After a few months hiatus, I'm back with a new post. I think I'm going to take a different approach to this blog. I think I'm going to add my own personal thoughts on various things when I feel inclined to do so.
Today I'd like to write a little about science and religion. I'm taking an English class this semester and we're required to pick a topic for an academic research paper due at the end of the semester. After thinking about which topic I'd like to write about for a little while, I had the thought to write about science and religion pop into my mind. It's a very intriguing and somewhat controversial topic, to say the least, but here are my thoughts on the matter.
Having grown up a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (also LDS Church or Mormon church), I've learned about the Gospel of Jesus Christ all my life. In my teenage years I began to grow interested in science, mostly Physics. I was interested enough that I began reading books on my own, mostly focusing on Quantum Physics. It was during this time that I became acutely aware of a conflict that may or may not be as widespread as I think it is. That idea is science and religion are mutually exclusive. They cannot go together.
I will say that coming from a religious background, it's unsettling to read about prominent scientists declaring that those who believe in God are being deceived, God cannot possibly exist, etc. I would quickly say that Physics is one of my passions in life, but I also believe in God and Jesus Christ. Having the leaders in a field you're passionate about state that you fall into a category of people who aren't smart enough to realize the truth can be a real hit. Enough to make you stop and really think about your position on things.
I will state that I will not argue with belittle those who believe differently from me. If you choose to believe that God does not exist, that is your choice and I'll respect that. All I ask is you return the favor.
After thinking about it, I've come to believe that Science and Religion are not mutually exclusive. I believe they go hand in hand. I believe that God our Heavenly Father created this earth and the heavens, and everything therein. In my opinion, Science is man's way of discovering how it all works. I love Physics and I love learning about how the world works.
It's amazes and fascinates me to learn how everything just fits together and just works. I can consider the puzzles of the Quantum world, with math equations describing the intricate dance and interaction of particles, but I can also look at a sunset and appreciate the beauty that comes from light interacting in our atmosphere.
For one, it's science. For another, it's religion. For me, it's both.
