Belief systems?

[Waterwolf]

Are science and religion incompatible?

[Sensei]

That would depend on your religion and your science. Buddhism is partially based on cause & effect (dependent origin), which is definitely a scientific concept. I think this is subjective question. To me, a god is very much not scientific and I could give you a hundred reasons why, but I'm sure there are firm believers who could give you just as many reasons that could make the two compatible.

[modge]

Science has had a very damaging effect on religion. According to Robert Segal, professor of Religious Studies at Lancaster University and author, film stars have replaced God and the cinema has become the new church of the 21st century. He says that scientific explanations of the world have almost wiped out traditional religious belief. He makes the point that gods are bigger, smarter, stronger, and more beautiful than people and they are immortal - the things which are now associated with Hollywood stars. People turn to these stars to save the whales, cure poverty and end third-world debt. He said: 'People believed in God until science arose and provided a more convincing explanation. "Cinema is the last domain of myth and religion which is safe from its inroads.'