Revelation vs. Observation
By Bob Lafferty

    Some people unquestioningly accept information presented as Biblical revelation.  Others acknowledge only scientific fact determined through observation.  The division is quite apparent in the United States.
     A Gallup Poll of U.S. citizens completed in 2007 shows 31% believe the Bible is the actual word of God to be taken literally, 47% believe it is “inspired by the word of God” while 19% say the Bible is a book of ancient fables, history and legends recorded by man.  This means better than three-fourths of the respondents accept the Bible as their religious guidebook. Forty percent of those are strong enough believers to reject facts borne out by scientific investigation.  On the other hand, nearly one fifth of the population is willing to accept science over religion.
     The conflict between revelation and observation has been with us since Galileo was put under house arrest by the Roman Inquisition for demonstrating that the Earth rotated around the sun.  Similar battles continue today.  Religious scholars, using information found in the Bible, insist the Earth is no more than six to ten thousand years old.  Scientists exhibit proof that the Earth has been in existence for close to 4.5 billion years.
     Just as Galileo’s careful observations were dismissed by zealots who put unquestioned faith in their religion, information determined by “revelation” is still accepted over observable fact by a sizable portion of our population.
     Why the primacy of revelation?  Why do so many people prefer the revelation of the Bible to the observations of science?  Because it is easier to be a believer than it is to determine and follow a path carved by science and reason.
     If you are a religious person, you probably came by your belief naturally – it is likely you were taught about God during childhood.  You have a book that tells the story of your religion.  You have a church or synagogue or temple where you meet with others of similar beliefs.  And you have leaders that exhort you to be faithful and offer familiar ceremonies in which you can participate. 
     Religion provides answers to questions that would otherwise be troublesome.  You are told the story of the origin of Earth and everything on it.  You learn why you are here and where you will go when you die depending on your actions while you are here.  You have a set of rules to live by even though they can vary by religion and denomination.  You have a spiritual being to ask for help when things go wrong and the same one to thank when they go right.  And, if you stray, you are threatened with an eternity of fire and brimstone.
     Being devout can take much of the stress out of living.  It is easy to be religious as long as you accept the doctrine and do not question the veracity of your religion.
     But -- many people do question.  They look at all that religion provides, finding it lacking and filled with confusing and often conflicting information.  If they decide to look elsewhere, they can examine available scientific answers to basic questions, realize they are sensible and lay out a reasonable explanation for human existence.  And they find that often the theories of science are so diametrically opposed to the tenets of religion that only one can be accepted.  But if they accept only the reasoning of science, they must discard the solace of religion.
     Non-belief is difficult to absorb.  It isn’t explained with stories and parables.  There is no edifice on every other city corner in which we can listen to the choir sing the praise of Darwin or a robed speaker exhort us to follow the path of the paleontologist. The Theory of Relativity does not include rules for daily living.  And it becomes evident that when life ends, there is no afterlife.  It takes an intelligent person with strong convictions to maintain the assurance of a non-believer.
     Today, however, the organization of non-theists is growing.  An internet check shows nearly 70 major secularist organizations worldwide with 20 of those based in the United States.  Plus most cities have groups such as the St. Joseph Skeptics or the Kansas City Atheists.  Religious rules of conduct, often used to denigrate segments of society and restrict natural and important areas of scientific and medical investigation, are replaced with humanist principles which create a strong moral base, a fulfilling purpose in life, an acceptance of all that occurs naturally around us and values scientific activity that increases the worth of life.
     While the religious remain the largest segment of society, among those willing to question, search for and accept reasonable answers, the non-theist lifestyle provides a far superior alternative.