Reason and Religion

The primary axiom of this essay is that no genuine merit can be intrinsic to unfounded beliefs, and that it is better to embrace truth rather than falsehood. Therefore, if aspects of religion are unlikely to be true, then these elements cannot be essential for the perpetuation of what is good in human nature and society.

Many people are reluctant to question their religious beliefs, perhaps because they are afraid of what they may find. Knowledge, however, is never born of fear. Fear can only stifle us; fear can only hinder our efforts to comprehend the human condition and our place in the cosmos. The fearless pursuit of the truth is the only way forward, and it is only through this understanding that true wisdom and progress for humanity can be assured.

Unfortunately, there is often a conflict between religion and reason as exemplified by science. This is partly due to the antiquity of theology: religious beliefs have been with us for so long that they have become ingrained in the human psyche. The sanctity of age makes us forget that many of the supernatural beliefs we take for granted were formulated in the childhood of civilisation, roughly some six thousand years ago. Needless to say, our knowledge has increased considerably since those ancient times.

According to The New York Times, millions of White evangelical adults in the United States don't intend to be vaccinated against COVID-19. This poses many challenges to battling the virus, including the prevention of herd immunity. According to religious studies scholars from the College of Liberal Arts, this group's justification for not getting vaccinated lies in both their religious and political beliefs…

"There's several different religious beliefs and doctrines associated with evangelicals, especially the belief in inerrancy of scripture, which is the belief that the Bible is the literal word of God," Campbell explained [religious studies professor Heidi Campbell]. "There's also a general kind of theological belief in the sovereignty of God, that He is the one who knows best. So if you get sick, it's because you don't have faith in God and that you're not living a holy life, so God isn't able to protect you."

In addition to spreading anti-vaccine ideology in America, this belief in the supreme authority of God has also affected vaccine efforts abroad. For example, a hospital in Uganda recently received 5,000 doses of a vaccine, but was only able to administer about 400 doses because of vaccine hesitancy among a heavily evangelical population.

"According to evangelical groups in other parts of the world, taking the vaccine is like saying 'I don't have faith and I'm not holy,' and it's challenging their faith in that way," Campbell said. And that's one reason why the vaccine debate is not about personal health, but about freedom, since it questions their religious identity and their right to practise it in a certain way." (1)

Faith is ineffective when it comes to protecting people from disease. This can be seen by the fact that many evangelical churches in Latin America were hit hard by COVID-19 due to flouting health guidelines designed to prevent the spread of the virus. Indeed, some church leaders even claimed that the virus kills those of little faith. (2)

Much of the harm that the various creeds have wrought is not so much the result of the creation of negative impulses by theology, but the sanctioning of such urges and erroneous beliefs by conferring on them an allegedly divine approval, thereby justifying what under any other circumstances would be seen by normal people as wanton cruelty and ignorance of the basest kind. For example:

Slave owners and pro-slavery pastors used the above passage to justify the African slave trade up until the 19th century. Titus 2:9 was similarly popular, proclaiming, "Teach slaves to be subject to their masters in everything, to try to please them, not to talk back to them."

Jefferson Davis, president of the Confederate States during the American Civil War, said that slavery "was established by decree of Almighty God . . . it is sanctioned in the Bible, in both Testaments, from Genesis to Revelation."

The Bible was used to justify not just slavery in general but the inferiority of "dark-skinned peoples" in particular. Many theologians interpreted the cursed Canaanites from Abrahamic mythology as having dark skin. Their progenitor is Ham, the son of Noah, and people misread the Hebrew word for Ham to mean "black" or "dark." This particular Bible passage has been used throughout history to justify the oppression of whomever it was convenient to oppress.

Even today, the story of Ham is still quoted by those who believe in racial segregation. The pastor of Appleby Baptist Church in Nacogdoches, Texas wrote on his website in 2013 that "the proof of the presence of God among the Israelites was the absence of the black skinned folk of Canaan." He said that God is a separator rather than a mixer, and interracial marriages are the work of the devil.(3)

So, is dark skin a sign of inferiority, and are interracial marriages the work of the devil? Here is what modern science has to tell us about alleged racial inferiority and racial purity.

The primary pigment in human skin is melanin. It's used to protect us from the sun. It absorbs the sun's ultraviolet rays before they can destroy folate, one of the body's key vitamins. Many genes are involved in the biochemical pathways that result in melanin production. Natural variation within these genes is the root cause of the spectrum of skin tones that humans have.

So, the biggest genetic difference within the human race is between white people and black people, right? Wrong.

Two people from different tribes in Southern Africa will be more genetically different from each other than a Sri Lankan, a Māori and a Russian. We might categorise people as white, black or brown, but these visual variations don't accurately reflect the genetic differences — or rather similarities — between us…

We think of certain areas, lands or peoples as being isolated — either physically or culturally — and these boundaries as being insurmountable. But this is neither what history, nor genetics, tell us. In fact, no nation is static.

"People have moved around the world throughout history, and had sex whenever and wherever they could," says Dr Rutherford.

