Ofwono, religion and science do not conflict
Jan 18, 2005
Ofwono Opondo’s discussion between science and religion is just a misunderstanding of how the two disciplines operate or relate with each other.
Abraham Ahabwe
Ofwono Opondo’s discussion between science and religion is just a misunderstanding of how the two disciplines operate or relate with each other.
There is wisdom in Martin Luther King Jr’s words in his book Strength to love. He says, “There may be a conflict between soft-minded religionists and tough-minded scientists but not between science and religion.
Their respective worlds are different and their methods dissimilar. Science investigates, religion interprets. Science gives man knowledge, which is power; religion gives man wisdom, which is control. Science deals mainly with facts, religion deals mainly with values. The two are not rivals, they are complimentary. Science keeps religion from sinking into crippling irrationalism and paralysing obscurantism. Religion prevents science from falling into the marsh of absolute materialism and moral nihilismâ€.
There is also the mistake of thinking that Christianity is a religion. That is a lie though a common one. More than being a set of beliefs and rules that men subscribe and belong to, Christianity is a God-initiated relationship between Himself and mankind whose consequences manifest in human relations. Religion is man’s definition of what God desires and /or the expression of that definition in normal behaviour.
Religion therefore is man’s initiative while Christianity is God’s. That is why the taste of true Christianity based on doctrines, and history is partial without the human experiences of it, which may not be easily quantifiable and measurable. in the end we project the seemingly non-factual religion as a forgery. It is fine for someone, while learning, to reach a stage and say that what they are trying to discover is a forgery, as Ofwono does.
He should therefore not jump to a conclusion about the authenticity of Christianity like any student of life would give a benefit of doubt on any matter.
The reality of more than a billion people following a Saviour, Jesus Christ and expressing their faith in several denominations is much more than can be defined or denied by history although we can honour what it has to say.
Prof Gilbert Bukenya was wrong to go into a traditional shrine while still professing his Roman catholism. Rather than defend our mistakes, which doesn’t change them anyway, we should learn to repent and apologise.
Bukenya perhaps visited the shrine more in his capacity as a vice president than a Catholic, whichever takes priority for him.
The writer is a teacher
Ends
Ofwono Opondo’s discussion between science and religion is just a misunderstanding of how the two disciplines operate or relate with each other.
There is wisdom in Martin Luther King Jr’s words in his book Strength to love. He says, “There may be a conflict between soft-minded religionists and tough-minded scientists but not between science and religion.
Their respective worlds are different and their methods dissimilar. Science investigates, religion interprets. Science gives man knowledge, which is power; religion gives man wisdom, which is control. Science deals mainly with facts, religion deals mainly with values. The two are not rivals, they are complimentary. Science keeps religion from sinking into crippling irrationalism and paralysing obscurantism. Religion prevents science from falling into the marsh of absolute materialism and moral nihilismâ€.
There is also the mistake of thinking that Christianity is a religion. That is a lie though a common one. More than being a set of beliefs and rules that men subscribe and belong to, Christianity is a God-initiated relationship between Himself and mankind whose consequences manifest in human relations. Religion is man’s definition of what God desires and /or the expression of that definition in normal behaviour.
Religion therefore is man’s initiative while Christianity is God’s. That is why the taste of true Christianity based on doctrines, and history is partial without the human experiences of it, which may not be easily quantifiable and measurable. in the end we project the seemingly non-factual religion as a forgery. It is fine for someone, while learning, to reach a stage and say that what they are trying to discover is a forgery, as Ofwono does.
He should therefore not jump to a conclusion about the authenticity of Christianity like any student of life would give a benefit of doubt on any matter.
The reality of more than a billion people following a Saviour, Jesus Christ and expressing their faith in several denominations is much more than can be defined or denied by history although we can honour what it has to say.
Prof Gilbert Bukenya was wrong to go into a traditional shrine while still professing his Roman catholism. Rather than defend our mistakes, which doesn’t change them anyway, we should learn to repent and apologise.
Bukenya perhaps visited the shrine more in his capacity as a vice president than a Catholic, whichever takes priority for him.
The writer is a teacher
Ends