RELIGION, SCIENCE AND SOCIETY

Ghulam Mustafa

Introduction

Institutions are a central component of social structure. They are strategic instruments through which human life is patterned, stabilized and made predictable. Because of institutions, we feel there is an appreciable element of regularity, efficiency and certainty in our daily activities. Instead, we organize our relationships with other people and carry out the essential tasks of group life within the context of institutions. So there is a vital link between a society’s institutional arrangements and the private experiences of its members.

In this paper religion and science have been treated as institutions of society. Each of these institutions is focused on the solution to a set of problems encountered in social living and maintaining order in society to provide for the common good. As we see in the pages that follow religious and scientific institutions meet basic social needs and keep society going.

Religion is a set of systems in which rituals; doctrines, sentiments and other similar elements are interconnected, whereas science is the study of natural world and the things that happen in it. Religion conveys the truth through revelation while science through observation and experiment. They are main sources of human information. Religion deals with human life and regulates it in the light of revealed knowledge, while science deals with only material aspect of our life. Both affect the members of a given society. Through this influence they pattern and stabilize their lives. Smooth sailing of these institutions adds to the comfort of society members.

Relationship between religion and science has not always been friendly. This  affected human behaviour and life. The present paper is focused on contribution of science and religion to the welfare of human society. The theoretical framework is to be tested through discussion on the following questions:

1. How do religion and science contribute to society?

2. Do they affect human life?

3. Do they provide answers to ultimate questions?

4. How their relationship deteriorated and what was its impact?

5. Does their coordination help in smooth sailing of the society?

These are important questions. Without answering these questions one cannot understand fully well the impact of science and religion on social living. Discussion in the following pages will provide us answers to these questions.

Religion and Society

Religion (Islam) stands for belief in one God and in all the prophets of God, the last of whom was Mohammad, and for complete submission to the Divine Will as revealed through his prophets. This revelation is preserved in the Quran. Our religion is a complete way of life. It integrates man with God, awakens in him a moral consciousness and invites him to deal with all the problems of life in accord with his commitment to God. Religion performs following functions for the stability of society.   

Promoting Solidarity

Religion’s social function is promoting solidarity within a society. Worship, God and society are inseparable. Religion is the central focus for integrating the social system. It functions to hold society together. This social solidarity is developed through rituals and multitude of observances and ceremonies practiced by people. Followers of one religion develop a collective identity and a sense of fellowship.

Social Control

Another important function of religion is social control. It reinforces social norms, providing sanctions for violation of norms and reinforcing basic values such as truth, mercy, property rights sincerity and respect for others. Society’s existence depends on its members’ willingness to abide by the folkways and mores and to interact with one another in a spirit of cooperation and trust. The following verses from the Quran are quoted to substantiate the point. To hinder crime it says,” those who commit murders will be punished with eternal torment in Hell. (Nisa: 93)

The morals of Islam eradicate theft, bribery, lying and murder from society. One who adheres to the morals of Islam lives by observing the limits of God and does not obey the evil whispered to him by his lower self. The Quran directs believers

Do not swallow one another’s property by false means, nor offer it to the judges as a bribe. (Baqara.188)

Religion rids humankind of infidelity and disloyalty. God commands that His servants be faithful to one another, and, accordingly, this is what believers derive pleasure from. When religious morals prevail, the best examples of loyalty and faithfulness are witnessed. Friends, parents and elders are held in esteem. Prophet Mohammad, about brotherhood and cooperation says:

Muslim is a brother to Muslim, he does not wrong him or abandon him. If anyone cares for his brother’s need God will care for his need; if anyone removes his brother’s anxiety, God will remove from him one of the anxieties on the Day of Resurrection. (Al-Bukhari).

In a religious society prevails peace and security. The religion rids society of mercilessness and disaffection. It erases all sorts of worldly fears and removes selfishness. God draws attention to this inclination in man in the following verse.

But people are prone to selfish greed. If you do good and have fear of God, God is aware of what you do. (Nisa: 128)

Religious teachings eradicate jealousy and envy. There prevails sincerity and respect among people. It creates strong and resolute character. People have balanced state of mind. This is because of their belief in Quranic injunctions as it says.

God does not love any vain or boastful man. (Hadid:23)

Above discussion proves that through moral teachings religion brings stability to the society where negative impulses of man become inoperative and bond of love and respect is strengthened. Crimes are controlled and proper responsibility allocated to society members for smooth sailing of the system. A society dominated by such people becomes one that does not experience social problems.

