Are Religion and Science in Conflict?

YEAR 9 · UNIT 14: RELIGION & SCIENCE · LESSON 1

What You'll Learn

Understand the historical conflict between religion and science, and explore four models of how they can relate.

Recall: Arguments About God's Existence

Review these concepts from Unit 13
5:00

Last unit you explored different arguments for and against God. Here are 4 questions to warm up your thinking.

What is the Design Argument?

🔒Reveal answer

Answer: The idea that the complexity and order in the universe suggests an intelligent designer (like God). Examples: the precise balance of the universe, beauty of nature.

What is the First Cause Argument?

🔒Reveal answer

Answer: The argument that everything needs a cause, so the universe must have been caused by God, who is the "uncaused cause."

What is Religious Experience as evidence for God?

🔒Reveal answer

Answer: Personal experiences of God (prayer, feeling of peace, answered prayers) that some people claim show God is real.

What is the Problem of Evil argument against God?

🔒Reveal answer

Answer: If God is all-powerful and all-good, why does evil and suffering exist? This challenges belief in God.

The Conflict Thesis

For much of history, people have seen science and religion as fundamentally opposed. This is called the "Conflict Thesis."

Key claim: Religion asks about why things exist and what gives life meaning. Science asks how things work. These are completely different questions.

Historical examples of conflict:

  • Galileo (1564–1642): Italian scientist who used the telescope to observe the sky. He supported the heliocentric model (sun at centre, Earth orbits). The Catholic Church said no—Earth is the centre. Galileo was tried and put under house arrest for the rest of his life.
  • Evolution debate: When Darwin published On the Origin of Species (1859), many Christians said it contradicted Genesis. Some still do today.
  • Medical treatments: Some faith communities reject vaccines or medical care, trusting only in prayer.

These conflicts made people think religion and science are enemies forever.

Four Models of Religion & Science

But modern scholars have identified four different ways these can relate:

CONFLICT Religion and science are enemies. Cannot both be true.
INDEPENDENCE Religion and science answer different questions. Both valid, but separate realms.
DIALOGUE Religion and science can learn from each other and have conversations.
INTEGRATION Religion and science are complementary. Together they give a fuller picture.

Most scientists today believe science and religion are either independent or can have dialogue.

Are Scientists Religious?

Religious Scientists Today

Francis Collins (born 1950) is a leading geneticist who led the Human Genome Project—one of the biggest scientific achievements of the 21st century. He is also a devout Christian. He sees no contradiction: "To me, DNA is the language in which God spoke life into being."

Georges Lemaître (1894–1966) was a Belgian priest and cosmologist. He developed the Big Bang theory—the leading scientific explanation for how the universe began. His discovery came from pure science, not religion. But as a priest, he also saw God's hand in creation.

About 45% of scientists today say they believe in God or a higher power. This includes physicists, biologists, and astronomers.

Christianity & Science

Christian scientists argue:

  • God created the laws of nature that science discovers
  • Studying science is studying God's creation
  • Evolution and God can both be true

Islam & Science

Islamic tradition has strong scientific roots:

  • The Qur'an encourages study of the natural world
  • Medieval Islamic scientists made major advances in maths, medicine, astronomy
  • Many Muslim scientists see science as deepening faith

Buddhism & Science

Buddhist philosophy aligns with science in some ways:

  • Buddhism emphasises observation and testing ideas
  • The Dalai Lama encourages dialogue with science
  • No creation story to contradict evolutionary science

Humanism & Science

Humanists see science as the best tool for understanding:

  • Science, not revelation, is the path to truth
  • No conflict—just prioritise what can be tested
  • Religion may be valuable for ethics, but not truth claims

Which Model Fits?

Drag each statement into the correct box. Each statement describes one of the four models.

"Science and religion are both ways of knowing, but they answer different questions." "You cannot be religious and believe in evolution—they contradict." "Religious texts and scientific theories both help us understand the world in different ways." "God uses natural laws. Learning science helps us appreciate God's creation." "Faith is personal. Science is objective. They don't have to agree." "Science proves some religious ideas are wrong, like the Earth being the centre of the universe."

CONFLICT MODEL

INDEPENDENCE MODEL

DIALOGUE MODEL

INTEGRATION MODEL

Essay: Religion & Science in Conflict?

Words: 0/300

Guidance

Structure your answer:

  • Agree: Give examples of conflict (Galileo, evolution debates)
  • Disagree: Show scientists who are religious; explain independence model
  • Evaluate: Which model do YOU think makes most sense?

Aim for 200–300 words. Be balanced—do not just pick one side.

Key Concepts

What was the Conflict Thesis?

Answer: The historical view that religion and science are enemies and cannot both be true.

What did Galileo discover, and why was it controversial?

Answer: He proved the Sun is at the centre (heliocentric), not Earth. The Church said Earth was the centre because of the Bible.

What are the four models of religion & science?

Answer: Conflict (enemies), Independence (separate realms), Dialogue (learn from each other), Integration (complementary).

Name a modern scientist who is religious.

Answer: Francis Collins (geneticist, Christian) or Georges Lemaître (priest & cosmologist who proposed Big Bang).

Can a person be both scientific and religious?

Answer: Yes—many scientists are religious. They see science as studying how the world works, religion as addressing meaning and purpose.