Physical Reality, Epistemology And Function Of Religion

Scientists distinguish their work from religion by exploring physical reality, epistemology, methodology, and functions (Bethel, 2018). Scientists base their studies on physical matters or physical reality and religion based their studies on religious spiritual beliefs. Scientists can produce physical evidence of their studies and beliefs whereas religion requires faith and hope in what is considered truth since there is no evidence that can be examined and physically proven as fact. Scientists have different epistemology processes than religions. Scientific epistemology, or knowledge foundation, is based on the justification or proof of their beliefs through evidence and physical proof instead of relying on faith and revelations (Steup, 2018).

Scientific methodology is based on exploration and experimentation that can be duplicated by others. Individuals that firmly believe in religion or creationism cannot recreate the miracles that are told in scriptures of religious literature (Bethel, 2018). Scientific functions can contribute to improving physical aspects of life whereas religion offers hope for eternal salvation after this world.
The government tends to side with evolution over religion when it comes to matters of educating students in history and science but those who a devote to their religion stand firm on their belief that students should be educated on all theories of how the universe came to be (Bethel, 2018). Since religion was not going to be taught in, creationists attempted to put for the idea of creation science for public schools. This idea did follow through for Arkansas in 1981. Science teachers were expected to give equal attention to the science of creationism as they did to evolution. One taught that the creation of the earth was sudden and from nothing. The other taught that the creation of the earth was “a gradual emergence of life from nonlife” (Bethel, 2018, np).