Science and Religion Flashcards
What does the term Hominin refer to?
The term Hominin refers to members of the tribe that includes all bipedal hominoids back to the last common ancestor with African apes. Only one species exists today, Homo sapiens, which are human beings.
What role did language play in the development of Hominin Societies?
One critical aspect which has indeed assisted with the development of the hominin society is the utilization and enhancement of communication. The use of language provided a platform for the hominids to share their feelings and new discoveries. Thus, preconceived thoughts came out of this and activated the ability to use past experience as a guide to approaching future situations differently, this, later on, developed to become social norms. Furthermore, language became a stepping stone for logical thinking which helped with the enhancement of tools, contributing to the development of society.
Why was this important for the development of Religion over time?
When one had a deep spiritual feeling it was considered to be peculiar to what others were feeling. The feeling that one felt in the gut had no way of expressing itself until the development of communication. What later on developed to be Language, helped broadcast the deep spiritual feeling which overtime became the doctrines of religion. To put it briefly, language helped one’s beliefs and visions to intervene in another’s life.
Describe the evidence that early hominins had burial rites. What beliefs may have accompanied them according to the evidence?
Human remains found in caves laying in fetal positions serve as fundamental evidence that suggests that Hominins had burial rights. Grave goods and flowers were sentimental artifacts that were placed alongside the deceased Hominin. Thus, according to this evidence, it can be implied that they must have held a belief that sought them to treat death so sacredly. They must have understood the concept of the soul.
What was this Age known as?
The Golden Age or Axial Age
During this time what other developments occurred in the area of knowledge?
This time was the breakthrough in second-order thinking. Society was moving from the continuous cosmos - the belief that everything was cyclical like the days of the week. Moreover, they oriented themselves in the world by understanding where they fit within the large narrative and metanarrative of society. In contrast, the Golden age gave birth to the process of second-order thinking. Second-order thinking is the understanding that our actions and moral choices have a direct influence on how the cosmos unfolds. Thus, people became conscious of the gift of existing and their limitations. This brought a new generation of wisdom teachings as people became aware of their cognition. Narratives were not only questioned but also put to the test. This age gave birth to fields like science, psychology, philosophy, and theology.
How did this Age help Religion develop over its years?
During this period of second-order thinking, theologians were constantly sitting on the hot seat as they were called to thoroughly explain and justify their religious doctrines. Despite the challenges that religion might have faced during that time, the constant interrogation really just strengthened religion more than it tried to disregard it. As an effect, manipulated or swayed to believe in a divine being without justification was no longer the case. The quest to find the ultimate truth within one’s self stimulated the mind to be opened to a range of possibilities. Time goes by and religion develops as its doctrines begin to include a degree of reflection and self-analysis.
Explain the context they lived in?
John Wycliffe lived during the 13th century. He lived in a time when the wave of society didn’t dare to prompt a tide that could ripple their social norms. During the 13th century, the Catholic church held substantial power great enough to rival state government.
Explain their discovery or new theory
John Wycliff disliked the fact that the Bible could only be read by religious leaders. This prevented followers of the church from truly interpreting God’s words on a personal and sentimental level. During this time, the Catholic Church exercised tight control over the reading of the text. Wycliffe felt peasants and common people should be able to read the Bible for themselves, rather than have the Catholic Church force its interpretation of the Bible on them. Thus, in 1382 Wycliff went on the pursuit to translate the bible into English which was a more diverse language that most people of all social status could comprehend, therefore interpret for themself.
Describe how this discovery or new theory challenged the Church.
John Wycliffe’s discovery assisted followers of Christ with grasping and understanding God’s words on a personal level. Although, as an effect, the church began to face major challenges, followers began to question religious traditions and rituals, asking if it really was a representation of God’s truth. The challenge for the church was trying to defend itself and justify its doctrines during this interrogation period.
How did the church respond to these theorists or reformers you have chosen in the above question?
In 1415 the Council of Constance declared Wycliffe a heretic. In 1428, at the order of Pope Martin V, Wycliffe’s body was dug up and burned.
Discuss this with reference to specific examples from different religions and philosophers and/or scientists
Martin Luther was a philosopher who believed that followers of Christ were not required to put anyone above themselves but their heavenly father. Moreover, Luther disputed and questioned the church’s methodology in dealing with followers’ sin and perception of the bible. His protest later on during the 16th century gained momentum from like-minded philosophers and theologians like Giordano Bruno, Galileo Galilei, John Wycliff, and Jan Hus who dedicated their lives to advancing spiritual practice beyond the literal form. Moreover, because of the brave act of religious reformers, other fields like science were upfront with their discoveries even if it would contradict some religious doctrines. Scientists like George Lemaitre who was also a priest discovered the big bang theory, a solid evidence-based theory that explains how the cosmos came to be the way it is. Henceforward, this discovery is regarded as one of the biggest advancements to civilization. Without these reformers bravely questioning religion, society would have perhaps not progressed beyond the religious world. Thus, fields like science would not dare to inquire about anything that could contradict religious beliefs. Instead, society would have continued indulging in their cyclical beliefs.
Explain Charles Darwin’s Theory of Evolution?
Charles Darwin was the great English neutralist, biologist and geologist known for his pioneering scientific theory of evolution by natural selection and adaptation which became the foundation of modern evolutionary studies. Evolution is the process by which modern organisms have descended from ancient organisms over time. Natural selection is an evolutionary mechanism in which individuals that are better suited to their environment survive and reproduce most successfully. Adaptation is a trait that improves an organism’s ability to survive and reproduce in an environment.
How did Charles Darwin’s Theory of Evolution challenge the Catholic Church?
Darwin’s theory challenged the Church’s sacred story ‘The Creation Story’. The church believed that God created everything that came to be today with an intention and not by accident like the theory of evolution suggests. The theory of evolutions also challenges the church’s perception of human importance on Earth. The church believes that humans were created first before the animals, however, evolution states that humans only came into existence millions of years after numerous animals.
How did the church respond to the challenge of Charles Darwin’s Theory of Evolution over time?
When Charles Darwin published the theory of evolution the church was quick to disregard it and label it as false because the equation left out God. Although over time the church’s understanding of evolution had developed and began to accept its concept. However, with the condition that the theory of evolution was all part of God’s plans for the world. The church has respectfully addressed the theory as a scientific explanation of how God achieved his great plan.
