Section 1.1: Science vs. Religion

A common assertion claims, "Science is just a religion interpreted differently. Religions were once considered the ultimate truth before science emerged." Such comments often provoke frustration among scientists and advocates of scientific realism, especially when made by those lacking understanding of either domain.

Faith alone does not equate to knowledge. The study of religion can be as rigorous as scientific inquiry, and it is often the religious scholars who possess deep insights into various faiths, rather than the average believer. By definition, science and religion are distinctly different categories rather than two interchangeable belief systems.

Many people mistakenly believe that "religion has made claims that science later verified." This misconception suggests that religion functions as a rigorous system akin to science, with the primary difference lying in their interpretations. Some extreme views even argue that religion predates science, having reached correct conclusions long before scientific validation.

It would be disheartening if millennia of human existence and the collective wisdom of billions of believers failed to yield any reasonable insights about the world. The arguments presented above imply that anyone has the right to assert their beliefs, regardless of their verifiability. However, if such beliefs happen to be correct by chance, they still do not constitute scientific claims. Coincidence remains just that—coincidence.

Section 1.2: The Nature of Religious Claims

Religion has historically made numerous proclamations, not all of which align with factual reality. If the accurate assertions had been "scientific," how would we categorize the false ones? For instance, beliefs such as the Earth being the center of the universe, or the story of Adam and Eve as the origins of humanity, would seem absurd if treated as mere jokes at a party rather than serious doctrinal statements.

Religion, at its core, is a system of faith. While it may have made a few accurate statements, these are rarely accompanied by sound reasoning. For example, Islam posits that Prophet Mohammed ascended to heaven alongside God, a claim embellished with the story of a winged horse. Similarly, Catholicism holds that humanity descends from Adam and Eve, while Buddhism warns that immoral actions lead to suffering in a hell populated by buffalo-headed demons.

Ultimately, these "proofs" are often based on fantastical narratives. The DNA of Adam, for instance, is said to be untraceable, and the existence of mystical creatures and realms is unverifiable. Yet, remarkably, we continue to uphold these tales with unwavering belief. When believers are asked to articulate their faith, they frequently find themselves at a loss for words, yet this moment of hesitation rarely impedes their conviction.