science. So obviously when science came to the fore, it was thought of something that might challenge the very fundamental guidelines set by religion(s) so that people lead a good, sound life. But the sad irony is that though both science and religion have their roots set on improving human life, both have miserably failed to the extent that science and religion have been used to fight and kill over..!! Sad..! The wicked evil human brain...!
ReplyDeleteTuring is reported to have said "Science is a differential equation, Religion is a boundary condition".
ReplyDeleteAnd check out Dirac's impassioned speech about religion - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Dirac#Religious_views
He just says religion is a product of man's imagination!! That ties up with what you ahve written.
ReplyDelete" Surely, the men who could put their minds to such profound questions, couldn't have been so narrow minded. " well said sir
ReplyDelete