God and science: Can we believe in both?

Abstract

At a recent scientific conference in New York City, a student asked one of the scientists participating in a panel discussion on science and religion a provocative question. “Can you be a good scientist and also believe in God?” The scientist, a Nobel laureate, quickly responded: “Belief in the supernatural, especially belief in God, is not only incompatible with good science, this kind of belief is damaging to the well-being of the human race!” But disdain for religion is far from universal among scientists. Francis Collins, who directs the U.S. National Genome Research Institute and was head of the first team to map the entire human genome, is an example of a highly visible and respected scientist who also openly embraces a religious Christian faith. As palliative care clinicians and researchers, we, as well as our patients, are constantly confronted with this very dilemma: the age-old tension between faith and reason, God and science.