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Of course, there are many, many, many more books
written about science or written about religion, than there are about reconciling
the contradictions between science and religion. For good reason. There are
serious differences and tears in the matrix. And some of the discontinuities
appear irreconcilable. If you are reading this book, you most likely have had access to some of these different arguments.
Differences between science and religion provide the
interesting aspects of seeking truth. As mentioned above, it seems truth is
often found near a paradox. For instance, in 1927 Werner Karl Heisenberg
introduced his famous uncertainty principle.5 This theory states both the
position and momentum of a subatomic particle cannot be determined precisely
at the same time. This is the ultimate scientific paradox. It defines
limitations on understanding atoms, electrons, photons, and the other basic
building blocks of everything we experience in life. And since we can not
simultaneously measure the location and the energy of these basic building
blocks of the universe, we must take one of the two measurements entirely on
faith each time we measure the other one. So, as in most cases, within the
paradox are both axes of the science - religion matrix, or what might be
called the measurement - faith matrix.
Think about how this same type of paradox
occurs with the spiritual side of our personal lives. For example,
when we allow ourselves to be vulnerable, we find we are
invulnerable.6 Nothing is
about us, and yet everything we experience is about you and about
me.7 Several sites on the
Internet quote Dwight D. Eisenhower as saying "Plans are nothing;
planning is everything."8
On an intimate personal or business relationship level, we are often
attracted to the very person who will bring up our most personal issues.9, 1.5
The bright side of this paradox is that
when we don't personalizing everything, we find we have developed a mature
relationship with our nemesis. Scientists often find similar "mature"
relationships with their data.
Isn't it interesting how many significant scientific
advances have been made by men and women of faith, or at least men and women with
strong religious backgrounds? There are many lists of significant contributors.
Table 1 complies and adds to some lists put together by Time Magazine in 1999.
Studying the lives of those who made a difference, it often appears as if the
background and circumstances of these individuals prepared their minds, and they
were willing to be open to new ways of looking at a problem. Then new ideas were
planted in their minds, recognized, and eventually shared with the world.
Many who contribute positively recognize the impact of a source of creativity
outside themselves. A spiritual source of information, knowledge, and wisdom.
I certainly do.
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paradoxes