Those who lose faith in religion can easily become victims of social evils like; jealousy, arrogance, vindictiveness, hopelessness, indifference, greediness, hypocrisy, lying and pretension. There is no hope for reward on noble deeds and fear of punishment for moral crimes in faithless society.                                                                               

Answers to Ultimate Questions

Providing answers to ultimate questions is also one of the religious functions. Those basic questions are:

What is the beginning and end of this world? Is there any life after death? If it is then what are the directions for this life? How did this universe come into existence? Who created and controls it? What is His relation with human beings and vice versa?

Besides physical laws is there some moral code? What are its details? What is the position of man in this universe? Is he responsible to someone? Why are we here? What happens after death? Religion provides system of belief based on the faith that life has a purpose, that God is in control of the universe, that there is life after death, that we shall be asked about accounts of all our actions. Religion makes the world comprehensible. It is religion that provides us answers of such questions and gives meaning to life. No other mean can help us understand these ultimate questions. They are out of the reach of science.

Rites de Passage

Religion also provides us with rites of passage, ceremonies and rituals designed to give sacred meanings and a social significance to birth, marriage, death and other momentous events of life. Such rites, typically associated with transitions in the life cycle, are more important in traditional societies. In industrial societies also they persist in marriage and death services (Dictionary of Sociology, p.20).

Family Ties

Religion strengthens family ties. A strong and successful social structure is based on families with strong ties. Family disintegration leads to degeneration of society. It removes the social ills of adultery, fornication and homosexuality and reduces divorce. All family members have their rights which are respected to avoid disintegration of the family. In case of violation of these rights they are accountable before God (Ahmad, pp.416-17).       

Reconciliation to Hardships

Religion helps reconcile people to hardships. All societies have inequality, poverty, and oppression, and everyone experiences pain, crisis, prejudice and sorrow. By belonging to a religion, people come to feel that they are special in some way that they will be rewarded in the future. Islam calls for caring, mercy, charity, kindness and other pro-social behaviours. Its followers provide moral, ethical, social and even financial support to those in need. Thus faith becomes a consolation and provides hope, which has sustained so many lives. Hope of Heaven has brought to men much happiness (Islam: pp.117-130). It is this hope that it keeps the poor from murdering the rich.

Social Change

Religion can cultivate social change. Many religious groups criticize social injustice, existing social morality and community or government actions. Some take actions to change unfavorable conditions. The creation of Pakistan and Israel and revolution in Iran are the few examples where religion contributed for the social change. Major force behind these changes was religion that motivated its adherents to rise against heavy odds and rid them of the problems they suffered to become masters of their destiny.

Public Speaking and Leadership Skills

Religion also provides opportunities and experience in public speaking and to practice leadership skills. People get psychic reward for donating funds or labour to worthy causes. Many sociologists argue that the functions provided by religion cannot be adequately met by other means.

If followed in its true spirit religion performs many basic functions for society and individuals, but due to interpretation problems and vested interests it is likely to have dysfunction as well. If it serves to solidify society, to reinforce social norms, to provide answers to ultimate questions and reconcile people to hardships, it also can serve to divide a society. There have been and still are many instances in which differences in beliefs and rituals are the occasion for competition, argument, political conflict, family disagreement and even physical violence. At the very least, people learn that their own sect carries truth and other sects are tainted with falsehood, a belief which creates in-groups and out-groups between which mutual understanding is difficult.

Science and society

Few centuries ago science was the private hobby of wealthy gentlemen of leisure. It was of so little practical importance that throughout the Napoleonic wars, scientists traveled freely between France and England to share their harmless conversation.

Today, science is institutionalized. This means that it is recognized as highly important. It is standardized; scientists throughout the world follow the same basic methods and procedures, for there is no theist or atheist way to conduct a scientific experiment or to programme a computer.

Science is the systemic quest for verifiable knowledge and dependable orderly sequence, following certain rules and procedures. Scientific investigation turns up new findings through methods which have been thoroughly institutionalized. Scientists work in predictable ways to bring about unpredictable discoveries. Interaction of other social institutions with science and technology is the most powerful influence of our time. This influence works both ways. Other institutions influence science and vice versa.

Science has become major institution in modern times. It can be safely said that science has greater effect upon our social relationship than any other institution. It contributes toward society in following ways:

Social Change

Before the advent of science the pace of social change was very slow. The emergence of science in the society changed the same. Expansion of knowledge gave birth to a scientific mind which overthrew old stagnant institutions to establish new one conducive to their environment. Society took a leap from agrarian to industrial world. People from rural areas started migration to cities in search of jobs created by scientific discoveries and inventions. At the same time research in agricultural field increased production. Over agricultural production caused exchange in local and international markets.

