Embracing both faith and science

Dr. Daniel Sharp and Dr. Georgie Lokov highlighted how their professional fields are compatible with their beliefs, while Basi Fabia shared her personal journey to reconcile with scientific ideas with the principles of gospel. Although some people see these fields as anti -forces, Dr. Sharp said, “Both are tools to understand the world, and they are not necessarily in opposition … God has given us the intelligence and reason to understand our surroundings. Science is a way to do so.”

Dr. Sharp, a professor of religious education with PhD in Culture, Language, and Performing Arts and Religious Sciences, said that the conflict between science and religion is a false duplicate. “The idea that science and religion have differences is a media -made story,” Dr. Sharp explained.

By studying the early Christian texts and considering his conversion journey, he has shared a point that considers science and religion as complementary rather than competitive forces. “Many great scientists, such as Isaac Newton, have been deeply religious throughout history. These two spheres often work in harmony.

Sharp said that faith is often misunderstood because they are completely separated from the evidence. He compared the process of faith to scientific experiments, and presenting Alma 32 in the book of Mormon: “If you give a place, you can be seeded in your heart, see, if this is a real seed … then it will start to slip into your breasts.” “This reference encourages readers to experience with the word, observe its effects and examine its truth. It is very high that a scientific method is applied to spirituality.

Tea also said that the scriptures should be viewed as religious texts rather than historical or scientific records. “The author of the Bible was not writing history books. They were writing evidence. He emphasized the importance of understanding the intention behind the writings in the scriptures. If you really check one’s testimony for historical accuracy, you lose their spiritual message. The same is the case with the Scriptures, “Sharp said.

Sharp highlighted the enlightenment, a intellectual movement, which emphasized arguments, science and individual rights as an important turning point in the relationship between science and religion. During this period, from the end of the 1600s to the early 1800s, he said that the thinkers began to emphasize arguments and natural theology to explain the existence of God. “However, the rise of ideas like Darwin’s natural choice challenged these ideas,” he said.

Sharp said, “Stress science was not about an unintentional religion.” When alternative specifications like evolution arise, it created a dispute.

Historically, Sharp added, science and religion have worked in harmony, especially before enlightenment. He said that personalities like Thomas Eknas and John Calvin have seen the structure of the universe as proof of divine design. “Even Galileo, which is often presented as a victim of science than religion, was more about the different interpretations of the Scriptures than the direct conflict,” Sharp explained.

Sharp said he sees science as a tool to seek the world that fulfills faith. “By recognizing the unique role of science and religion, we can create a dialogue that promotes deep understanding,” he said.

When asked about the coexistence of science and religion, Professor in the Bulgarian faculty with a medical degree, and a professor in biochemistry, said, “The truth is true, whether it is discovered through scientific investigations or spiritual insights.”

Lokov said he teaches courses from introductory chemistry to advanced biochemistry labs, and that he applies not only in his research but also in his daily life. “Science helps us understand how things work, while faith helps us understand,” he said. In search of both fields, Lokov said that individuals can find a lot of things with the support of science and there is evidence of this from the Gospel at the same time.

Fabia said he learned the completion of science and religion through a general conference negotiation. “Elder Badnar said in his October 2018 general conference,” Science methods lead us to what we call scientific truth. But ‘scientific truth’ is not the whole life. Fabia jointly helped the conversation to see how both could live together. Fabia said he believes that schools do not necessarily resolve the relationship between science and religion, but it should be left to individual students. “Religion is a personal learning experience rather than something that should be taught only in schools,” he said. If the school wants to include it, that’s fine, but it is not necessary. It depends on the complexities of science and religion, using both to navigate the complexities of life. “Faith is working without learning from full knowledge and consequences,” he said, “This is a process of experiments, just like a scientific method and is punished over time.”

As a person who came into religion in later life, Lokov said his belief was strengthened by personal experience. “I do not separate science and faith because the two try to expose the truth about their existence,” he said.

Lokov also said that when people misunderstood the purpose of science or religion, there are often challenges. “Some people see scientific discoveries as proving God wrong, but to me, they are proof of intelligent design,” he said. He emphasized on understanding the increase in natural laws rather than reducing his ideology about God.

Although science relies on measurement data, Lokov said a variety of students need to be understood.

Fabia said it had faced conflicts between scientific discoveries and religious beliefs, especially about creation. “In the church, we have been taught about creation – that the earth was created for six days. But in science, it has been taught that everything is coincidental, like the Big Bang Bang and then we have a land. Fabia said it was completely different, but it helped him think about both points.

Balancing science and religion can benefit society by providing both the purpose and innovation, Fabia said. He explained, “Religion gives you a sense of man and gives you a sense of relationship and purpose.” “On the other hand, science is professional and focused on discovery, but religion reminds you that there is evidence of it. He explained,” The belief is deeply personal and is created by individual experiences. He described the confidence in the scriptures to rely on scientific research, highlighting that both need to believe in principles and ideas that cannot always be immediately solid.

Leading the students who are struggling at the intersection of science and faith, Lokov said they encourage them to follow confidence and examine the results. “Faith and actions are integral. You should be ready to move forward without any full knowledge and in doing so, you learn and grow, “he said.

Fabia, the main junior in marketing and business management in Bao, said she did not believe in science and faith that she could not live together, but she was wrong. Fabia said, “I thought they were completely different.” But the more I learn about the gospel, the more I can see that they really walk together. You can make life more and you have a goal.

Fabia mentions President Russell M. Nelson, the leader of the Heart Surgeon and the Church of the Litter Day Saints, as the example of someone who fills science and religion. “President Nelson is very good in his work, but he knows that all his gifts and abilities come from God,” he said. “It’s about learning more and more while maintaining eternal perspective.”

Fabia said she is hopeful about the future relations between science and religion. “How do all the technologies and churches we have to reach them, I think science and religion will continue to fulfill each other in the future,” he said.