What Religion Gives us that science can’t

Gray Taylor

October 9, 2018

What Religion Gives us that science can’t

Although religious belief is at an all time low, society needs it now more than ever. (Neuhauser) Prominent scientists and atheists that argue against religion do so from a logical perspective, using the scientific method as the parameter that others are to judge their beliefs against. Said atheists fail to take into account the amygdala— the older and more primitive section of the brain that regulates our emotions (some scientist argue that the amygdala has more of an affect on our decisions than the logical portion). The debate should not be whether religions doctrines are true and or logical but if said religions do more good than harm to society. Science can give us knowledge and understanding, but no amount of evolutionary theory is conducive to dealing with the immense mental toll of our impending death. While some escape the harsh realities of our world by self medication via drugs and alcohol, others take advantage of the structure and community religion provides. Religion instills a sense of peace and belonging in an individual, especially in the face of tragedy. Philosophy professor Stephen T. Asma suggests an example of this: “Five years ago, he explained, his older teenage brother had been brutally stabbed to death, viciously attacked and mutilated by a perpetrator who was never caught. My student, his mother and his sister were shattered. His mother suffered a mental breakdown soon afterward and would have been institutionalized if not for the fact that she expected to see her slain son again” this quote shows the immense power of religion as an emotional stabilizer.

In addition to the value religion adds to society as a therapeutic agent, it also plays a majorly understated role in ethics. Religion incentives many to live an upstanding life. Despite the portrayal of American Christians and other religious groups as radical peoples, the majority are upstanding citizens who do their best to love and accept others. Religion incentives altruistic behavior itself and provides a common platform for people to help their community. 

All of this is not to say religion is without its issues. Corruption in churches, religious violence and conflicts (an estimated 1.7 million people died from the crusades alone) and radical hate groups are real problems; however, when one takes into account all the ways religion makes the world a better place it is clear that the benefits out weigh the detriments. Perhaps as a society, we have killed God to soon. While our understanding of the universe has grown “leaps and bounds” since popular religious texts such as the Bible or the Quran were written, our ability to control our emotional responses via logic has largely stayed the same. Humanity is at a strange point in history—clever enough to deduce logical inconsistencies in our ancestors mythical texts—but not enough to emotionally cope with the sobering realities of the universe. Today’s mental health issues have led many to begin taking emotional problems much more serious; however, society is largely ignoring a millennia old solution: religion.