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100 Thoughts - Life, Politics, Science and Religion
Science
Science is the language that God uses, because the rules of science
are used throughout our universe (see God).
Next to written language, science is probably the greatest achievement
of the human race, for it turned mankind from a superstitious
culture, to one based on real, known facts. Unfortunately, it
has also lead to great destruction, since science shows man how
to tap the power of the universe.
Millions of years ago, prehistoric man lived in a dangerous, confusing
world. Everything was difficult: eating, sleeping, drinking, having
children, raising children, and living. People lived in small
groups that helped to make life a little better. Gradually, they
developed tools that also helped to keep them alive.
Thousands of years ago, small groups developed cities run by a
leader. These leaders provided guidance, usually based upon deities.
This guidance helped to bond the people together, to keep the
cities in existence, and to keep the people from revolting. Cities
worked well, unless internal or external forces attacked them.
Both the small group and city models continue to exist today.
Religion provided answers by individuals who communicate directly
with God. There is no way to prove the existence or accuracy of
these communications. Religion always relies on “faith” for belief.
Stories of miracles were viewed as a sign of validation.
On the other hand, science provides answers by individuals who
communicate with the physical world. Before any scientific theory
is accepted, other scientists must be able to substantiate the
accuracy of these theories. Science relies on “repetition” for
its validation. Theories are presented to the whole scientific
community for comments, criticism, and ultimately for acceptance.
Over time, scientific theories undergo thousands of tests. Established
theories have never been shown to be wrong. Scientific theories,
like evolution, have been shown to be so accurate that they should
be called scientific facts. The reason that doesn’t happen is
because facts never change, but theories can undergo modification
as new discoveries are made. In the case of Darwin’s theory of
Natural Selection as the mechanism for evolution, recent discoveries
have indicated that Natural Selection may not be the only method
of evolution. It is in this way that scientific theories stimulate
additional research that helps to further science. Everything
in science points to evolution as the means by which all animals,
including Homo sapiens, came into being.
What most people attribute to science should really be divided
into pure science and applied science. Pure science seeks to understand
the inner workings of the whole universe. It is conducted by scientists
who have a deep commitment to discovering “Invisible Truths.”
Examples of pure science are: Copernicus’ theory of our solar
system, Mendel’s theory of genetics, Darwin’s theory of Natural
Selection, Einstein’s theory of relativity. These are a few of
the scientists who theorized models of how our Universe works.
These scientists have made “visible” that which cannot be seen
by the human eye (see Education). These great scientists were
often ridiculed because their discoveries were not easily understood
and often they undermined religious beliefs. What they discovered
could only exist in books and in the minds of our world. You cannot
hold in your hand what they discovered.
Applied science seeks to use current scientific knowledge to create
new products or inventions. People who have a deep commitment
for inventing, creating, and solving problems use science. Examples
of applied science are: Edison’s invention of the light bulb,
Salk’s polio vaccine, Nobel’s dynamite, Oppenheimer’s leading
development of the atomic bomb. These are a few of the scientists
who have a vision of making something, using scientific knowledge.
These scientists have made things that can be seen and held, and
have had a tremendous effect on the world.
Pure science is not understood by the vast majority of people.
The vast majority appreciates applied science, but its advantages
also carry with them some adverse effects. Dynamite was created
to help mankind, but it also lead to tremendous deaths in war.
The creation of the atomic bomb ended World War II, but it also
means that World War III could result in the total annihilation
of mankind. Science must take some of the blame for making nuclear
bombs, but it was the politicians and the military that requested
and used them for destructive purposes. Now, we must work towards
getting rid of nuclear bombs (see Weapons of Mass Destruction,
Security).
We must continue to pursue scientific knowledge in order to understand
more about our universe. We need to keep using our scientific
knowledge to build new products. But, we need to be cautious in
how we apply scientific knowledge because how the atomic bomb
was used is a mistake that we must not repeat.