A question in the mind of every individual in every culture around the world, which satisfies an inner need for truth and consolation? An institution designed to control the masses and disseminate its particular political and ethical belief system throughout the population? Faith and religion, myth vs. reality – this was the topic of the latest Science Café meeting on April 29th in the Madou Auditorium.
The session started with a viewing of the first part of the 2007 documentary Zeitgeist. This section of the film (titled 'The Greatest Story Ever Sold') essentially tries to debunk Christianity by drawing attention to the many similarities between it and other religions which predate it. The film claims that much of Christian symbolism, including the imagery around the figure of Jesus, can be explained in terms of astronomical observations of the zodiac and the movement of the sun and has been borrowed from earlier traditions. It also points out that the construct of God has many human characteristics.
Following the screening the 15 participants engaged in a spirited debate about faith and religion. There were advocates for the whole spectrum of belief, from regular churchgoers to sworn atheists, and this only helped to intensify the discussion! Before getting to religion generally the film just watched was discussed and criticised, especially by some of the historians present. After this first round things turned to Christianity specifically. Different personal experiences of religious education in schools around Europe provided a useful jumping off point and from there we eventually ended up in smaller groups debating various aspects of religion or faith.
As the discussion went on many subtopics were touched upon and lots of philosophers were quoted… including that well known truth-seeker Oscar Wilde, who said that "science is the record of dead religions". There was some debate as to what he meant exactly!
Nobody expected to reach final conclusions – it was all about the questions: Is there an inherent contradiction between science and religion? Would you want a biology teacher who is religious to teach your children? What is the difference between religion and the institutions that develop around it? Should you respect people who believe something you think is ridiculous? Is faith a gift?
Everyone was glad to share their opinions and to listen to ideas drastically different from their own. Maybe some people even left with new insights on this topic which seems to have a central role in our lives…
There is plenty of scope to continue the conversation with the next Science Café discussion on determinism and free will on Friday May 13th. Whoever wants to confront this new subject prepare your arsenal of arguments and join us!
Lefteris Mamais,
DG ENTR
To join the next Science Café discussion contact Eleftherios Mamais or Patricia Vale Vasconcelos Cerveira Pinto on their Commission emails.
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