People who believe that Science and Religion are incompatible might also point out places in Holy Books that they believe completely contradict scientific belief, such as the question of how the universe was created. The Bible states that the world was created in 6 days by an omnibenevolent creature, while most Scientists believe that the world we see today is a result of billions of years of consequences and evolution, which is a stark contrast to 6 days. They’d argue that one of them has to be true and one false, but there is no way they can both be true.
Finally, many people would argue most Scientists has a desire to know everything that happens that could possibly happen in the universe, and are not willing to let their future be controlled by somebody else. They would argue that we should be able to take complete control of our own lives, and this is something religion does not allow.
However, there are many people that believe you can be both a Scientist and also religious, as long as you agree that some things in religion might rather than be a hard statement, but are actually a metaphor. For example, the Creation Story might be just something to show that God does have a part in our world, and is actually real, but rather than saying that, this story puts it across in an easy, accessible way. They might also argue that even with theories such as the Big Bang, surely there has to be something to start it off in the first place? Both Science and Religion agree the Universe had a beginning, so God therefore could’ve just set the Universe’s development rolling.
Others would also argue that while Evolution at first might seem to disprove Religion, it is possible that we were specifically built by God to have this quality. They’d argue that since God wanted his creatures to do well, he made us so that we could adapt to different environments, thus letting us prosper. They might also argue more generally that many things in the universe and so amazingly complex and finely balanced, that somebody had to create the initial laws for Science to exist in the first place. For example, the Big Bang was likely a result of massive chance, and exactly the right environment. They’d argue that this isn’t just a fluke, God designed it like this, and then let natures laws carry on from there.
Finally, some might also argue that Science and Religion are not just compatible, but deal with completely different things altogether. For example Einstein said “Science without religion is handicapped: Religion without science is blind”, which means that they both play a major role in what is here today. They’d argue that they don’t have to conflict, because they are dealing with a different side of life. It also says that fundamentalism from both sides however cannot get on, but if you are smart enough to realise they are both essential, then you can be a Scientist and Religious.
However I believe that as long as you do not take everything too literally, then you can in fact be both Scientific and religious. I think that it is important to understand that we do not understand everything in the world, and the likelihood is that we never will, so for at least some things we need to have faith. As long as we give both sides are fair and reasoned analysis, I do believe that you can be both a Scientist and Religious.