SCIENCE AND RELIGION

ABSTRACT

There is no absolute scientific proof of the presence of The Infinite God; henceforth Its subtle essence cannot be obtained by any one. Religion and science will always clash due to perceived insults to the research and rationality by non-progressive individuals. Spirituality was the domain of the faith but lately science has developed with close alignment. God cannot be completely contained with in nature and therefore God’s existence is outside the science’s ability to weigh in. Scientists are not blind believers but make a critical analysis of the evidence, quite opposite to the religious approach based on blind faith and belief. On the other hand because something is vastly improbable, we need a God to explain it. Since we are profoundly ignorant about certain things we need to work on them like understanding the physiology of conscience to reduce human suffering of pain and depression.

Sikhs believe in the natural, in the unbroken and unbreakable succession of cause and effect under the Will of Absolute Principle/Truth (Eternal God). To live under the Will of God is to accept the present as is. It is not liking or un-liking the facts of the present (or a situation) but accepting it as God’s Will. Guru Arjan in Raag Kanrha ponders;

ਅਨਿਕ ਪੂਜਾ ਮੈ ਬਹੁ ਬਿਧਿ ਖੋਜੀ ਸਾ ਪੂਜਾ ਜਿ ਹਰਿ ਭਾਵਾਸਿ ॥

ਮਾਟੀ ਕੀ ਇਹ ਪੁਤਰੀ ਜੋਰੀ ਕਿਆ ਏਹ ਕਰਮ ਕਮਾਸਿ ॥

ਪ੍ਰਭ ਬਾਹ ਪਕਰਿ ਜਿਸੁ ਮਾਰਗਿ ਪਾਵਹੁ ਸੋ ਤੁਧੁ ਜੰਤ ਮਿਲਾਸਿ ॥੧॥

Anik pūjā mai baho biḏẖ kẖojī sā pūjā jė har bẖāvās. Mātī kī ih puṯrī jorī ki▫ā eh karam kamās.Parabẖ bāh pakar jis mārag pāvhu so ṯuḏẖ janṯ milās. 

I have studied countless ways of worship in all sorts of ways, but that alone is worship, which is pleasing to God's Will. This body-puppet is made of clay - what can it do by itself? O God, those humble beings meet You, whom You grasp by the arm, and place on the Path. -----Guru Arjun, Raag Kanrha, AGGS, Page, 1304-7

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Guru Nanak’s philosophy always teaches about seeking (searching/science) and spirituality/Divine knowledge as he ponders in Raag Malar and Guru Arjan about evolution IMHO in Raag Gauri;

ਸੇਵਾ ਸੁਰਤਿ ਰਹਸਿ ਗੁਣ ਗਾਵਾ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਗਿਆਨੁ ਬੀਚਾਰਾ ॥

ਖੋਜੀ ਉਪਜੈ ਬਾਦੀ ਬਿਨਸੈ ਹਉ ਬਲਿ ਬਲਿ ਗੁਰ ਕਰਤਾਰਾ ॥

ਹਮ ਨੀਚ ਹੋੁਤੇ ਹੀਣਮਤਿ ਝੂਠੇ ਤੂ ਸਬਦਿ ਸਵਾਰਣਹਾਰਾ ॥

ਆਤਮ ਚੀਨਿ ਤਹਾ ਤੂ ਤਾਰਣ ਸਚੁ ਤਾਰੇ ਤਾਰਣਹਾਰਾ ॥੩॥

Sevā suraṯ rahas guṇ gāvā gurmukẖ gi▫ān bīcẖārā.Kẖojī upjai bāḏī binsai ha▫o bal bal gur karṯārā Ham nīcẖ hoṯe hīṇmaṯ jẖūṯẖe ṯū sabaḏ savāraṇhārā.Āṯam cẖīn ṯahā ṯū ṯāraṇ sacẖ ṯāre ṯāraṇhārā. 

