Term Paper on "Religion Versus Science"

Term Paper 3 pages (1210 words) Sources: 3 Style: MLA

[EXCERPT] . . . .

Religion vs. Science: the issue of cloning and stem cell research

The debate about religion vs. science is one that has been ongoing since the start of the industrial revolution and the inception of modern science. In the late Eighteenth and Nineteenth centuries as science began to advance, many of the accepted religious issues and beliefs about reality were put into question.

This meant that many the fundamental beliefs and worldviews of religion were also questioned and doubt began to creep into Western civilization about the validity of religious perceptions of reality and life. This questioning attitude and doubt was accelerated in the Twentieth Century. The two World Wars that occurred during this century also caused people to question traditional religious views.

However this decline in religion was balanced in second half of the last century by a questioning of the views and assumptions of science. Many artists and thinkers began to state that the scientific view of reality was flawed and limited. Therefore the contemporary situation generally in the world is characterized by a continuing debate and conflict between those who support the scientific world view and those who view life from a more religious context. On the one hand many scientists view religion as "unproven" and more of a myth than a reality. "...religious experiences are mere delusions and... God might be nothing more than a hallucination..." (McGillion) On the other hand many religious people and theologians view scientific thought as ignoring the higher ethical and religious values which they consider to be the essence of what it means to be human. "They believe that the naturalistic bias of science is in fact atheistic, and that if we don't change science, we can't believe in God." (Goldenberg S.)

This debate affects many issues and especially socially contentious scientific discoveries and theories. One issue that has caused a great amount of debate and contention in recent years is the issue of cloning and stem cell research. Cloning techniques represent one of the most innovative scientific developments of this century. At the same time this new technology clashes on many levels with the religious views and established perceptions that are still a strong part of modern society.

One the one hand and from a scientific viewpoint, cloning and stem cell research is viewed as a very positive development for humanity in general.

Scientists and those who support the scientific view, see stem cell research as a possible cure for many diseases that has to date been incurable. This includes diseases such as Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's diseases. Parkinson's disease is a "...very common neurodegenerative disorder that affects more than 2% of the population over 65 years of age. (Stem Cell basics) The lack of Dopamine in the brain is considered a central cause of Parkinson's disease. New methods are being used by scientists to produce dopamine neurons form human stem cells. This has led to the possibility that "...the successful generation of an unlimited supply of dopamine neurons could make neurotransplantation widely available for Parkinson's patients at some point in the future." (Stem Cell basics)

There is even the scientific suggestion that stem cell research may be a means of preventing aging in humans. "Many biomedical gerontologists and life extensions believe that future breakthroughs in tissue rejuvenation with stem cells,... will eliminate all aging and disease as well as allow for complete rejuvenation to a youthful condition." (Antiaging)

On the other side of the argument is the view that cloning technology and stem cell research will destroy family and religious institutions. More importantly, stem cell research is seen by many as a direct threat to… READ MORE

How to Reference "Religion Versus Science" Term Paper in a Bibliography

Related Term Papers:

Impact That Science Has Played on Religion and Vice Versa Annotated Bibliography

Science Has Played on Religion, and Vice Versa

The relationship between science and religion

I chose to use the relationship between religion and science across time as a topic for… read more

Annotated Bibliography 3 pages (892 words) Sources: 0 Topic: Religion / God / Theology

---

Steven Gimbel: Einstein's Jewish Science Essay

" (Gimbel,, p. 38) Gimbel goes on to use a definition of what comprises the essence of being Jewish that is reductionist in nature stating that the physics of Einstein… read more

Essay 4 pages (1094 words) Sources: 1 Topic: Religion / God / Theology

---

Religion and Politics: The Impact of Religious Thesis

Religion & Politics: The Impact of Religious Affiliation on Voting Choices of Americans

RELIGION and POLITICS: THE IMPACT of RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION on VOTING CHOICES of AMERICANS

Although the separation of… read more

Thesis 6 pages (1503 words) Sources: 4 Style: APA Topic: Religion / God / Theology

---

Bible: Nature vs. God Term Paper

Bible: Nature vs. God

There has always been much controversy regarding the concept of God and His relationship with science. Theology has practically been created as a means to have… read more

Term Paper 3 pages (818 words) Sources: 1 Topic: Religion / God / Theology

---

What Role Should Religion Play in Education Thesis

Role of Religion

What is the Role of Religion in Education

This is a guideline and template. Please do not use as a final turn-in paper.

What is the Role… read more

Thesis 8 pages (2595 words) Sources: 10 Style: APA Topic: Religion / God / Theology

---

View 100+ more related papers  >>