Sir, - In his article "Science, religion should stick to their functions" (Science Today, December 7th), Dr William Reville makes clear the different functions of science and religion. He is correct in saying that the function of science is to discover how the physical world works, using natural methods.
It is when Dr Reville attempts to explain the function of religion that he makes some curious assertions. For example, he clearly believes that such questions as the purpose of life, supernatural realms, ethics and morality are beyond the competence of science. This may or may not be true, but to infer that religion may have some special knowledge about these concepts above and beyond scientific investigation is to indulge in the very thing of which he accuses scientists like Richard Dawkins - namely, making claims beyond their competence.
Another curious assertion is that if religion were abolished the vacuum created would be filled by primitive superstition and magic. This implies that what he calls "mainstream religion" does not consist of superstition and magic. Heaven, hell, relics and medals to ward off evil spirits, transubstantiation, miracles, virgin birth, indulgences - not superstition? Not magic?
Prior to the political triumph of Christianity in the fourth century, paganism was the mainstream religion. The adherents of paganism genuinely believed that their religion was true, as have all adherents of the countless religions before and since. It is science, especially in the past 200 years, which is consistently destroying the earthly power that religion has enjoyed and abused for much of the last 2,000 years.
Morality is one of the last bastions of religion. This is primarily because science has not yet fully explained human behaviour. But there can be no doubt that morality is a universal natural human characteristic. This is obvious when one considers that people of all religions and none are capable of acting morally or immorally. In other words, religion is not a prerequisite for morality.
Dr Reville is correct in saying that a vacuum would be created if religion were abolished. This vacuum should be filled by the study of philosophy, especially in our schools. Philosophy searches for the truth within human limitations. It encourages people to question and investigate all aspects of human existence with openness and confidence, including the purpose of life, without the stultifying baggage of religious fairy tales. - Yours, etc., Anthony Sheridan,
Carraig Eoin, Cobh, Co Cork.