Improvement Era, February 1929

Improvement Era Vol. XXXII FEBRUARY. 1929 No. 4 Religion and Science A COMPARISON AND A CONTRAST By Prof. James L. Barker, of the University of Utah NEW discoveries in science are usually accepted, though not al- ways, within a short time after they are made. One hundred years after the Prophet Joseph began giving new religious truths to the world, his teachings are accepted by only a very small part of the earth's population: and, a hundred years after His death, the mission of the Savior had met with no more general favor. Why this difference in the readiness with which the world accepts scientific and religious truth? Is it that scientific truth can be tested and, on the contrary, religious truth can not? It is generally agreed that it is possible to test much, if not all. of scientific theory. Is it likewise possible to test the beliefs of re- ligion? If religious belief can be tested, wherein do methods .of evaluating and testing truth in science and religion agree and wherein do they differ? If science and religion are in harmony, will they continue to be in accord tomorrow and next year? Religion is held by some in less high regard than formerly because they think that its beliefs are in conflict with science. Others point out an essential agreement in the facts of religion and science. Be that as it may. it would seem that it is not sufficient to indicate an agreement at any given moment in order to reconcile religion and science, but rather a demonstration is needed that eventually there can be no conflict and consequently any disagreement that may pos- sibly exist today or tomorrow can not be vital. Temporary disagreement alone does not seem to be fatal either in religion or science. In religion there have been conflicting beliefs: during the life time of Jesus, the Gospel was thought to be for the children of Israel only: after the vision given to Peter, it was preached to the Gentiles: before the time of the Savior, signs were sometimes given to demonstrate the divine calling of the servants of God. Aaron's rod was changed to a serpent, the false prophets were con- sumed by fire: on the contrary. Jesus condemned those who should seek after a sign.