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Cosmic Conversations

Bridging Science and Religion with an Age of the Universe Debate

Cosmic Conversations


 

Abstract

This case study explores the relationship between science and religion through a hypothetical discussion between four students in a general education introductory astronomy course. One student questions the scientifically accepted age of the universe of 13.8 billion years based on their religious belief, which prompts the other three students to share their differing views of how science and religion interact. These views, taken from Ian Barbour’s book “When Science Meets Religion,” are conflict, independence, dialog, and integration. Conflict states that science and religion make contradictory claims and can’t both be right. Independence states that science and religion have their own language and deal with different types of questions. Dialog states that science and religion share some characteristics and can benefit each other with collaboration. Integration states that science and religion can be unified in a single worldview. The case offers instructors and students a respectful framework to address an important topic seldom considered in a science classroom. Originally written for a history of science course, the case is ideally suited for an introductory survey astronomy course but could also be used in a variety of general science courses.

   

Date Posted

06/09/2025

Overview

Objectives

  • Describe four ways (conflict, independence, dialogue, integration) that science and religion can interact with each other.
  • Defend evidence from introductory astronomy to support one of the ways that science and religion can interact with each other.

Keywords

Science; religion; astronomy; philosophy; theology; cosmology; age of the universe; Barbour; creationism

  

Subject Headings

Astronomy
Science (General)

EDUCATIONAL LEVEL

High school, Undergraduate lower division, General public and informal education

  

FORMAT

PDF

   

TOPICAL AREAS

Social issues, Scientific argumentation

   

LANGUAGE

English

   

TYPE/METHODS

Directed, Discussion, Role-play

 

 

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