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Show page 16 lessons, Fail 2004 lives." Temme explained that patterns are the way we learn to adjust to life for our own progression, happiness, and survival. Temme picked up a rubber band and lifted it in the air. "What do you think will happen when I let go of this?" He let it go and it fell. He did it a few more times. "What is it going to do this time?" he asked. He was demonstrating that humans learn that odds are in favor of the same actions having the same results. We don't actually know that the rubber band is going to drop, but because it has so many times before, we believe it will again. This notion of science helps us predict the future and allows us to improve our way of life. The way Temme sees it, religion echoes the same concept. "Now I'm not in religious studies, but I would assume that every example of religion has a form of what we call 'prayer'." Temme then suggests that people pray when they want to change things they have no control over or don't know how to change themselves. Through prayer, religion is also an attempt to improve life. "This is the fundamental similarity . . . that both science and religion look for ways to control or manipulate the world," emphasized Temme. The search for influencing change is the motivation for both science and religion. Temme then left the parallels of religion and science and switched to their inevitable conflict. He explained that the difference between the two could be based on one simple concept. "The word 'miracle' is usually used in three different ways," Temme said. He explained the first was the, "Isn't it amazing..."' usage, as if someone is glad. The second, when something happens that seems improbable, such as winning the lottery. Although unlikely, it could happen, and when it does, it certainly feels like a miracle. The third definition is what Professor Temme wanted to focus on: When a certain event or manifesta- tion is supernatural, such as how water changes to wine. In chemistry, scientists know that water's breakdown of hydrogen and oxygen cannot produce wine. One would need carbon and other substances for that to occur. Water in and of itself cannot physically change on its own; elements of one form don't change into another. For such a thing to happen, a supernatural occurrence must take place. Professor Temme concurred that the supernatural aspect of religion breaks all the rules of science, which makes it impossible to study and manipulate. Therefore, religion conflicts with science when beliefs reach beyond the boundaries of proof or patterns. In interesting contrast, Temme explained that gravity is considered somewhat mysterious and baffling to the scientific world, yet it isn't thought of as a miracle. Why? Because gravity is consistent, like his dropping of the rubber band, allowing it to conform with the laws of science. Professor Temme says that people don't take the time to understand and respect both sides of an issue and break down the controversy into simple ideas in order to reveal common ground. It's good to have controversy and speculation, but when it comes to science and religion, it's also nice to have a clear distinction of what can be proven and what is yet to be revealed. Obviously, we have come a long way, and obviously we still have a long way to go. Temme says it's important to teach what we know and what we all can agree on, and leave the rest for people's personal lives. "In all my years here," Temme says, "I have never had any problems. I don't tell people what I believe, because it's irrelevant." Whether we were created from a god in heaven or we're descendants from a lower order of animals is all yet to be fully proven. The important thing at this point, Temme says, is to recognize and understand the similarities and differences to life, and hope the rest is revealed as we live it. £ |