UNIT 4: RELIGION, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Key Unit competence:Analyse the impact of science and technology on religious belief
4.1. Meaning of science and technology
Research and discovery are important for technological advancement
The examination of the influence of science and technology on religious life
demands a careful consideration. The study of both domains shows at the same
time a relation of dependence and interdependence. Thus, an attend to find the
meaning may reveal their resemblance and difference.
The word ‘science’ implies at the same time the knowledge and the means to
acquire the knowledge. It may also refer to the domain of study, a matter of
investigation, observation or experiment. The application of science is common
in everyday life aspects including health, transport, ecosystem, etc.
Technology refers to the application of knowledge in order to solve a specific
problem. The etymology of the concept shows the interdependence between
science and technology. From two words; ‘techno’- meaning application, art or
skills and ‘logy’ simply meaning science and/ or learning. Technology refers to
the methods, techniques, tools and devices created and used by man to solve
different problems (Younes & Al-Zoubi 2015:82). It may also denote the efforts
and actions aiming at rendering the work easier and productive towards a better
life.
The science deals with the production of knowledge while technology applies
the knowledge to solve problems. Equally, science may search for understanding
the accuracy of technology in use so that it can generate theories for future
developments (Kiyiki & Kiyiki 2007, pp. 47-48). Science is concerned with how
and why things happen while technology focuses on making things happen
(Waddell 2013).
Religion comprises a set of beliefs and worship practices in reverence to
a Supreme Being or deity. These beliefs and worship are transmitted into a
socio-cultural system of a given society implying a system of values, behaviours,
norms and moral ethics, etc. The religious life permits to hold a worldview. The
relationship between religion and science depends on the uses of science in
the spread of religious values to the large number of people and large space.
Another consideration may involve the value that religion accords to science
and technology. Religion defines norms and values to be maintained in the
society like courage, commitment, promptness. Thus, science and technology
are supported and vulgarised by a religious viewpoint. The relationship may be
independence, contact and union (Stanford Encyclopaedia Philosophy 2017).
Generally, science and religion find the common interest in the study of thecreated world.
4.2 Controversy on scientific and technological
advancement on human life and religious teachings
The science and technology have a great impact on the religious cannot be
overlooked. However, the views differ regarding the contribution of science and
technology in various domains of human life. On the other hand, their pressure
imposed on the human behaviour is deemed to lead to decline of the society
(Younes & Al-Zoubi 2015: 82). Thus, the impact science and technology on
moral life opens to a great debate. Despite the countless opportunities offered
by technology in various domains, views differ regarding the side consequences
of science and technology.
The progress of development could not be possible without the contribution
of science and technology. For instance, the modern life acknowledges the
importance of technology in facilitating communication and rendering the
world like one village. The development of the techniques of information has
reduced the distances, save time and effort in terms of access to information
and completion the transactions.
However, the moderate view considers also the effects of the new technologies as
leading to the decrease of the social and family ties. The religious fundamentalist
belief denies any compromise between science, technology and religion. This
view considers the modern technologies as abomination of Satan and that they
have contributed to the deterioration of values and lack of ethics while others
see it as a constructive means that we should take advantages of them (Younes
& Al-Zoubi 2015, p. 84).
There is a debate however concerning the complementarily and mutual
interdependency between science, technology and religious life. Nevertheless,
the abusive utilisation of the technology is said to lead to harmful and inhuman
actions. For instance, the fabrication of nuclear weapons, artificial products,
abortion, etc. has the negative effect on the human life and the natural creation.
Thus, the controversy is to assess the relationship between religion, science
and technology. Does religion contribute to science and technology and viceversa?
Should religion be distinct from science and technology like two different
masters that one cannot serve at the same time (Matthew 6: 24; Luke 20:
25)? How science and technology may serve better for the religious and moral
life? And inversely, how can religion promote the science and technologicaladvancement?
Swierstra (2017) notes three theories regarding the relationship religion,
science and technology: descriptive, normative and voluntarism.
The descriptive shows technology as working independently irrespective
of the human influence.
