Religion and Science

Religion and Science

1. Scientific ideas about the origins of the world and of humanty

   • Big Bang
     • 14-18 billion years ago
     • Started with a release of energy
     • Galaxies formed
     • Gases cooled- Forming planets and stars
     • Evidence
       • Continued expansion of the universe
         • Red shift
       • Cosmic Background Microwave Radiation
   • Evolution
     • Darwin's theory of evolution
     • Species have not always been the same
     • They adapt and change to their surroundings
     • Makes it easier to survive
     • Strongest survive
       • Survival of the fittest
     • Humans one of these species

2. Christian ideas about the origins of the world and of humanity

   • Creation Story
     • Day 1- God created light and darkness
     • Day 2- God created sea and sky
     • Day 3- God created dry land and plant
     • Day 4- God created sun moon stars and seasons
     • Day 5- God created birds and sea monsters
     • Day 6- God created humans and animals
     • Day 7- God rested and blessed the day
   • Fundamentalist- Creationist- Takes story literally
   • Liberal- Story with meaning made to be comprehendable
   • Origins of humans
     • Created on day 6
     • Adam and Eve placed in Garden of Eden
     • Placed in charge of animals
     • Eve disobeyed God so they were thrown out

3. The relationship between the ideas

   • John Polkinghorne- Scientist and Vicar- 'When scientists prove order they prove God'
   • Different time scales- Creationist think it happened 6000 years ago
   • Scientist aren't interested in God
     • Religion- Why?
     • Science- How?
   • Science shows world as random and chaotic
     • Christians say there was plan and purpose

4. Christian views about what sets people apart from animals

   • Christians can form a closer relationship with God
   • Humans were given a soul
     • 'God breathed life into Adam'

5. Christian attitudes towards animals and their treatment

   • Dominion- We are in charge of the animals, and they are ours to do as we see fit

6. Christian ideas about stewardship and their responses to environmental issues

   • Stewardship- We were created to look after God's creations
   • A Rocha
     • Environmentalist group
     • Volunteers look after their local community
   • Shouldn't exploit God's creations
   • 'Earth is the Lord's' -Psalm 24