Sometimes these are big moves in short times. More often, people are largely static over a few generations — and that can feel like a geographical and cultural anchor.

"Nevertheless, every Nazi has Jewish ancestors," says Dr Rutherford, "Every white supremacist has Middle Eastern ancestors. Every racist has African, Indian, East Asian ancestors, as well as everyone else."

"Racial purity is pure fantasy. For humans, there are no pure bloods. Only mongrels enriched by the
blood of multitudes," he says. (4)

Scientific research has revealed that the genetic differences between groups are negligible. Regardless of race, we are all more alike than different.

In fact any two unrelated human beings on the planet are 99.9% identical in their DNA sequence. Only 0.1% varies, and here's the most important takeaway message from all this. It also happens to be the most replicated finding in the scientific literature on human variation.

Of this 0.1% that varies, (95.7% to be exact) is found between individuals within the same race. Despite what our eyes perceive, there is more genetic diversity within a race than between races. (5)

It should be clear that vaccines are more effective than prayer, and that racism is refuted by science. But it is insufficient merely to expose the flaws of faulty beliefs. In addition, one must offer a more satisfactory world view that will benefit humanity, and in my opinion, this view is the philosophy of rationalism and science.

The basic premise of rationalism is that our minds can comprehend the true nature of the universe without recourse to supernatural revelation. This philosophy forms the core of the methodology of science, where theories about the world are based on observation and experiment, encompass all previously verified facts relating to the phenomena under investigation, and can be used to make testable predictions that are then examined by independent researchers to confirm their veracity.

It is important to remember that scientific theories are not statements of absolute truth about the nature of the universe because new evidence may require their modification. This fact is not a weakness. On the contrary, it is a strength, for it enables science to change in the face of new findings, and thereby arrive at a more accurate understanding of the Cosmos. However, because we are not omniscient beings, the goal of ultimate truth shall be forever beyond our grasp.

As can be seen, there is a profound difference between the rules of enquiry that govern science and the assumptions of religion. Religion is largely dogmatism based on faith rather than sound evidence; whereas in science scepticism is considered an invaluable aid in the quest for truth. All claims must be supported by sound evidence in order to be accepted. Moreover, unhindered investigation and independent examination is encouraged because only this can expose falsehood. Indeed, any belief system that does not incorporate self-correcting mechanisms is unlikely to advance human understanding, and runs the risk of being trapped in an intellectual dead-end.

Unfounded and misleading criticisms of the Bible lack merit. They hinder the wisdom and progress civilized society will need for its survival. It is better therefore to embrace truth.

Mr Straughen's error in Investigator #221 is that although he discussed religions "throughout the world" he cherry picked foolish ones to represent the lot. It is like judging science by focusing on the few academics who claim Earth is 6000 years old or falsify experimental results, and ignoring all scientists who make useful new discoveries. Seeking out the bad apples and ignoring the good is the same error racists make to support racism.

Straughen refers to religious people who oppose vaccinations but he forgot that many non-religious people do too. Today's opposition to vaccinations was boosted by rogue academics who claimed vaccinations are a conspiracy between health agencies and vaccine manufacturers. These academics are the main authority for fringe Christians and others who reject vaccinations, not the Bible. Middap (2025) writes: "The elevation of vaccine sceptic Robert F. Kennedy Jr to US health secretary ... has emboldened hardcore anti-vaccination groups..." Are these "hardcore groups" all church members?

That vaccines are safe is seen from the numbers. President Joe Biden, after taking office during the Covid epidemic, sought to make the US the world's "vaccine arsenal". 130 million doses were soon distributed from the US to 90 countries and a further 500 million doses purchased specifically for Africa. If we consider all illnesses the vaccinations worldwide every year number many billions.

In "The Origins of Medical Science" (#212) I quoted Jesus that his followers would do "greater works" than he did. Edward Jenner (1749-1823), "a Christian who treasured the Bible", investigated smallpox, one of the greatest killers of humans. Jenner demonstrated the efficacy of vaccination against smallpox and popularized it. Napoleon had his troops vaccinated, Spain sent a three-year expedition to its colonies to vaccinate people, and nation after nation adopted vaccination.

Jenner's work was the foundation for subsequent discoveries in immunology. He has been called "the man who saved a billion lives". Vaccination eradicated smallpox worldwide in the 1970s. In Investigator #212 I gave many further examples to show that modern medical science was largely founded by Christians.

Straughen claims that slavery in the USA's southern states was "wanton cruelty and ignorance of the basest kind" and was supported by the Bible.

We discussed all that in Investigator 76-84. But, as Kevin Rogers noted, Straughen waits for the dust to settle and then repeats his errors. So let me summarize what I showed previously.

Old Testament slavery in Israel was limited by the Law of Moses to six years with a further amnesty every 50th calendar year. Slavery was intended to pay off debts and the slaves treated the same as hired laborers. A slave escaping from harsh treatment could not be returned to his master. Old Testament slavery was so beneficial that some Israelite slaves wanted to remain slaves permanently and Moses' Law included a provision to do this.

