Plentywood herald. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1908-current, 1928-02-24
Science and Religion
land OIL

\
That OIL upon troubled waters has
soothing effect is scientific prov
en- phenomenon but in the recent APP
plication to the problems of science
and religion in the three addresses
given last Sunday by DR.. David Eu-
gene Olson, A. B., B. o., D. D., B. D.,
Nj. S., we are in some doubt
as to the nature of the effect 70
many it was a glorious vindication of
religious beliefs and convictions that
have stoutly withstood the onslaught
of modern scientific method. To 9TH
ers of more scientific temperament
it was but superficial harangue, in
tolerant and unscientific. Others
with less positive convictions on one
side or the other were left in mid-air,
the ground of science shaken and the
claims of religion inadequately pre-
sented. The long troubled waters of
science and religion are in these days
being calmed but the treatment of the
subject by DR.. Olson, oil-expert, seems
to have had the opposite effect
1t should be said that the address
on Science and Cod, while it was
but rehashing of a certain type of
philosophy and not science at all, was
Interesting and convincing. The APP
proach to the Bible and Evolution,
however, in the other two addresses
had very evident weaknesses which
should not be allowed to stand with
out some comment.
In the first place, DR.. Olson no
where exhibited the spirit of the true
scientist. A scientist is one who gives
himself to the study of observable
phenomena in given sphere and who
seeks to classify, explain and manipu-
late the facts, processes and forces
thus discovered In view of all the
facts he endeavors to formulate
theory which shall reduce his obser-
Ivations to law and principle When
ever new fact is discovered which
is not consistent with some previous
theory then that theory is changed so
as to harmonize with all the facts A
Itrue scientist, then, cannot be any
thing but open-minded, tolerant and
humble. Thomas Huxley's observa-
tion on this point is pertinent "Sci-
ence teaches in the highest and
strongest way the great truth which
lis embodied in the Christian concep-
tion of entire surrender to the will of
God. A scientist must sit down be-
lfore fact as little child, prepared to
give up every pre-conceived notion and
lready to follow humbly wherever it
shall lead him or he shall learn moth
ling"
We were in great expectation at the
announcement that an eminent scien-
Itist would discuss Science and Re-
lligion. We looked for an intelligent
land unbiased examination of both
Isides of the problem and a solution
(which would be in harmony with the
accepted facts of both science and re-
ligion. Instead, however, it was very
evident that the speaker had some
thing to sell, not oil, but certain
TYPE of 18th century theology which
lpresents a view of the Bible that can
never be harmonized with the facts
of science. In defending that posi-
tion, which is identical with that of
William Jennings Bryan, the find
lings Of science which are obviously
out of harmony with such a position
were either ridiculed, ignored, or pass
ed by with superficial comment. We
Hooked for a discussion of the funda-
mental issues involved but they were
Everywhere avoided or obscured by a
barrage of oratory When a man
has a particular theological strong
hold he is trying to defend one can
hardly expect him to approach the
problems of science ready to follow
humbly wherever fact shall lead him."
1t is common human weakness to
cling to facts that support our per-
sonal preJudices and to ignore those
that seem to be out of harmony with
them. 1t is obvious that to be sci
enlist one must have an eye single
to truth, not partial truth, but com
lplete truth. This was one of the dis
appointing features of the lectures on
the Bible and on Evolution We wish
it were possible for some student of
science to present the evidence for
the theory of evolution in a tolerant
and sympathetic manner.
Altho the theory is by no means
established as scientific fact it may be
an avenue through which some day
new truth shall be established and
that without violence to the funda-
mentals of religion. Rather than
pooh pooh it we would do better to
honestly examine its evidences lest
we be found fighting against truth.
The Church, in standing for tradi
tional interpretations of religion, has
fought against true science and found
itself to be in the wrong. 1t was
Calico, | believe, who was forced to
bow before an ecclesiastical council
and swear that his theory that the
earth moved was heretical and un-
true. 1t is said that as he rose to his
feet again he muttered under his
breath, "But it does move just the
same" Of course this council had
scripture passages to back up its con-
tention that the earth did not move.