Vanessa Ortiz
4/29/13
HUM 101

“It is a science that has, traditionally, encroached on the terrain of religion, offering a natural explanation for what had previously been regarded as wondrous and even supernatural.” (Begley, p. 67) Both tradition and change have completely different meanings. Tradition is the passing down of elements of a culture from generation-generation. Change is the cause to be different or to transform something new. There can always be a little change in tradition. For example, marriage is normally for a man and a woman, but now its opening more towards homosexuals. Science and religion always clashed with each other, but it wasn’t until the middle of the 19th century, science was perceived not as antithetical to faith but rather as an avenue to deeper faith, and to greater appreciation for the works of the creator. Another example would be a woman might want to follow her own path rather than keep up with her family’s tradition. It’s important to maintain tradition, but in some circumstances, change can be adopted with tradition. Science and religion have often clashed, most particularly since Charles Darwin published his theory of evolution in the nineteenth century, notes Sharon Begley in “Both Religion and Science Can Reveal Life’s Meaning.” In this article, Begley speaks about how science was always the answer and came on top of religion. Traditionally science can tell us many things and teach us about the universe and world we live in. But science can only go so far and it takes faith to establish the rest. Sharon explains the changes with the relationship between science and religion. According to Begley, many believe that recent scientific theories point to the existence of an ultimate reality or Supreme Being and that both science and faith can enhance the human sense of connection to the cosmos. Therefore, they both have one thing in common, which is “the motivation that designs both in the search for scientific truths and the search for spiritual meaning.” While science and religion were rivals, “it is a science that addresses totally different questions than religion.” (Begley, p. 68) “Science explains the world, God is behind the world; science explains what is, religion offers what should be; science tells us how the world acts, religion tells us how we should act.” Science wants to know the system of this world, religion the meaning. However, for most of its years, science and religion were engaged in a common quest for understanding. At the end of the 20th century, it was seen by scientists the confirmation of existing religious beliefs or inspiration for a whole new kind of faith. Religion and science most likely, wouldn’t fuse together, so they will definitely have their own separate identities. But from scholars to churchgoers, they are seeking and finding today in their discoveries that religion has offered solace and support. It offers a connection between the human mind and a glimpse of creation. Also, a sense of wonder, and that the world is rational. Even though science and religion will remain separate, there’s no doubt that changes are still happening because there’s only so much we can know or figure out. The rest is a mystery. Many families force or expect their children to follow their traditional religion custom. In the “Journey by Inner light,” by Meeta Kaur, speaks about her decision to have her hair cut and the confusion that resulted in her traditional Sikh family. Meeta is an American, Indian girl who is expected to follow her family’s long-hair tradion. But being an American girl, she faces the customs that’s being held by her friends from school. She realized many of the girls from school or in America in general, was free to make their own decisions. They did whatever they wanted to with their hair. In America, looks matter. Her