The King James Bible implies this difference by translating the Hebrew word as "servant". Where something is very different to something else, such as the difference between Old Testament servitude and American or Islamic slavery, it assists clear thinking to have different words. Imagine the confusion if we didn't have words for sugar, flour, salt, cocaine and sodium cyanide and called it all "white substance"!

This is the confusion that Straughen, as well as Bible translations that translate the Hebrew word as "slave", bring to the discussion. Most people have seen movies about American slavery, or heard about Islamic slavery, and assume all slavery is like in the movies and get indignant against the Bible.

If Straughen owed a neighbor money but makes a contract to pay off the debt by living on the neighbor's property and working for him for a set time period — that's similar to Old Testament servitude. It's nothing evil — debts ought to be repaid. All of Australia's laws would still protect Mr Straughen just as Moses' law, including the Ten Commandments, protected people, whether free or servants, in Israel.

Straughen, back in 2001, argued "slavery with a less brutal face is still slavery, and therefore just as wrong..." However, anything can be done badly and dangerously or with precautions and safely. People occasionally die on work-sites or at work. Therefore laws are enacted to make work-sites safer. We don't argue "work or a worksite with a less brutal face is still work and just as wrong."

Old Testament servitude differed to the cruelty other nations practiced. It was ethics 3500 years ahead of the times and demonstrated the truth of: "And what great nation is there, that has statutes and ordinances so righteous as all this law which I set before you this day?" (Deuteronomy 4:8)

In New Testament times Christians encountered Roman slavery and the Scriptures instructed "obey your earthly masters...as you would obey Christ" (Ephesians 6:6) and "whole heartedly" (Colossians 3:22). Better advice could not be given because runaway slaves who were caught were executed, often in horrid ways. However, slaves who gave outstanding service could earn their freedom, and Rome had many freed slaves. The New Testament taught "become free if possible". (I Corinthians 7:21) The doctrine that all humans belong to God firstly by creation, and secondly because Christ's death "ransomed" or purchased them, opposed slavery by implication.

Straughen quotes President Jefferson Davis that Almighty God established slavery. Slavery in the Confederate States was the source of white peoples' wealth and comfortable lives. Due to this "conflict of interest" their pro-slavery comments were no more objective or impartial than Adolf Hitler's views about Russians. Adherence to the Bible could have cured Confederate hypocrisy and prevented the Civil War which killed 600,000 people:

"But those who want to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is the root of all sorts of evil, and in their eagerness some have wandered away from the faith..." (I Timothy 6:9-10)

One abolitionist was Susan B. Anthony (1820-1906) a Quaker, Unitarian and later partly agnostic. She collected anti-slavery petitions as a teenager and became pivotal in abolitionism and the women's rights movement. In 1863 Anthony with associate Elizabeth Stanton (1815-1902) campaigned for an amendment to the Constitution to abolish slavery. They collected 400,000 signatures which helped in the passage of the Thirteenth Amendment which ended slavery in the U.S. A postage stamp with Anthony's image was issued in 1936.

Focus magazine (September 2001) reported that Baroness Caroline Cox for Christian Solidarity Worldwide paid $US24,000 to free 353 slaves, mainly women and children, in Sudan. Slavery in Sudan had been eliminated by the British but returned in 1989 when the National Islamic Front took power and mobilized Islamic tribesmen to kidnap Christians for slavery and forced conversion as part of Jihad and the Islamizing of Southern Sudan. Slaves are also exported to Libya, Chad, Mauritania and Persian Gulf lands. Eads (1996) wrote: "Captives are treated brutally. They are branded, beaten and sexually abused. Slaves who try to escape are beaten, mutilated or murdered."

Bita (2002) reported: "The International Labor Organisation estimates that 8.4 million children work as slave labourers, prostitutes or soldiers worldwide. Of these 1.2 million children are kidnapped, sold or smuggled each year." The Global Slavery Index estimated 35.8 million slaves worldwide in 2015, about 40% of them due to India's caste system. This exceeds all the slaves taken from Africa to the Americas during 300 years!

There is another slavery that the Bible speaks of from which Jesus came to rescue the world — enslavement to all sorts of evil behavior: "Everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin." (John 8:34; Romans 6:17-18)

Straughen shows himself a slave to sin when he misrepresents the Bible, the book with the world's most enlightened ethics, and thereby helps to embolden the violence and evil enveloping the world.

Under his subheading "Racism" Straughen rightly points out that "Racial purity is pure fantasy" and "Scientific research has revealed that the genetic differences between groups are negligible."

Straughen may have obtained his first knowledge on the wrongness of racism from the Bible and not the scientific sources which he now quotes. The biological unity of the human race is implied in Scripture by the teachings that Eve would be the "mother of all" and "God made from one man all nations."

Remember also that the science which refutes racism is genetics which had a Christian beginning with the experiments of Gregor Mendel, a monk in a monastery, in the 19th century!

Straughen's generalization "Religion is largely dogmatism based on faith rather than on sound evidence" mingles the good with the bad under one label, and stigmatizes the former.