Table of Contents

EDITORIAL

hen one talks about Science – Religion Interaction a very pertinent question arises: why there should be a dialogue between the two? Many scholars maintain that religion has nothing to do with the areas that fall within the jurisdiction of science and vice versa. Indeed, this notion has prevailed ever since the advent of modern science. The development of science during this period was largely independent of religious influence. One far-reaching consequence of this situation was the emergence of two world-views; one of science and the other of religion. Scientific world-view had an element of arrogance for it claimed to be based on empirical and experimental method of approaching reality. On the other hand, religious world-view was outrightly rejected in scientists’ community on account of being based on those sources of approaching reality which could not be tested empirically. These parallel approaches remained separated for a long time. But now the situation is changing and two approaches are coming closer to understand each other.

Indeed, religion has become a dire need of humanity in an age when science has ‘blessed’ man with such deadly arsenals which, if used on a large scale, could extinct all living creatures from the face of the earth. Science has failed to provide a mechanism to avert the disastrous situation; here religion comes into play. Religion has the power to provide a direction to man; it gives sense of right and wrong; it inculcates values like compassion, love, fear of accountability, dignity of humanity, etc. Divine guidance can go a long way in delivering the humanity from existing dreadful and perilous situation. This scenario takes us to a verse of the Holy Quran in which Allah Almighty promises elimination of fear and sorrow from the lives of those who follow divine guidance; The Holy Quran reads;

(We said) “Get ye down all together; and if, as is sure, there comes to you Guidance from Me, whosoever follows My Guidance, on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve.” (2:38)

Hazara Society for Science – Religion Dialogue endeavours to bring traditionalists and modernists closer for a meaningful dialogue This is the second issue of the Science – Religion Dialogue, that includes some of the papers read during the Second National Seminar on Science – Religion Interaction (November, 2002). Comments and contribution from men of letters would be appreciated.

Editors