Which of the following BEST describes your view - I view science and religion as:
Collaborative…each can be used to support each other
Independent…they refer to different aspects of reality
Conflict…and I am on the side of science
Conflict…and I am on the side of religion
Some of us will recognize the above question from a survey sent to selected members of our
congregation a few months back as part of a “Scientists in Synagogues” grant that BHCBE received from
the organization Sinai and Synapses. Aiming to share how Jewish scientists integrate their Judaism and
their scientific work so that they can be ambassadors for productive conversations surrounding Judaism
and science, the Scientists in Synagogues grant offers 11 communities throughout North America the
opportunity to explore an interesting question surrounding both Judaism and science aided by
foundation resources and support. I am looking forward to this February when David Mogul and I will
present our topic, “How Free is Free Will? The Neurobiology of Human Decision Making,” over the
course of three Tuesday evenings (7, 14, and 21) culminating with a panel discussion featuring Jewish
bioethicist Dr. Jonathan Crane of Emory University. It should be an exciting month of learning as we
explore the extent to which we have do and don’t have autonomy over our actions and the implications
this then has in determining questions of moral responsibility.
For those who are interested, 48% of BHCBE respondents indicated that science and religion are
collaborative, 45% felt they are independent, and 7% viewed conflict while siding with science (no
respondents viewed conflict while siding with religion). These results make us slightly more
collaborative-minded than the general pool of respondents from all 11 Scientists in Synagogues
communities where 40% saw collaboration, 52% saw independence, and 8% saw conflict on the side of
science. This is a good thing in the eyes of Sinai and Synapses who much believe that bringing science
and religion in conversation with one another deepens and enhances our understanding of both. This,
of course, is the goal of the grant program that they have funded!
I, myself, am not a scientist and thus am less able to speak personally about the promises and tensions
that exist through melding these two disciplines. So throughout the rest of the year we will have a
monthly Erev Shabbat guest writer, a member of our community who considers him/herself both a
scientist and a person of faith and will discuss how s/he sees these two aspects of identity as fitting
together. To start us off this month I share the reflections of the neuroscientist, actress, and proud Jew
Mayim Bialik from The Big Bang Theory. Her meditations on the compatibility of science and religion
can be found here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=qZh1MrDHLoY.
(You may have to cut and paste the link into your web browser rather than clicking straight through this
message.)
I also share this week a sermon I wrote a few months back which similarly explores the question of
science and religion: http://bhcbe.org/cpt_sermons/myth-grandfathers-laundromat-parashat-bereshit/.
For me, these two disciplines each capture a sense of awesomeness when it comes to the incredible
majesty of the world around us and our role as human beings within in. While the particular questions
that scientists and theologians may ask are often quite different, better understanding the reality of
how our universe functions helps the religious person to not leave her intellect at the door but rather be
able to thoughtfully integrate both fact and faith. At the same time, considering not only the technical
aspects of existence but also broader questions of responsibility and purpose helps the scientist to find
greater meaning and perhaps even a deepened sense of gratitude for the gifts of the natural world.
Science and religion work together to help us better understand the enormity of creation and our small
yet vital place within it.
Stay tuned for early January where we will feature our first Erev Shabbat guest science writer! And
please mark your calendar for February 7, 14, and 21 – I look forward to learning together.
Many thanks to Sinai and Synapses for the incredible opportunity to explore science, religion, and the
productive intersection of these two great disciplines.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Annie Tucker