Science and Sprituality

 

Science at times seems, at times in conflict with religion but it is never in conflict with spirituality.

          

 

Objectives

Green (Earth Literacy Goals)

  1. Students will learn how science connects to spirituality.

  2. Students will learn how various religious traditions influence views of nature.

  3. Students will assess their own beliefs and views of nature.

  4. Students will learn how spirituality influences other disciplines.

 

ESL

  1. Students will read academic level articles.

  2. Students will learn to read a chart for data comparison.

  3. Students will use data from readings and chart to discuss the ideas.

  4. Students will be able to cite reference material in a discussion.

  5. Students will be able to apply the information from the data to their lives.

 

Materials

  • Religious Traditions and Their Views on Nature by Chris Migliaccio’s

  • Science and Spirituality by Peter Russell

  • How does that apply to our own lives? by Jill Neimark

  • What is the biggest conflict or connection between science and religion?

  • The Flow of Life by Jonathan Star

Time

1.5 hours

 

Steps/procedures

  • Give students the materials in a prior class. Instruct them to study, not merely read, the material. They should make notes and be ready to discuss the ideas.

  • Open the discussion with general reactions to the reading.

  • After a bit of general reactions, move the discussion to either a large group or break into small groups. If you use a small group format it would be good to designate one person in the group to facilitate and make sure that all get a chance to speak and that the questions are discussed. Also reserve some time to for a reporter from each group, someone other than its facilitator, to report to the larger group.

  • Discuss the following discussion questions:

  • Does spirituality connect or conflict with science?

  • How does it connect?

  • How does it conflict?

  • What can be done about areas of conflict/

  • What is the difference between religion and spirituality?

  • How does spirituality connect to other disciplines?

  • How does it connect to our daily lives?

  • How does spirituality influence our views of nature?

  • For outside work, and follow-up students will write a one paragraph letter to the editor, such as those in the copy of “What is the biggest conflict or connection between science and religion?”

 

Vocabulary

Spirituality        facilitate            scientific method creationism      
tradition Diety                reinterpret         stalemate                 
nourish species Vacuous           logical 
equate              theological        objective Soul   
rigor                 transcendent               

          

Resources:

  • Religious Traditions and Their Views on Nature by Chris Migliaccio’s

  • Science and Spirituality by Peter Russell

  • How does that apply to our own lives? by Jill Neimark

  • What is the biggest conflict or connection between science and religion?

  • The Flow of Life by Jonathan Star