a man in a lab coat and a science experiment

Science and Religion: Rethink your perspective

About the author

Albert Einstein (1879-1955) was a German scientist, writer, and philosopher. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1921 in Physics for his explanation of the photoelectric effect.

About the essay

• The essay ‘Science and Religion’ is taken from an address by Albert Einstein at Princeton Theological Seminary on May 19, 1939.

• This is a non-fictional prose that is told from the first-person point of view.

• In the essay ‘Science and Religion’ Albert Einstein discusses the roles of religion and science in shaping our civilization in society.

• This text is an example of realistic discourse which is written in very rich and lucid language.

• In this essay, Albert Einstein expresses an objective approach and proves how science and religion influence each other.

Word meaning:

♦widely-broadly, ♦unreconcilable-unmatched, ♦advanced minds-people who have modern and developed ideas, ♦belief-having faith in something, ♦sole-only, ♦outstanding-extremely excellent, ♦rationalistic standpoint-an attitude to a particular issue on the basis of reasons, ♦crass- without sympathy, ♦end-aim/goal, ♦exclusively-in a limited way, ♦sensible man-intelligent and practical man, ♦thesis- an opinion which is discussed logically with evidence, ♦starkly-very clearly,♦ as to-with respect to, ♦convictions-beliefs, ♦unreservedly- completely, ♦rationalist-a person who believes in rationalism, ♦determinant- something which decides or influences, ♦conditioned-influenced/transformed, ♦aspiration-expectation/longing, ♦objective knowledge-knowledge based on facts, ♦belittle-making something insignificant, ♦heroic-courageous , ♦sphere-field, ♦deduct-take away, ♦instruments-measures, ♦acquire-gain, ♦corresponding-associated, ♦justification-explanation for something, ♦value-principles, ♦very knowledge-appropriate knowledge,

Chapter Highlights

• Science is a hundred-year-old effort to reveal the truth about facts. It uses rational and systematic thoughts and builds connections among various things. Religion is an age-old attempt by humans to set values and goals in life. With the help of religion, we examine our thoughts and actions and make a judgment.

• Religion determines our goals, but science tells us about the methods we need to fulfil our goals. Again, the mystery of religion motivates science to speculate about various unknown things.

• There should not be a conflict between science and religion as both of them are different branches of the same tree, they work for the same purpose which is the betterment of the people. Sometimes a religious community claims that all statements are undoubtedly true in the Bible. Again, some representatives of science come to the basic decision regarding aims and values based on the scientific method. This way science and religion oppose each other due to harmful errors a few scientific people and religious people do. As a result, the church fought against the conception of Galileo and Darwin.

• Science and religion deal with different approaches to the universe and enrich us with unique insights. According to Albert Einstein, we should explore the natural laws of the universe with the help of scientific methods, but we should nurture their ethical values with the help of religion.

• At an early age, humans created god out of fear with the help of fantasy while facing any natural phenomena. They influenced their god using magic and prayer. At present, we follow the idea of god, which is the refinement of the old concept of god. People pray to god to fulfil their wishes.

• It is undeniably true that the idea of god is useful in providing support and comfort to people. This concept is easy to be accessed by everyone. But there is a shortcoming in this idea. When we consider god as an omnipotent power, god becomes responsible for everything happening in the universe. So he cannot judge others for any wrongdoings while believing god is an omnipotent and omniscient power.

• At present the concept of personal god is the main reason for the conflict between science and religion. Albert Einstein believed in Spinoza’s god instead of any personal gods.

• Albert Einstein considered the equal role of science and religion in shaping our society, as they together provide us with a comprehensive understanding of the vast universe. Science deals with facts, evidence, observation, and rationality. It connects one fact to another and discloses the truth of natural laws that govern the entire universe. On the other hand, religion deals with moral values, faith, belief, and spirituality and directs us to the right path. So Science cannot answer spiritual questions, and religion cannot investigate anything scientifically.

• He believed the rationality of science and the spiritual depth of religion both would lead us to understand the universe in depth. He emphasized building harmony and balance between science and religion.

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