Science and religion don’t always have to conflict.
I’ve heard many say scientists are all atheists, and they don’t believe in God. That’s not true. Theories, at times, are actually supported by religious texts.
For instance, the Big Bang Theory is supported by the Quran. The theory, according to www.nasa.gov, states the universe was created through a huge explosion. The elements we see today are a result of extremely high temperatures and the density of the universe, which fused subatomic particles into chemical elements. Scientists have discovered hydrogen and helium were the ultimate products of the Big Bang. The extremely high density caused the universe to expand rapidly, causing a smoky cloud of hydrogen and helium. When they cooled, it created what we know of today as the universe: stars, galaxies, black holes, etc.
There are many verses that support the Big Bang Theory of the origin of the universe.
First, Allah says in the Quran, “Have not those who disbelieve known that the heavens and the earth were joined together as one united piece, then We parted them? And We have made from water every living thing. Will they not then believe?”(21:30)
Second, Allah says, “Then He [Allah] turned to the sky while it was smoke and ordered it the earth to come into being willingly or unwillingly, they answered: we do come in willing obedience.”(41:11)
Here in these two verses we see Allah gives evidence that the universe started out as one unit-the primal atom-and also talks about the stage when the universe was expanding quickly, causing a smoky cloud.
I’ve heard atheists use the argument that we were created from nothing and use the Big Bang Theory to show it can happen. But what about the primal atom? Who made that? That is why religion does not conflict with this theory. But when I say science doesn’t always have to conflict with religion, I’m pressed to stress the phrase “doesn’t always.”
The theory of evolution clearly contradicts the three monotheistic religions. To say humans evolved from apes is absurd. In all three monotheistic religions-Judaism, Christianity and Islam-we all believe God created Adam and Eve as the first human beings. God says he created us from clay, and he formed us. Adam was a prophet, and there is consensus amongst these three religions that the prophets were all human beings.
It seems these days people turn to science to explain everything that happens. And when science can’t explain something, people reject organized religions and sometimes reject that there is a God.
This is a big problem. We are human beings, and we won’t find the answers to everything. Our minds are limited. Human beings have become very arrogant in thinking that collectively they can solve any problem, cure any disease and explain all natural occurrences.
MSNBC reported that more than 90 percent of Americans believe in God. So why is it hard to believe that our minds have limits? And almost all religions believe God is all-knowing. It’s like the concept of paradise-it lasts forever. Can we as human beings comprehend the concept of something being forever? No, and that is why we should not depend on science to answer all questions.
Unfortunately, I am not knowledgeable enough to pull texts from other religious texts that show how you can believe in science and religion at the same time. But what I can provide is a couple of examples of what I know from the Quran. It is important to note that the Quran to Muslims, primarily, is not a book of science, although it may have some aspects of science in it. The Quran talks about various scientific areas including embryology and geology.
Allah tells us about the formation of a human embryo. “Then We made the sperm into a clot [a piece of thick coagulated blood], then We made the clot into a little lump of flesh, then We made out of that little lump of flesh bones, then We clothed the bones with flesh, and then We brought it forth as another creation. So blessed be Allah, the Best of creators.”(23:14)
Likewise, some aspects of geology are also described in the Quran. “And the Mountains as pegs.”(78:7). This fact that the mountains extend deep down into the lithosphere and that they play a role in stabilizing the earth, hence the word “peg” is most appropriate to describe them. This has just recently been discovered.
These are just a few examples of how believing in many aspects of science doesn’t necessarily make you a disbeliever in God. We should realize science will not answer all of our questions. That is part of being a human being.
—–Contact Shirien Elmasraya at selmasraya@lsureveille.com