Jamie Jensen: The Perceived Tension Between Science and Religion
Sep 13, 2023
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Jamie Jensen, Biology professor at Brigham Young University, discusses how science and religion can coexist. She shares strategies for helping students approach science in a way that enhances their understanding of God’s wonders. Topics include teaching science to students of faith, the comparison of scientific and spiritual evidence, the harm of dogmatism, the importance of basing faith on correct evidence, and being 'all in' the gospel of Jesus Christ while integrating science and religion.
Science and religion can coexist when individuals view science as agnostic and use spiritual evidence alongside scientific evidence.
Promoting understanding and reconciliation between science and religion is essential, and educators should teach real science in alignment with the principles of the gospel.
Deep dives
Understanding the Importance of Reconciling Science and Religion
Dr. Jamie Jensen, a professor at Brigham Young University, emphasizes the need to reconcile science and religion through her teaching and research. She explains that this reconciliation allows individuals to see the hand of God in their lives. Jensen and her co-author have developed a reconciliation model that helps students navigate the perceived conflict between science and faith, preventing them from experiencing a crisis of faith. Over time, students' views on the compatibility of science and religion have evolved, with more recognizing how they can coexist. Jensen encourages viewing science as agnostic, highlighting that it cannot prove or disprove the existence of God. The scientific process and the process of gaining a testimony share similarities but differ in the evidence they employ. Jensen also cautions against the false dichotomy of pitting science against religion, which is fueled by misconceptions from both religious and non-religious individuals. She underscores the importance of avoiding dogmatism and basing one's faith on correct evidence, noting the harmful effects of pseudoscience. Finally, Jensen explains how evolution can be understood in a way that supports one's faith while acknowledging that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints remains neutral on scientific theories, including evolution.
Exploring the Importance of Uncertainty and Comfort with Uncertainty
Jensen delves into the challenges of uncertainty and encourages individuals to become comfortable with it. She shares her own journey of discovering the limits of scientific knowledge and how it fostered a love for uncertainty. Many students, however, struggle with uncertainty due to the certainty they encounter in textbooks and religious teachings. Jensen suggests fostering a culture where it is acceptable to be unsure, both in science and religion. She highlights the need for students to understand that uncertainty does not diminish their faith. Furthermore, Jensen warns against dogmatism, which closes one's mind to additional information and can harm the testimonies of others. She advises basing one's faith on correct evidence and avoiding false evidence that may arise from pseudoscience. Jensen emphasizes the importance of teaching real science and recommends seeking out resources from scientists who are also faithful members of religious communities.
Understanding the Compatibility of Evolution and Faith
Jensen provides insights into reconciling evolution with faith. She explains that evolution can be viewed as the mechanism through which God created life on Earth. Jensen underscores that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints maintains a neutral stance on evolution and human evolution. While some members may find reconciling evolution and faith challenging, Jensen assures that understanding the nature of science and the role of God as the Creator can help alleviate concerns. She encourages individuals to view evolution as a tool used by God and stresses that accepting the scientific evidence supporting evolution does not diminish the power or majesty of God. Jensen acknowledges the unknowns regarding how Adam and Eve fit into the evolutionary process and advises students to explore various perspectives while building their testimonies on spiritual evidence.
Promoting Understanding and Reconciliation Between Science and Religion
Jensen highlights the importance of promoting understanding and reconciliation between science and religion. She discusses the harmful misconception that accepting evolution requires rejecting God, emphasizing that science is not atheistic but rather agnostic. Jensen addresses the need for students to learn about the nature of science and the principles of the gospel. She cautions against creating a false dichotomy between science and religion, which can be perpetuated by both scientists and religious individuals. Jensen stresses the importance of basing one's faith on correct evidence and understanding how scientific theories, such as evolution, can coexist with religious beliefs. She calls on parents and educators to teach real science in a way that aligns with the principles of the gospel and recommends seeking resources from scientists who are also faithful members of religious communities.
According to a 2015 Pew Research study, 59 percent of Americans believe that science and religion are often in conflict. This perceived tension between the two can be especially challenging for students in fields such as biology, who may encounter scientific theories that seem to contradict their faith. As a biology professor at Brigham Young University, Jamie Jensen has seen firsthand how science can either deepen or diminish students’ spirituality. In this week’s episode, she shares strategies for helping students approach science in a way that enhances their understanding of God’s wonders, rather than detracting from it.
“When you’re building a testimony and you’re gathering spiritual evidence, that evidence is still real, it’s still measurable, but the instrumentation we use is different. So instead of using thermometers, or rulers or calipers, we’re using our spiritual eyes, personal revelation, feelings that are inside, and it’s just as real, but it’s not as tangible.” —Jamie Jensen
Show Notes
1:45- Teaching Science to Students of Faith 6:02- Scientific Process and Spiritual Process 8:42- Big S Science and Little S Science 10:56- Science is Agnostic? 19:18- Comfortable in Uncertainty 24:19- Dogmatism 26:17- Correct Evidence and False Evidence 29:37- Teaching Science in the Home 32:17- One Take on Evolution 43:03- What Does It Mean To Be All In the Gospel of Jesus Christ?