Gilbert Lawrence <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
Any religion honoring individuals as 'saints' is no different from other
>scientific fields which honors those who made a major contribution to
the >particular field; or fundamentally inspired others; or shifted the
line of
thinking leading to a paradigm shift in perspective.
Dr.Santosh Helekar commented:
The above equation of religion and science is absolutely wrongheaded. In
no way is religion a scientific field nor is it in any way like a
scientific field.
*** As usual, Dr.Santosh is sounding his trumpet of slogans of conflict
between Science and Religion.
The parallelism between the Saints who have devoted their lives to the
betterment of humankind and the Scientists who have devoted their skills to
the uplift of the quality of life is valid. The Church calls "Saints" those
who have lived a quality of life and worked for the betterment of the
society. Science will praise those who have discovered new
scientific-technological discoveries and have raised the standard of life.
Science does not revere any scientist as a saint, no matter how
eminent.
***Certainly not, that is the task of the Church.
It simply recognizes his or her scientific contribution, and fully
expects
others to modify or improve upon it.
***Logically so, because Science deals with scientific skills.
For example, unlike a religious
committee that recognizes a saint, a Nobel prize committee does not have to
certify that a new science prize winner has performed two miracles.
***Quite right, because Nobel Prize Committee does not canonize Saints.
The contributions of scientists are supported by objective evidence.
***That is why it is called scientific field.
They do not rely on supernatural entities and mechanisms, and they can
always be
confirmed or falsified by others. If falsified, the natural explanations
that were inferred from them have to be modified or replaced by better
supported ones.
***That is the definition of the scientific methodology applied to natural
phenomena.
Science grows step by step through the scientific hypotheses and theoretical
models. Supernatural beings go beyond the scientific realm.
This is not true of supernatural explanations and miracles,
which are accepted entirely based on faith.
***Let me correct the statement: Miracles are assessed by scientific
procedures as being "extraordinary events", beyond the reach of of physical
laws. They will be called "miracles" by theological authorities who ascribe
these events to God through the intercession of the Saints. They are
accepted with prudence. All human means should be used in the case. Miracles
do not discredit Science. They are signs of God's existence. There is no
conflict between the scientific discoveries and Faith.
Regards.
Fr.Ivo
