Chief Rabbi Upholds Role of Science

Chief Rabbi Upholds Role of Science

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Lord Jonathan Sacks, the Chief Rabbi of the Commonwealth, says science and religion can mix, and he has set out to move the argument forward by considering the nexus of science and faith in a century he believes will be more religious than the last. ”Science takes things apart to see how they work. Religion puts things together to see what they mean. That’s it. And you need both,” he said.

The case made by his book, The Great Partnership: God, Science and the Search For Meaning, argues that the world is becoming more religious, ”but obviously within certain areas of faith, the momentum is with those who are hostile to the contemporary world and I think that is bad news for all of us.” The challenge for religion is to maintain steadfast self-confidence in the face of an unknowable future – avoiding the fear that feeds fundamentalism – and to recognize faith was not compromised by another’s beliefs, Sacks said. The chief rabbi said his moderate position did not turn the Ten Commandments into the ”10 constructive suggestions”, but held on to the absolutes of the integrity of human life, peace and mutual respect.