• Question: Are you religious and what are your views on religion and science?

    Asked by mondon to Hermine, Katy, Laura, Nathalie, Paula on 14 Jun 2010 in Categories: .
    • Photo: Hermine Schnetler

      Hermine Schnetler answered on 13 Jun 2010:

      This is really a very difficult question! I don’t think I am religious and I can’t say I belief in God as a principle, however sometimes I think there are greater forces out there controlling our world. What it is I do not know. So maybe we are just someone elses vitual reality game. Not sure.

      Having said that I do not think religion and science are mutually exclusive. I think religion and science can go hand in hand and it is up to each individual person to decide if they need religion in their life or not.

    • Photo: Paula Salgado

      Paula Salgado answered on 13 Jun 2010:

      Despite having a catholic upbringing, I don’t consider myself to be a religious person now. As I grew up, I started finding it harder and harder to reconcile the religious beliefs I had been taught with the world I saw and lived in.

      I find religious beliefs to be a very personal choice and therefore private, and I obviously respect the beliefs of others.

      As far as science and religion are concerned, I think they should be kept separate. This means science shouldn’t try to prove or disprove any religious beliefs, in the same way religion shouldn’t try to present its beliefs as scientific theories or stop particular scientific developments because they might contradict its beliefs.
      That obviously doesn’t mean scientists can’t have religious beliefs or that religious people can’t be scientists – its a personal choice that just doesn’t reflect or affect your career choice!

      Hope that clarifies my views for you! 😉

    • Photo: Katy Mee

      Katy Mee answered on 14 Jun 2010:

      Hi there,

      No i’m not religious, neither of my parents are religious so religion was never part of my upbringing (although I was taught about religfion at school like everyone else). However, we live in a very diverse country and it’s important to firstly try and understand people’s religious beliefs and secondly to have respect for them. In term’s of how science and religion fit together, well I’m an evolutionist, I don’t believe in the ‘great creation’ but just because that’s what i believe doesn’t mean it’s what others should. I wouldn’t push my views onto anyone else but i have to acceppt that people think differently and it’s that tolerance that allows to live in a very open and generally free society.We’re very lucky in Britain that we have the freedom to express our views beliefs openly and I think that’s the most important issue – there are so many countries around the world where people don’t have that opportunity to freely express their beliefs without being persecuted for them, so for that I’m very grateful!

      Hope that answers your question.

      Katy

    • Photo: Nathalie Pettorelli

      Nathalie Pettorelli answered on 14 Jun 2010:

      Hi there,

      No, I’m not religious – but it does not mean that I think that religion and science are and should be mutually exclusive. History shows that many scientists were religious and many priests turned out to be great scientists – the success of these associations being quite variable though. I think the key is in how people relate to religion and what they associate with it. Some believe that god(s) is/are behind each action and being, some see god(s) as simple observer(s) – which ideas and beliefs are associated with each individual’s religiousness is probably key to how science and religion can coexist within that individual’s mind.
      Hope that answers the question 🙂
      Have a great day
      Nathalie

    • Photo: Laura Dixon

      Laura Dixon answered on 14 Jun 2010:

      I don’t follow any traditional religions but do believe in trying to treat others well and being ethically conscious about our lives/decisions. I suppose I have Buddist leanings but don’t have the discipline or faith to truely follow any set practices.
      I think science and religion can co-exist to a point. There are obviously some religions that don’t believe in evolution and other scientifically proven theories but some are starting to realize that science has value too. I think if religion helps you and improves your life, that’s great but it also shouldn’t be forced on others who may believe differently and it shouldn’t ignore scientific progress.

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