A few years back, my significant other started experiencing these bizarre, almost surreal, light flashes in her visual field, specifically from one eye. Accompanying these flashes were these ominous black spots that seemed to be encroaching on her vision. Our local optometrist took one look and immediately recognized the severity of the situation. He advised her to get herself to an ophthalmologist who could treat her condition—a partial retinal tear. If not treated with utmost urgency, she was at risk of losing complete vision in that eye.
So, we did what any sensible person would do in such a situation. We sat down and prayed about it. No, of course, we didn’t. We rushed to the nearest ophthalmologist, about a half-hour drive away, who had the necessary equipment—a very sophisticated laser eye surgery machine. In about ten minutes, the doctor used the machine to laser spot-weld an area surrounding the damaged retinal area, preventing any further tearing. Vision saved!
As I sat in the waiting room, I found myself marveling at the sheer amount of science and technology involved in the creation of such a piece of equipment. This scientific and engineering marvel surely had to rank up there with some of humankind’s greatest achievements. And even more amazing was the fact that these machines were so ubiquitous that there were several around us, all within an hour’s drive. Thank you, science!
Yet, it’s become somewhat fashionable in certain circles to criticize and distrust science and scientists. This has been especially true in the areas of anti-vaccine sentiment and climate change denial, but anti-science sentiment can be seen in many other areas as well. A recent poll reported that almost half of Americans did not believe that human beings evolved from earlier species of animals, aka, the theory of evolution, which at this point has been universally accepted by every credible scientist.
So, what’s fueling this mistrust? At its core, science is nothing more than an exploration of our physical world. It’s a quest to unearth universal truths and fundamental laws through a well-established process known as the scientific method. Who could possibly object to the pursuit of truth?
Perhaps it’s the jargon that’s causing confusion. The phrase “It’s just a theory” is often thrown around by those who reject evolution. However, in the scientific realm, a theory is not just a hunch or speculation. It’s a well-substantiated explanation of some aspect of the natural world that has been repeatedly tested and confirmed through observation and experimentation.
Maybe it would be more palatable to think of science as a truth-seeking endeavor. Science constructs models to make sense of our world, refining them as new information comes to light. Physics provides an excellent illustration of this iterative process.
Consider Newtonian physics, which describes how force, mass, and acceleration interact. This model works perfectly well for everyday phenomena. But when we venture into the realm of high-speed travel or outer space, Newton’s laws start to falter. Enter Einstein’s theory of general relativity, which offers a more accurate model for these extreme conditions.
The beauty of science is that it’s an unending journey towards greater understanding. The Newtonian model wasn’t so much wrong as it was a simplified approximation that worked well on a human scale. But when Einstein’s model took center stage, it brought with it a level of accuracy that held true at all speeds.
Consider the time before we had a firm grasp on the causes of diseases. The populace was left bewildered by the plagues and illnesses that seemed to spring up more frequently as cities became more crowded. Prayers and pleas to the heavens did little to halt the spread of disease. A theory emerged from this confusion—the miasma theory—positing that diseases were born from a toxic vapor or mist filled with particles from decomposed matter.
While not entirely accurate, this theory wasn’t without its merits. It prompted improvements in building ventilation and waste disposal, which did help to curb the spread of diseases. But it wasn’t until the advent of germ theory that we truly began to understand the mechanisms behind disease spread.
With this newfound understanding of germs, simple techniques like hand washing and sterilization became powerful tools for improving health outcomes. And with the development of vaccines and antibiotics, many diseases were finally brought under control—at least in the developed world.
In the vast expanse of the cosmos, a realm that dwarfs our own in its sheer enormity and complexity, we’ve been privileged to bear witness to some truly awe-inspiring phenomena, thanks in large part to the advent of scientific instruments like the telescope. Yet, as these tools have peeled back the layers of the universe, revealing a reality far removed from our Earth-centric preconceptions, they’ve historically been met with fierce resistance from certain quarters. The institutional church, for instance, waged a relentless campaign against the heliocentric model of our solar system, a model that dared to challenge the long-held belief that Earth was the center of all creation.
It’s clear then that religion has often found itself at odds with science. Theories like evolution and heliocentrism have faced staunch opposition precisely because they seemed to contradict the teachings of sacred texts. But this is where secularism enters the picture. Unburdened by any preconceived notions of truth and unswayed by the dogmas of any sacred text, secularism champions reason, critical thinking, and intellectual freedom.
Secularism is not just a worldview but a guiding principle. It encourages us to forge our own path, free from the shackles of dogma that can stifle progress and hinder our quest for knowledge. It can and should promote a spirit of open inquiry, inviting us to question, to doubt, and to challenge accepted norms.
In this secular space, we’re free to grapple with some of humanity’s most profound questions: What are our origins? How did life first emerge on Earth? What lies beyond the farthest star? And it is science, with its relentless pursuit of truth and its insatiable thirst for knowledge, that guides us on this journey. Through the lens of science, we can offer tentative answers to these questions—answers rooted not in belief or doctrine, but in tangible evidence. This, in turn, nudges us to contemplate the ramifications of our scientific insights.
Secularism nudges us to marvel at the grandeur of the natural world and the myriad forms of life that have blossomed on our planet. It urges us to treasure our collective humanity and to nurture a sense of stewardship towards our delicate home. It underscores the fact that our existence is a mere blip in the cosmic orchestra, and it’s our responsibility to safeguard this precious blue speck we call home.
In the vein of Carl Sagan, we find ourselves on the brink of discovery, equipped with the instruments of science and the principles of secularism. Together, they forge a potent alliance, one that propels us toward a future where logic and empathy vanquish ignorance, mythology, and bias. As we gaze at the celestial canvas above and contemplate the complex tapestry of life on Earth, let’s celebrate the profound interplay of science and secularism—a union of knowledge and wisdom that fuels the torch of human enlightenment.
