Oil and Water

07Feb08

It is often said that science and religion are like oil and water. But I think it is more than that. I believe a more apt analogy is Hydrogen and Oxygen. It’s an explosive mixture, and like any violent chemical reaction, it can be used for good or ill. Hydrogen and Oxygen mixed with other substances can be used to kill people or destroy property. Used constructively the reaction can be used to propel rockets into orbit, power automobiles, generate heat. Interestingly, the end result is always water. H20, the substance of life.

So following this analogy, any debate between science and religion seems stupid. It would be a lot like asking which is the better element, Oxygen or Hydrogen? Which is true? Oxygen or Hydrogen?

Furthermore, if we stop trying to use one to annihilate the other for a moment, and try to see where they are similar, we end up with very inspirational concepts.

For example:

The value of Time.

Religion tells us that our time on this earth is fleeting, temporary and should therefore not be spent foolishly. Science also tells us that time moves in one direction and cannot be reversed, and your lifespan is limited to a few decades to a century at best. Keeping this in mind, the only option is to make each passing second count. Always bear in mind that each breath you take could be your last, and so revel in the moment. Dont put things off for later, or tomorrow. Do it now and make it count. At the end of each day, before you close your eyes to sleep, you should be able to tell yourself that you lived the day to its fullest. If not then you have cheated yourself out of 24 hours. Make each day count.

The value of Love:

One of the basic concepts a religion teaches is to put others before yourself. Even the recently despised Scientology religion encourages it. Love thy neighbor as you love thyself. Do unto others as you want others to do unto you. The Golden Rule, foundation of ethics. In the science world it is known as altruism. One of the greatest paradoxes in life. Putting others before yourself gives meaning to your life, being selfless for selfish reasons. Good actions propagate through society and benefits everyone, evil actions propagate and harm everyone.

Freedom, Freewill, Social responsibility, Equality… the list goes on.

Set your goals high. Push yourself a 100% to achieve it. In anything that you do. a hundred percent. and when you fail, and you often will, perhaps more times than you will succeed. Revel in the pain. immerse yourself in it. Feel every second of it. Remember it, because it will make success all the more sweeter.

When you wake up in the morning, and you feel like staying under the sheets, praying for the weekdays to pass by quickly so you can get to the weekends, get up, go to the mirror, look yourself in the eye, and give yourself a hard slap in the face. Make each second count. Make each day the best day of your life. You deserve nothing less.

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Tags: Philosophy, Religion, Science