Is God willing to prevent evil but not able? Then he is not omnipotent. Is God able to prevent evil but not willing? Then he is malevolent. If God is both able and willing, then why does evil still exist on earth? And if he is neither able nor willing, then why do we call him God?

I do not believe in faith. It is facts that govern our life. I respect God because I acknowledge the people who follow him. So, I respect God but truly revere science.

God is everything that defines supreme power. He is the epitome of absolute perfectness. We can say God is the alternative form of peace. Science, on the other hand, is basically a synonym for facts. Every single thing that govern our life, whether it be an erratic heartbeat or a love-struck feeling, a genuine thought or devastating paranoia, a simple touch or a brutal punch, a body’s free fall or a violent collision, even birth and death is encompassed by the field of science. It is an integral part of our lives, which surrounds us and aids us in fending off difficulties, helping us lead comfortable life.

God and science are two sides of the same coin, facing opposite ways in terms of ideology. If we consider god and science as prospects of survival, we can conclude that our past, present and future struggles for existence would undeniably be met with utter failure without their aid. So, we have to thank god for leading us to live and science for making its way easier.

God is portrayed as someone greater than the greatest of emperors and better than the most valiant of warriors. So, it is no surprise that people are devoted to God, due to the peculiar combination of fear and awe. After all, who would be foolish enough to defy an omnipotent entity?

An unexpected journey begins in the lives of people when they discover the essence of science in their life—an unending journey to innovation. Science teaches us to look past blind faith and seek out the reason for every mystery. Religion implied that the sun revolved around the earth but science told us the truth. Religion confined the human mind into three axes of existence—hell, heaven and earth—but science gave freedom to the universe beyond the skies. