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Do scientific and religious explanations necessarily contradict each other?

It is often claimed that scientific and religious explanations contradict each other. That is often the case, but not necessarily so.

The statement according to which God created the universe 6000 years ago in six days with all animals and plants contradicts everything that science knows about the past of the Universe and life.

But the statement "God created and sustains the universe and all living beings" is of course by no means contradictory to the findings of science. The religious explanation is simply not on the same level of explanation as what science can say at all.
-> Religion just adds another layer of explanation.

Let's take an everyday example: Susan is lying in bed with a severe flu. Why?
Explanation 1: Because she was infected with the influenza virus H1N1 and her immune system was unable to fend off the virus.
Explanation 2: Because God allowed the influenza viruses to infect Susan.

Are the two explanations in (logical) contradiction? No.
Explanation 1 is what science can say about this case ; explanation 2 is a fictitious explanation, and science is simply unable to say anything about the truth of it. All science is able say about explanation 2 is: There is zero evidence for this.
But since we are all constantly making statements every day about things science cannot say anything about, there is no rational or logical reason why Type 2 explanations should be ruled out a priori.

The totality of all entities in the world in which we live as human beings is much greater than the totality of all scientific facts.

Conclusion: It is up to each individual whether he or she finds religious explanations plausible or not. Some people have a deep need that things should make sense and have a meaning, and that some intentional agent is "behind" the bloody machinery out there, and they prefer to be able to say "God is the ultimate cause of everything - and I trust Him that in the end everything will be fine" - when the alternative are dismal and grim statements like "bad luck" or "shit happens".

(Disclaimer: I do NOT argue that scientific and religious explanations are equally valid when it comes to knowing the world "out there".)

Matias 8 Apr 24
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