I found this short essay about the differences between science and religion interesting and decided to share it.
The source is the online version of Longevity, by Gurvinder Bagga, November, 2001 issue URL: http://www.geocities.com/HotSprings/Sauna/3748/lr86.htm#dif
A scientist will give up his life for the betterment of humanity. A religious fanatic will sacrifice humanity for his ideals.
A scientist will or can never impose his ideas on others unless he can prove himself . A religious priest forces his thoughts on others and threatens punishment if others don't follow.
A scientist cannot issue a fatwa or commandment to prove a point. A religious priest can issue a fatwa or commandment over a point he himself might not like to follow.
Science does not force children who cannot speak into communities or cults. Religion forces children who cannot speak into believing ideas the child might disagree when he really can speak!
Science encourages freedom. Scientist dress the way they want to. The work is not related to the dress a scientist wears. Religion forces a dress code. People are made to look alike. Freedom of dress is banned.
Science does not discriminate against females. A scientist can be of either sex and be respected for his or her work. Religion mostly discriminates against females. They are not allowed to express themselves and even entrance inside a religious institution is often not allowed. Head priests of almost all religions of the world are MALES.
More people have been killed in the name of religion than for or against any scientific discipline. In fact science has in the last two hundred years saved millions of lives.
Science evolves and learns from it's mistakes. Religion does not evolve and NEVER learns from it's mistakes.
Scientists are required for the day to day running of the world. Religious priests are not required for the day to day running of the world.
A scientist might invent weapons of mass destruction but he is responsible and knows the consequences of his actions. A religious fanatic cannot make weapons of mass destruction but STEALS form scientists these weapons and kills thousands not knowing the consequences of his actions.
Science does not reject GOD and is in fact trying to find the ultimate meaning of life. This is done through hard work which might take maybe thousands of years. But scientists have tremendous patience and are mostly fascinated by the journey rather than the goal. Religious priests KNOW GOD exists! They have not offered any proof nor are interested in doing so. They get extremely irritated if asked for proof. They are very impatient and want to go to heaven without doing any real hard work in this world.
Scientist admit the world exists and can be manipulated for our benefit. They also use the fruits of their discovery. Religion does not give importance to this world and almost always talks of heaven or hell. But deeply religious people USE the fruits of discovery of science.
MONEY which is the most important tool invented by man the scientist is the ONLY thing accepted by any RELIGIOUS INSTITUTION ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD!! BLESSINGS CANNOT BE EXCHANGED FOR BLESSINGS.
Science discovers truths which are applicable all over the universe. A hydrogen atom is the same everywhere. So is a oxygen atom. Similarly gravity works in the same way all over the universe. And light in it's current form travels at the same speed. Common sense tells us that a GOD should be same all over OUR universe.(IT might be different in another universe) But religion on earth does not agree. Already we have GODS of all colours and shapes found all over the world. And no GOD is compatible with another. GODS as we know them on this planet are non-fungible! They also follow political boundaries created in the last three hundred years! For example a GOD in INDIA is not a GOD when you cross a political boundary and go to PAKISTAN!!