NO

They do co-exist

A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, an aerospace scientist and former President of India, had written in his book Ignited Minds on how spiritualism and science together can achieve great heights for a nation. The concept of “karma and dharma” well promotes a scientific approach to life. The co-existence of science and religion can be seen in our ancient Vedas too, and the derived modern-day subjects like Vedic mathematics and science.

Krishna Nandan Mondal,

First year, University of Calcutta, Technology Campus, Salt Lake, Calcutta

Rituals scientific

Physicist Albert Einstein believed science without religion is lame and religion without science is blind. Our religious practices have scientific reasons behind them. For example, while the ringing of bells is considered auspicious in religion, it is said to disengage the mind from ongoing thoughts, thereby making it more receptive. So bells during prayers help control the ever-wandering mind and focus it. Both religion and science offer explanations for why life and the universe exist.

Priyal Choudhary,

Class X, Sushila Birla Girls’ School, Calcutta

Complementary

Science and religion are complementary in a nation’s progress and prosperity. Science investigates the world based on empirical evidence, observation and logic. It helps in the technological development of a country. Religion deals with the spiritual world based on belief and faith, helping in cultural, social and ethical development. Thus, the two are complementary and contemporary.

Debarpita Mandi,

Class VII, D.A.V. Public School, Midnapore

Non-homogeneous mixture

Science and religion can co-exist. They are like water and oil — not homogeneous but still a mixture. We can compare science and religion to two doors that lead to the same room, but through different paths.

Shamayita Chatterjee,

Class X, Ashok Hall Girls’ Higher Secondary School, Calcutta

Hardware and software

“Science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind,” Albert Einstein had said. If religion is the principle of existence of life, science is the cause and reasoning behind it. Science is for technological development and religion is for spiritual development. Without science our world is mysterious and without religion life is gloomy. If any of the two is lost from the universe, our life becomes baseless.

Samarpita Mandi,

Class VII, D.A.V. Public School, Midnapore

YES

Logic versus belief

Science is about experimenting and applying logic, based on knowledge and hard work. Science follows systematic methodology. Religion does not follow any method — it is in our heart, we believe it blindly, we never judge or apply any logic. If something happens to us we try to find the scientific reason, but when it comes to religious beliefs we never do that. That is why science and religion can never co-exist.

Adrija Mondal,

Class IX, Kalyani Central Model School, Kalyani

Incompatible, not rivals

Science is practical knowledge which investigates the views of people whereas religion is key to wisdom. Religion is the belief of people and science is the truth. The difference is that science needs to prove its beliefs but religion does not. Science proves facts and religion believes in values. Religion and science are indeed incompatible but they are not rivals.

Nishi Mittal,

Class IX, Our Lady Queen of the Missions, Calcutta

Religion lacks explanation

Science and religion can never co-exist as science is discoveries and inventions and religion is beliefs. Many religious practices are superstitious and meaningless, they can’t be defined or explained by science. For e.g., science says “Health is wealth”, yet people keep fasts as per their religious beliefs, paying no heed to their nutritional needs.

Bipasha Halder,

Class XI, The BSS School, Calcutta