Religion and Science: A beautiful harmony

Religion and spirituality have become dirty words in today’s society and among college students.

For many, religion carries the connotation of an outdated tradition, a silly collection of fables meant for another generation.

Currently, about one-fifth of the population in the United States claims no affiliation with any religion, according to a study by Pew Research Center.

On college campuses, this trend holds true. About one-third of students express indifference regarding religion, according to the American Religious Identification Study.

The movement away from religion isn’t unexpected. Fundamentalist groups, such as the hateful Westboro Baptist Church, and the political undertones of organized religion taint the image of the community.

Additionally, in an increasingly secular society, some may view science and religion as incompatible. Outspoken atheists such as Richard Dawkins spearhead the movement to create disparity between the two groups.

From a superficial standpoint, the case against religion is strong. But, upon closer inspection, the theological aspect of religion complements scientific discovery and, on its own, it provides a significant contribution to culture.

Religion does not always attempt to discredit science. For instance, Pope Francis has reiterated the affirming stance of the Catholic Church on evolution and scientific discovery, sentiments expressed by both by Pope John Paul II in his encyclical “Faith and Reason” and by Pope Pius XII’s in “Humani Generis” the past decades.

Both popes explain that faith and reason complement rather than contradict one another. While faith attempts to explain issues of spirituality, science seeks to explain the physical world. In the long run, both attempt to provide explanations on phenomena not understood by man.

From the cultural and social standpoint, religion aids in the building of communities and provides the opportunity for people to understand their place in the physical world.

Religion and spirituality have been associated with the alleviation of depression and appears to steer people toward healthy coping mechanisms when all else seems to fail in their lives.

For instance, a 2005 study revealed that personal engagement in religion helped decrease the incidence of substance abuse by about 70 percent. Additionally, a separate study conducted in Tennessee demonstrated that religious teenagers upheld better self-esteem and had lower rates of depression.

In these cases, religion and personal spirituality helped facilitate healthy living habits and self-care in comparison to their nonreligious cohorts. At its core, religion intends to unify communities and to promote well-being.

While participation in a religious group or spiritual practices may not be necessarily for individual people to live well, it helps create a supportive community. Living in the modern age and participating in religion do not have to be exclusive.