Beyond Conflict and Complementarity Science and Religion in Contemporary India

Abstract

This article attempts to discuss through detailed ethnographic description, the manner in which scientists in a leading Indian scientific research institute defined and practiced religion. Instead of posing science and religion as dichotomous categories, this article demonstrates its easy coexistence within the everyday lives and practices of Indian scientists. The ‘religious’ scientists did not perceive their religiosity in opposition to science, nor did they accept the complementary view of science and religion. Likewise, the ‘atheistic’ scientists did not find any contradiction in following a ‘religious’ lifestyle and simultaneously identified themselves as atheists or non-believers. This article questions the tacit acceptance of the distinctions between science and religion and seeks to evolve new vocabularies to talk about these categories. It attempts to look at science and religion from a non-dualistic perspective. It argues that a productive way of understanding science and religion is to go beyond the conflict and complementarity models.