My Refuge & Strength

“This is my girlfriend’s new tattoo. It represents her belief of science over religion.”

I’m sorry, but I’m pretty tired of how people think they have to choose between science and religion. Science versus religion. Science or religion. Science. Religion. Pick one. One is basically fact, proven, right without a second thought. One is possibly fact, mostly myth, requiring faith.

I see it all the time, from biology classes to mainstream television. In one of the more recent episodes of Glee (yes, I know, I’m a heathen), one of the characters, who happens to be gay, explains why he doesn’t believe in God: “Sorry, but if I wanted to sing about Jesus, I’d go to church. And the reason I don’t go to church is because most churches don’t think very much of gay people. Or women. Or science.” I’ve gone over my views on homosexuality earlier - for the most part. As for women in the church, that’s another topic… But as far as science goes, the “Christian Church” is commonly viewed as a vessel for brainwashing not-so-smart, one-minded people into believing a fairy tale.

Now, I’m no scientist, but I don’t check my brain at the door of the church either. I’ve done quite a lot of research on topics like evolution, the resurrection, Old Testament miracles, etc. I believe it’s completely okay to question things, do some research, develop your own opinions. It is possible to be a Christian and believe in scientific theories. You can still be a Christian and believe in evolution, because it isn’t a salvation issue.

But before I start going off on a tangent, the point I’m trying to make is it isn’t either/or. It doesn’t have to be science over religion or religion over science. It’s possible to combine the two.