Science as a New Religion: The Quest for Understanding and Validation

Science is often hailed as the new religion, a belief system in its own right, that seeks to explain the complexities of the universe. However, with differing ideologies within the scientific community, it's becoming increasingly apparent that science cannot continue to pretend it is living in an early 20th-century mindset. The age of 'settled science' and rigid 'facts' has long passed. Science must either reassess itself or submit to the assessment of an independent body if one exists.

Science in the 21st Century

Consider the paradox of scientific inquiry, where the generation of the universe itself is theorized to have come from nothingness. Theories like the Big Bang, while compelling, still leave us questioning the origins of energy and the universe. Other posited theories, such as universes colliding to form our observable universe, merely shift the complexity to an almost infinity of universes, all the way down.

The current state of science, therefore, is in a constant state of re-evaluation and uncertainty. Concepts that were once 'settled' are now open to question, and theories that were once definitive are now mere opinions. It is a humbling realization that the very core of what we call science is not as infallible as we once thought.

A Wake-Up Call for the Scientific Community

Science requires a wake-up call from those with the intelligence and objectivity to challenge its current paradigms. The scientific community needs to accept that its explanations are often theory-based and open to revision. Science thrives on uncertainty, not because it lacks confidence, but because it recognizes the limits of current knowledge and method.

Religion, on the other hand, has traditionally held a position as the official decider of truth. However, its rigid adherence to dogma and a lack of adaptability to modern understanding have made it largely irrelevant in contemporary society. The Taliban's extreme actions, which seek to control knowledge, highlight the importance of freedom of scientific inquiry and expression.

Science and Religion: A Comparative Perspective

While religion and science have traditionally been seen as opposing forces, they also share many common ground. Both seek to understand the world and our place in it. What distinguishes them is the source of their assertions. Religion often relies on faith, myth, and divine revelation, while science relies on empirical evidence and rational thought.

However, the core of scientific inquiry, or Apara Jnana, is materialism and the understanding of the natural world. It is based on the premise that we can study and understand the world around us, using tools and knowledge gained through observation and experimentation. In the grand scheme of things, this knowledge ultimately serves to improve our lives and aid in the creation of a better world. This is a step towards Brahma Jnana or Para Jnana, which can be seen as the ultimate understanding of existence.

The Future of Science

Looking to the future, the current structure of science will likely break down as our understanding deepens and new questions arise. Science, like any field of knowledge, is not static. It must continue to evolve and adapt to new discoveries and challenges. In about 500 years, the scientific knowledge we possess today will seem archaic and simplistic, just as current physics seems to the pioneers of the 19th century.

The re-evaluation of science is not about diminishing its importance, but about acknowledging its limitations and ensuring that it remains a field of inquiry that is open to new ideas and challenges. Science, in its pursuit of knowledge, must never forget its roots in uncertainty and the infinite possibilities that await us in the exploration of the universe.