Inversely, the normative emphasizes the human choice to use technologies
in positive or negative way. Technologies are considered neutre objects
that can be manipulated by the human intention. As in the following
illustration: “If someone kills another person using a hammer, one does
not blame the hammer or its designer, only its user”.
The voluntarism combines both descriptive and normative; it seeks the
social factors in the technology use and development (pp 8-11).
The question remains to assess the potentials of science and technology as
well as the doubt on their side effects. Thus, the religious should evaluate
their position in relation to the progress of science and technology and their
destructive power on the human society. Linda (998: 384) notes the challenge of
believers in the era with growing technology along with evolving autocratic. The
author calls Christians to denounce the misuses of technology: speak against
the abortion, the manipulation of life, behaviour and death’. They have also to act
as peacemakers and overcome oppressive ideologies by the faith in the worldwhere the technology is subjected to manipulations unethical purposes.
4.3. Consequences of science and technology of
information on social and moral life
The development of science and technology has its side effect on natural,
social and moral life that cannot be overlooked. These vary from individual to
the community life. The inventory from Mohammad Bani Younes and Samer
Al-Zoubi shows numerous negative impacts of the use of modern technology
including:
1. The formation of personal beliefs social isolation;
2. Reduction in the family ties between the family and society members;
3. Inactivity;
4. Obesity;
5. Lack of desire to work different kinetic activities;
6. Waste of time in things that are not useful;
7. Increase in the rate of violence especially in children because of watching
violent programs, high crime rate because of spreading video clips
presenting all kinds of these crimes and ways of committing them and
8. The spread of lies and rumours causing distraction and loss of trust in
such information (2015, pp 82-83). etc
The excessive use of the new technology is susceptible to endanger the youth.
The more people spend time on social media and chatting may reduce the
concentration on tasks, which affects their future development. Aharon
Hersh Fried and Chaim E. Fried (2019) note the effects of technology on the
consciousness/awareness, interpersonal relations and communication, our
respect for privacy, and our sensitivity to truth and not hurting others. Technology
affects considerably the conscientiousness, concentration, awareness and
attention as the four basic areas that are affected in using technology. The social
media impose a hurry life hence resulting into the lack of the nice of language. In
addition, the uncontrolled diffusion of information sometimes constitutes a threat
against the human privacy, leading to the vulnerability. Thus, educating to the
conscious use of science and technology becomes a necessity for constructivepurpose (Younes & Al-Zoubi 2015, p. 83).
4.4 Importance of science and technology to Religion
The impact of science and technology on humankind has been transformative
on many levels. In particular, the birth of the Internet and its use by society
has changed the way people communicate, learn and understand the world.
Alongside the consumer aspect of technology, the advances in science and
technology have also made great changes in various aspects of life. The mastery
of the technological tools becomes the essential of basic literacy.
Technology is crucial to religious life as positive religious belief is central to the
development of technology in any society. Religion is a philosophical thought
that directs the human response, motivation and adequate choices to deal
with challenges. Science and technology evolve from the religious foundation
as means adopted by a given society. Thus, religion and technology find a
coincidence and mutual facilitation. Although the challenges of technology are
mostly observed in the use of media, smart phone, the benefits of technology
in promoting religious life remain fundamental. The use of the internet, social
media, smart phones, apps and cloud phone system essential tools for
religious organizations. They enable members of the congregation access to
sacred scriptures (Bible, Qur’an) and sources or information necessary for the
strengthening of the faithful through the electronic system (Alleman 2018).
Another consideration bases on the historical view on reciprocal influence of
religion and science/technology. The foundation of the religious communities
such as monasteries was based on both religious and science development.
The schools started from monasteries, one among the community life was the
link the prayer with work and vice-versa. The work is considered as a form of
worship, and thus technology finds roots in efforts attempting the improvement
of work (Austine 2019). The religious scriptures show the relevance of the
science as fundamental value along with other virtues. For instance, the appeal
from Peter calls at the dilegent search of science: “Now for this very reason
also, apply all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your
moral excellence, knowledge, and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your
self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, and in your
godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love” (2 Peter 1:5-7).
4.5 End Unit Assessment
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