Focusing my awareness on selfless service, I joyfully sing God’s Praises. As Guru oriented, I contemplate spiritual wisdom. The seeker comes forth, and the debater dies down; I am a sacrifice, a sacrifice to the Guru, the Creator God. I am low and wretched, with shallow and false understanding; You embellish and exalt me through the Word of Your Sabd. And wherever there is self-realization, You are there; O True God Savior, You save us and carry us across. -----Guru Nanak, Raag Malar, AGGS, Page, 1255 

ਕਈ ਜਨਮ ਭਏ ਕੀਟ ਪਤੰਗਾ ॥
ਕਈ ਜਨਮ ਗਜ ਮੀਨ ਕੁਰੰਗਾ ॥
ਕਈ ਜਨਮ ਪੰਖੀ ਸਰਪ ਹੋਇਓ ॥
ਕਈ ਜਨਮ ਹੈਵਰ ਬ੍ਰਿਖ ਜੋਇਓ ॥
ਮਿਲੁ ਜਗਦੀਸ ਮਿਲਨ ਕੀ ਬਰੀਆ ॥
ਚਿਰੰਕਾਲ ਇਹ ਦੇਹ ਸੰਜਰੀਆ ॥
ਕਈ ਜਨਮ ਸੈਲ ਗਿਰਿ ਕਰਿਆ ॥
ਕਈ ਜਨਮ ਗਰਭ ਹਿਰਿ ਖਰਿਆ ॥
ਕਈ ਜਨਮ ਸਾਖ ਕਰਿ ਉਪਾਇਆ ॥
ਲਖ ਚਉਰਾਸੀਹ ਜੋਨਿ ਭ੍ਰਮਾਇਆ ॥
ਸਾਧਸੰਗਿ ਭਇਓ ਜਨਮੁ ਪਰਾਪਤਿ ॥
ਕਰਿ ਸੇਵਾ ਭਜੁ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਗੁਰਮਤਿ ॥

Kayee Janam Bha-ay Keett Patangaa, “Kayee Janam Meen Kurangaa, Kayee Janam Pankhee Sarap Hooeyoo, Kayee Janam Haivar Birkh Jooeyoo, Mil Jagdeesh Milan Kee Baree-aa, Chirankaal Eh Deh Sanjaree-aa, Kayee Janam Sail Gir Kariaa, Kayee Janam Garabh Hir Khariaa, Kayee Janam Saakh Kar Oupaaey-aa, Lakh Chauraasee Joan Bharmaaey-aa, Saadh Sung Bhaeo Janam Praapat, Kar Seva Bhaj Har Har Gurmat.

 In so many incarnations, one was a worm and an insect. In so many incarnations, one was an elephant, a fish, and a deer. In so many incarnations, one was a bird and a snake. In so many incarnations, one was yoked as an ox and a horse. Now it is time to meet the Creator of the Universe. After so very long, this human body was fashioned for you. In so many incarnations, one was rocks and mountains; in so many incarnations, one was aborted in the womb. In so many incarnations, one developed in branches and leaves. You wandered through 8.4 million incarnations (evolution). Through the Company of the Holy, you obtained this human life. Do ਸੇਵਾ (selfless service), and vibrate the God's Name. -----Guru Arjun, Raag Gauri Guareri, AGGS, Page, 176

Religion and science can co-exist with a little tolerance and rationality and mutual respect. Humans should enjoy the strides of science while enjoying the comforts provided by being humble towards that unfathomable, incomprehensible Higher Power.

Can the religion stand up to the progress of science is the main question?

Science is the real redeemer. It will put honesty above hypocrisy; mental veracity above all belief. It will teach the religion of usefulness. It will destroy bigotry in all its forms. It will put thoughtful doubt above thoughtless faith. We know that science has given us all we have of value. Science is the only civilizer. It has freed the slave, clothed the naked, fed the hungry, lengthened life, given us homes and hearths, pictures and books, ships and railways, telegraphs and cables, engines that tirelessly turn the countless wheels, and it has destroyed the superstition.

Science and medical technology and knowledge have prolonged the average life span of humans in many countries. Does it mean that people are becoming more virtuous and God is blessing them back by extension in their life span?

Conclusion:  

Science ends when reason fails, but spirituality is there all the time. One can be spiritual by subjugating the lower instincts of Lust, Anger, Greed, Attachment, and Ego with further development of the virtues of Truth, Compassion, Contentment, and Faith in the existence of Higher Power, and Fortitude with tevolvement of good moral character, which in itself is Divine Knowledge.