As technology has permeated our society more and more over the past couple of decades, it seems that it has grown more and more in conflict with tradition and religion. Where science might fight to prove that a fetus is not technically living or will not feel the pain of an abortion, religion says otherwise. Where science says that the planet came into existence by "the big bang", religion disagrees, and where science proclaims that evolution created man, religion once again would point to God. No matter the occasion, it seems like a constant struggle between the two as they try to prove which perspective is more correct.
Gaudium Et Spes says, "... a culture which arises from the enormous progress of science and technology must be harmonized with a culture nourished by classical studies according to various traditions" (56). But it seems as though that is easier said than done! The two groups appear to always be at odds, with one jabbing at the other with their passionate point of view.
So how are the two meant to live in the harmony that Gaudiem Et Spes suggests? How can our society stay progressive while preserving religion and tradition which are very much based out of maintaining the past as opposed to changing to fit the present? Perhaps the two do need each other and are in more union now than they think! Through the use of technology- technological communication and social media, the word of the Lord is more easily spread than ever before.
Of course it was not always this way and disciples of Christ used to rely heavily on word of mouth or written communication to spread the word, but now it would be silly to not embrace the technology that is available to them to spread that passion for faith! Although Gaudier Et Spes emphasizes the need for this intercultural dialogue between the world of science and technology and religion and tradition, the two groups are not as conflicted as we might think. In fact, studies show that more than half of the world's scientists do believe in a God or a higher power, and only 11 percent of Americans belong to a religion that denies modern science.
So even though it may seem like a daunting task to get the two groups to see eye to eye without constant heated argument, it might not be as impossible as it appears! We are already making progress in that area, and that intercultural dialogue continues to grow and flourish even today as we approach achieving a greater sense of unity and harmony between science and faith.
I agree that these two sides seem to be continuously in opposition, leading to an open disagreement throughout society, in schools, and in the political world. Technology and science are constantly a part of our world, and therefore we have to find a way to assimilate the two. It is an interesting way that you put it: both are based out of maintaining the past as opposed to changing to fit the present. Religion definitely is based a lot on tradition. The changing of our perceptions could very easily be a solution to this problem.
ReplyDeleteThe dialogue between religion and science I believe is one of the most difficult in the world today. Like you said, technology has allowed Christianity to spread its wings to all parts of the world, and that is truly amazing. However, our reliance on technology has also pushed many the opposite way of religion. It has created a more autonomous society where we can rely on ourselves rather than our faith in God. While it is still early in our technological advances, I wonder what the future will hold in this debate about science and religion.
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