However, scripture is interpreted from within the belief structure, and people disagree as to the meaning of parts of scripture, and often find contradictions within it. Scripture itself shows the development of belief over time, as demonstrated by the rejection of parts of Jewish law by the early Christian church. After the writings accepted as scriptural were set, doctrine continued to develop within the church community, with some ideas gaining acceptance and others being rejected. These have become the traditions of the church set forth in various creeds, covenants, and official teachings of the different Christian churches. Other beliefs are based on these well tested creeds, much as new hypotheses in science are based on accepted theories, and then tested over time.
Science claims to be objective.
Religion cannot be objective. Yet religious experience is one of the criteria used to determine the truth of religious assertions. Experiences an individual had before becoming part of a religion may be reinterpreted as religious experiences if examined from the new point of view. The John Templeton Foundation is currently giving grants for researchers studying the connection between spirituality and healing, thereby encouraging controlled research related to religion and spirituality. Religious truth claims are often stated in metaphorical language.