Faith in the Times of Scientific Temperament

We live in an age where inventions and discoveries have facilitated technological advancement to such an extent that people have started to rely on scientific devises for every need. The achievements, especially in the realm of medical science, have increased the average human life span, eradicated many lethal epidemics and found remedies for complex diseases, congenital and otherwise. The feats in other arenas are also remarkable as they have helped the world shrink into a global village.

It was a series of innovations which paved way for industrial revolution in Europe from the late 18th century well into the 19th century. From then on the West is considered to be more developed and scientifically advanced than the east which still flaunts a spiritual legacy. But Japan, China, and South Korea have tremendous industrial potential and India too is fast catching up. Still, the people in the west are more secular in many respects with little time to devote for God and religion. Some months back Pope John Benedict XVI had explained that the west is alienated from Asia and Africa because its was steeped in secularism and science. He had also said that too much focus on secular thoughts and science would make man deaf to God’s voice.

Irrespective of the eastern – western divide people generally take pride in being able to live the times of scientific temperament of a much higher level than the times of their predecessors. But, on the contrary, some traits of religious beliefs have become so stronger that they are often equated with superstition. This trend is largely evident in oriental countries. But, even an occidental country as scientifically advanced as the US is not impervious to it.

Absolute faith in God is something which is frowned upon by people who claim to think independently. They say that too much dependence on faith hinders free thinking. Divine healing is one aspect of faith which draws flaks from different quarters. The large gatherings at healing crusades provoke the critics. They say that it is some sort of psychological effects which make people feel that they are healed. Psychological effect or any other effects, in most cases the results are physically visible. I concede, there are black sheep among preachers and attendants. But the actual and the spiritual attributes of faith healing are too convincing to overlook. It is difficult to explain faith with support of theoretical evidences, for faith is very much empirical. I myself have numerous experiences of God’s miracles in human life. When I was extremely sick and doctors could not cure me, God comprehensively healed me. I could achieve impossible career heights due to divine guidance. After founding the mission I encountered many adversities in carrying forward the gospel work. But along with that I have also been blessed by Providence to overcome them reassuringly. May faith saved me whenever I was in trouble.

Hence, I openly defend all those people who profess their faith in times of scientific temperament. True, men and women who exploit God’s name and faith to earn fame and wealth are a barrier to convince people of God’s miraculous saving powers. But, God is above all barriers. The faithful can clearly see God’s hand working in their lives. And those who don’t believe and refuse to see God’s works or vaguely see them, will sooner or later have to accept that faith is relevant and vital, no matter how far science has progressed.