Science Vs. Religion

[Jalapeno]

This is a point I have been thinking about for a while. I put it under religion because I think it fits best, but feel free to move it.

Is science a religion? If you think about it, it kind of is. A religion is normally defined as a god(s)-worshiping sect, but it could also be a belief system that provides an explanation for how the world works. This holds true for all current religions. Unfortunately for atheists, however, this definition also works on science.
People have always said that religion is what keeps the world running, because it gives you something to believe in. Science also provides something to believe in, and serves the same role as religion in lending stability to our lives and making us feel more significant and meaningful.

So, is science a religion?

~Jalapeno

[soxnutt04]

First I would say look closer at the definition of religion. Most common ones, the ones that are referring to the "god worshiping sects" you talk about include in them a belief in a supernatural power, and worship of that power. In this spectrum I'm going to have to say no science is not a religion. All religions more or less mandate an unquestioning belief in something and than that you must worship that thing and put all of your trust into it. While you very well can do like wise with science by believing in it and trusting it, even worshiping it if you will, it really is not with the same intentions. With science you are always working and striving to understand, you are always asking and answering questions. Religion is about accepting a plan for you and not asking why but trusting this thing that is bigger than you is right. That would never happen in science. So I guess to sum up, science could act as some peoples "religion" but if we are asking is science definable as a religion in the form it has taken in our world? No I believe it does not meet the criteria.

[Jalapeno]

I believe it is in fact a religion. No, people do not "worship" science, but it takes as much faith to believe in science as it does to believe in a religion. The process of asking and answering questions, however, is a good point. But this can be viewed as a form of create-your-own Bible, with the holy text (the explanation inherent in my definition of religion) being the "worshipers" very act of creating it. They make their own explanations, write them down and set them out for other people to take comfort in. Science dodges all the horrible religious stereotypes with guise of interactivity.
~Jalapeno