Warning: Science as a religion

I am a scientist at heart.  I love the spirit of inquiry, the spirit of creative exploration that comes with it!  The true scientists doesn't take other people's observations at face value, but asks "how?" and "why?"

However, that is not the spirit in which science is being taught to millions of students and adults, the "congregation" of the religion of science.  Sure, to "ask questions, discover, explore!" is paid lip-service, but is that really what is being taught?

Imagine, a child sitting down to a science test in grade school, writing down the "wrong" answer, and then telling the teacher that, based on his own observations, he doesn't believe the "current interpretation of the evidence" and believes his answer could be right.

What would that child be told?  In most cases, I submit, this would be the response: "You are wrong.  It has been scientifically proven."

Don't believe me?  What would happen if you went into an elementary classroom and said that it was possible the dinosaurs did not in fact roam the earth, but that their presence in the archeaological record is due to our earth being comprised of the matter of other, extinct worlds, where dinosaurs had roamed?  Does that fly in the face of current scientific "dogma," or what has been accepted as scientifically proven?

Dangerously powerful words, "scientifically proven."  Words that teach to not question, but to accept...and to accept that which is so often proven wrong in a matter or years or even hours!

Think about it.  What happens when a "ground-breaking new idea!" comes out in the field of science?  Textbooks and tests world-wide are re-written, articles are published, and the scientific "facts" are changed...that easily.    Scientists may understand and embrace the difference between theory and law, but that is not how it is presented.  Millions accept anything "scientific" instantly as the latest "fact" in the religion of science.  The "foundations" of science are so easily changed...and so faithfully believed.

That is what happened in 1935 when Japanese physicist Hideki Yukawa changed our currently accepted understanding of the atom.  He challenged, interpreted, and creatively spun a new twist on an old theory and voila! New "truth" was found and mesons became part of our current model.

In a more personal example, I remember distinctly holding my first child in my arms 17 years ago and being firmly instructed by nurse clothed in the mantle of authority that I must, for the good of my baby, be very careful to clean her umbilical cord in a specific and regular manner.

Fast forward 12 years and I found myself in the same situation: cradling a new infant in my arms and being told firmly and authoritatively that I must not touch the umbilical cord in the best interest of my child.

It had been "scientifically proven" both times.

Now, don't get me wrong.  Remember, I love science!  I love the pursuit of truths and patterns in the world around me!  However, I am concerned with how it is being taught to the public at large: theories as facts.  As a grade schooler, I was taught "facts" about dinosaurs and evolution.  In junior high and high school, the depth of indoctrination went deeper with "truths" and "facts" being taught and tested into me.

Lo and behold, I hit Yale University Evolution 260 and all of a sudden these "facts" become theories?  Why was I not taught the problems with and options to radiocarbon dating?  Why was I not clearly schooled in the difference between mirco-evolution (changes of a creature to adapt to their environment--well documented) and macro-evolution (the change from one species to another--never "documented")? How could I not see that the "evidence" for evolution of years past was the same small collection of bones, being re-discussed and re-visited with new sub-theories, with specimen so far and in between that they are individually named?

Remember, I call myself a scientist (although after reading this, I am sure some would love to differ :)...).  I love discussing evolution and other scientific theories!  I think it is exciting to consider possibilities!  However, I am frustrated that those who would like to explore all possibilities of man and his origins and explanations for the world around us are shouted down as "religionists" and figuratively burned at the stake. 

For instance, I just read the commentaries on an article titled "Creationism vs. Evolution" for a science class the other day--the commentaries, not so much of the article itself, ironically enough. Even if you don't understand everything they discuss in the commentaries, the mood is obvious. The words used to verbally attack those who tried to share the viewpoint of "creationism" (belief that God created the university) were similar to those I imagine used by the authorities of the Catholic Church who attacked Galileo and Copernicus...ironically enough.  They were attacks based largely upon belief systems and not facts, from people indoctrinated in the "authority" of the "religion of science" that is currently preached and never questioned. 

Interesting.  The beliefs of the "religion of science" are questioned, but not the authority of it.  Hmmm...an interesting riddle.  Food for thought.

My purpose in writing this is to hopefully wake people up to what they are being taught through media and in the academic world, subconsciously and religiously: that science can prove anything and is the ultimate source of truth...science, which is built upon the observations and limited perception of imperfect people like you and I. 

I celebrate science and what that field has discovered and how it has blessed my life.  However, I do not believe everything that is "scientifically proven" at face value.   Nor should we complacently accept what modern science demands of our children and the public at large: childlike faith and belief in anything it offers.

Moment of humor :)

Looking around

As I have looked back over the past few months, I am grateful for the peace and calm that has been a part of our family life.  I have seen great strength and patience in my children and husband as they have watched me struggle...and struggled to know what to do themselves.  There was an outpouring of security to surround me in my inner turmoil and I look back with gratitude.

It was interesting that the turning point, I felt, was an answer I received while listening to my mother's homecoming talk in December.  She shared how some of the Germans they visited were very depressed and lonely.  "If only they would reach out and visit each other!" she testified. "They would have felt joy and friendship with each other!"

As I listened to her say that, I felt that it was part of my answer...part of the solution to my problem, my turmoil.  Reach out.  Visit.  Take that first step.  That is not what a depressed person wants to hear :).  It requires action.  It requires putting yourself out there.  It requires thinking of others when it is so hard to even deal with thinking about yourself.

However, God's ways are not our ways and that was His answer.  My choice was whether or not to do it.

Tentatively, I started reaching out, sharing, and asking a few people to do things with me, spend time with me, and, --on that occasion when I felt more willing than at other times-- I gently reached out to seek for some help, hesitantly offering a bit of what I was going through inside.  It was humbling to see the result.  So many of us are hurting, alone, and wanting others to reach out to seek us out, to show us that we matter, that others are thinking of us.  Just think of it: so many of us feeling isolated, living side-by-side.

While I don't understand it myself, God's ways are not my ways and I am finding that when I follow these strange and hard solutions He sends, peace eventually comes...in His time. 

Finding a measure of peace

It has been an interesting journey so far, but I have found some peace...ahhhh, joyful peace.

The Savior offers peace, not as the world giveth peace, which is how I was seeking it.

I found a measure as I listened to the following talk:

I was particularly struck by the following part:

What are the sources of peace? Many search for peace in worldly ways, which never have and never will succeed. Peace is not found by attaining great wealth, power, or prominence.²² Peace is not found in the pursuit of pleasure, entertainment, or leisure. None of these can, even when attained in abundance, create any lasting happiness or peace.

Emma Lou Thayne’s beloved hymn asks the appropriate questions: “Where can I turn for peace? Where is my solace when other sources cease to make me whole?”²³ The answer is the Savior, who is the source and author of peace. He is the “Prince of Peace.”²⁴

How do we stay close to the Savior? Humbling ourselves before God, praying always, repenting of sins, entering the waters of baptism with a broken heart and contrite spirit, and becoming true disciples of Jesus Christ are profound examples of the righteousness that is rewarded by abiding peace.

 Daily or even hourly repenting when those negative, unhealthy thoughts come to mind has been a balm.  For some reason, I had convinced myself subconsciously that I needed to "fix it" and then repent...and then it would be conquered.  I keep doing that!  To turn to the Savior, needing Him and seeking His power every moment I need it has been humbling but has brought a measure of peace I have not felt for a long time.  I can seek to obey commandments and repent and strive...those are things I can do, even if I do not feel that I have the emotional control and mental control that seems to be slipping and gone :).