Between Eleventh Hour and a thread I got very briefly involved in over at the Tea House, I’ve been sitting and thinking about Taoism, Science and Religion.
Taoist thought tends to tally very well with science and, in my opinion, science can help illuminate the Tao. The scientific method is a very useful tool for Taoists, in fact, I heard it said that many early Taoists were the scientists of their time.
Science is less friendly to traditional religions, they’ve suffered a withering hail of fire over the years, but this is to be expected as they’re inflexible and based on a personal diety. This diety was responsibile for everything folk didn’t understand, a “God of the Gaps”. Of course with science bringing it’s light into all sorts of places, there are less gaps now.
I know some people say that religion’s place is hand in hand with science, but I don’t see it so much. Carl Sagan mentioned in one of his books that the previous pope tried to influence scientists not to look back before the Big Bang, in light of that I get the distinct feeling the religions would quickly try to get into the driving seat.
On the other hand, I think the Watercourse Way would not be a bad thing for the scientific community. More on this later.
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