Health Facilities

Superstitions started losing foundations with the emergence of science. Centuries old methods of patient treatment were replaced with the new scientific ones. Research in medical field rid the humanity of many health hazards. This progress in medicine and diagnostic equipments has eradicated many fatal  diseases of the past. The normal average life has increased all over the world. Cruel killers like smallpox, cholera, plague and typhoid don’t kill large number of people today. Numerous women used to die during child birth but now the situation is different. Science has brought revolutionary changes in medical field.

Communication and Information

In old days information about far off places was scanty. There was no easy communication and exchange of information. Science has facilitated communication. Travel and exchange of information have become easy. Computer has brought revolutionary changes in information exchange. Inventions of electrical engineering caused many positive changes and added to the facilities of human life.

Comforts of Life

Facilities available at home are the outcome of scientific discoveries and inventions. At present we can hardly find any aspect of our lives not affected by science.

Science helps us conquer the forces of nature and make full use of material resources. As a result standard of living has improved and our social environment has become more conducive to living. New discoveries and expansion of knowledge work for this comfort.

Economic Development

Because of science social evil of poverty has shrunk its tentacles. Economic development is a contribution of science for the uplift of the people. In advanced countries poverty has almost been eliminated while in backward countries reduced.

Along with advantages there are certain disadvantages of science which negatively affect social life. Scientific mind believes in what is verifiable and rejects what is metaphysical. This confined approach makes human life meaningless. Science does not look beyond its limitations. This attitude complicates the situation and leads to conflicts. Society loses harmony and fails to sail smoothly. In such a society only the fittest can survive while the weaker lot is left aside to perish. Its discoveries and inventions have created environmental problems of air, water and soil. The fear of the effacement of humanity from the face of earth is also its side effect.

Anyhow, an appropriate use of scientific knowledge in planning the future of mankind can bring about important social changes in the society. It does not admit moral or social values such as friendship, happiness, goodness etc. If young men want to become good citizens they must be intellectually and imaginatively aware of the values underlie human beliefs, motives and conduct. In this period of history, religion is of tremendous importance to be good members of a good society.

Conclusion

Above discussion safely leads us to the conclusion that science and religion are important institutions of society. They help society keep going. For the proper development of human life man needs two kinds of things i.e.(a) resources to maintain life and fulfill the material needs of the individual and society, and (b) knowledge of the principles of individual and social behaviour to enable man to have self-fulfillment and to maintain justice and tranquility in human life. To cater for the material needs of man God has provided nature with all kinds of resources, which lie at the disposal of man. Through the help of science man can exploit these resources. To provide for his spiritual, social and cultural needs God raised His prophets from among men and revealed to them code of life (religion) which can guide man’s steps to the right path. Spirit and matter together create balance in society.

This is also a fact that both religion and science suffered bitter relations. This conflict occurred in western Christian world. They had made old myths and Greek thought part of their religion. When early scientists discovered the truth through scientific observations, the priestly class considered it attack on religion. The defenders of religion adopted punitive measures and deprived many scientists of their lives. This attitude made scientists reactionary. They made up their mind not to consider any philosophy of life that did not fall within the scope of their observation. To them only senses based knowledge was the truth. Thus religion started receding to the background. The Muslims had no direct conflict with science but changes in the western world made them feel that science would weaken their religious foundations. In fact, religion positively supports the scientific adventures of discovery. Science looks for those ways in which religion paves the way for some of its ideas and gives a special kind of blessing to the scientific quest for the truth.

The revolt against religion created many social problems for the western society. The society was divided and made victim of materialism, selfishness, crimes, being indifferent, hopelessness, hypocrisy and pretension. This is not in the interest of world society. Religion can help here. It produces moral behaviour and offers people a world view. It encourages one to rise above selfish interests and involve oneself with the needs of others.

I conclude my paper with what Freud says:

Religion is a tremendous force which exerts its power over the strongest emotions of human beings. Religion and science might be compatible if religion, offering men something, incomparably more beautiful, more comforting and more ennobling than anything they could ever get from science. (Great Ideas: p. 683)

BIBLIOGRAPHY

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Durant, Will, The Pleasure of Philosophy, (New York: Simon and Schuster, 1953).

Haught, John F.,:The Religion and Science: From Conflict to Conversation, (New York: Paulist Press, 1995).

Horton, Paul B. and Chester L. Hunt, Sociology, (New Delhi:1996).

Marwat, Ghulam Qasim, “Science-Religion: From Conflict to Conversation”, Science-Religion Dialogue, Vol.1 No.2, (Mansehra: HSSRD, 2003).

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Yahya, Harun, The Nightmare of Disbelief, (New Delhi: 2002).

___________ Crude Understanding of Disbelief _________

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