Science is not intended to be offensive or discriminatory. Science is the exploration of ideas and knowledge. It is the result of an innate gift that drives mankind forward, asking questions, seeking answers, hoping to understand the world that exists all around us.
Cosmos premiered a few weeks ago offering television viewers an opportunity to become acquainted or reacquainted with science. Hosted by astrophysicist Neil Degrasse Tyson, the first three episodes covered issues from evolution to gravity to the big bang theory. It is no coincidence that Tyson’s mentor was Carl Sagan, who produced the original Cosmos series back in the 1980s. Tyson is an excellent choice to continue Sagan’s legacy, educating us on scientific ideas that make our world work.
Cosmos is nothing short of fascinating. It introduces its audience to elements of the universe through the eyes of a scientist and helps viewers to understand concepts that seem sometimes incomprehensible. Of course, Tyson admits that scientists do not have all the answers…he says there is no shame in not knowing something. When they don’t know the answers, they continue to seek them out.
Yet despite a scientifically factual program, offering an educational experience for all members of the family without sexual content, abrasive language or violence, there are those who would rather not see the program aired.
Religious fundamentalists who take the bible literally are fearful that Cosmos might … might what? Disprove the bible? Uncover some how that God doesn’t exist? How could a television mini-series have such power? If the tenants of the Christian (or any) faith are so vulnerable, a television program is the least of its worries.
Some Christians are so upset over Fox’ airing of Cosmos that they are calling for the program to be cancelled or the opportunity for equal air time to share their Christian theories.
The latter to me is exceptionally outrageous. Do scientists ask to take over the pulpit each sunday as preachers, pastors, and priests preach their religious beliefs? No. Do scientists get equal air time on religious networks that use all their power and might to discredit science through their programming? No.
In fact, science is not attacking religion. The efforts of scientists are not intended, despite perhaps claims from some evangelists, to discredit religion.
Religion, however, is actively used by some church leaders to encourage its members to doubt science. Historically, church leaders had not only disavowed scientific theories, but persecuted those promoting them. When scientists proposed that the earth revolved around the sun, they were tortured and imprisoned by the powers that be. Some were executed. When scientists suggested that the earth was just one of many planets with a sun, they were tortured, imprisoned and, yes, executed.
It is not shocking that after Darwin unveiled his theory of evolution, a Christian fundamentalist movement advanced the idea of Creationism to counter Darwin’s discoveries. It is also not surprising that Christians have strongly opposed the widely-accepted scientific theory that explains the origin of our universe: the big bang theory.
If you believe in God, why do you believe He gave us the gifts of intelligence, reason, wonder? If you don’t believe in science, does this mean you don’t believe in gravity or photosynthesis?
Isn’t it possible that God gave you the ability to think so that you would discover this amazing universe? Did He not give you eyes to see its beauty? and ears to hear the cacophony of sounds that make our world come alive?
Of course, science doesn’t require a religion, or even a belief in God, which perhaps is the crux of the problem. Religion is most effective when it controls what its members think…science, on the other hand, encourages, no, DEMANDS, the use of our mind to explore, question and reason.
If religious leaders are so threatened by science, it does make you wonder why.