Contradiction: Science and Christianty

Francis Espiritu

ENGL 48B
Emily Dickinson Journal

March 15, 2011

Author Quote: " 'Faith' is a fine invention, For Gentlemen who see! But microscopes are prudent, In an Emergency!" (Dickinson 80)

Internet Quote: "In 1845, a religious revival took place in Amherst, resulting in 46 confessions of faith among Dickinson's peers.^[26] Dickinson wrote to a friend the following year: "I never enjoyed such perfect peace and happiness as the short time in which I felt I had found my savior."^[27] She went on to say that it was her "greatest pleasure to commune alone with the great God & to feel that he would listen to my prayers."^[27] The experience did not last: Dickinson never made a formal declaration of faith and attended services regularly for only a few years.^[28] After her church-going ended, about 1852, she wrote a poem opening: "Some keep the Sabbath going to Church – / I keep it, staying at Home"." (Wikipedia; Emily Dickinson)

Summary: Dickinson states that religion and faith is an invention of man. If anything, religion is used more for guidance as opposed to allowing it to actually fully consume your life. Yet despite the contradictions the two views of religion and science may have towards each other; even for the most religious individual, when it actually boils down it, science is what saves their life in the long run. So even if someone is very religious, in the long run they have to turn to science to ultimately save their lives.

Personal opinion: I do not think that science and religion have to butt heads. If anything, I believe that the two can actually go together. As seen in the Da Vinci code novels by Dan Brown, many of the ideas of science and religion are proven to coincide with each other; and despite the stories being works of fiction, the ideas logically come together and are possible. What makes religion amazing is that faith is more of a guidance and could be a way of life. Yet it is those who live on the extreme ends of faith who make people doubt their own religions; like the people who denounce Christmas stating that "If you believe in Christmas, you will go to Hell!" It is people who live to those extreme measures and do not believe in science, are the ones who ultimately die due to sickness, not being allowed to accept science. Science is a great thing, it has allowed people to live longer, as well as advanced modern society. So two great things that contradict, is it possible to allow them to coincide together? The answer is yes, you just have to know how to balance the two ideas.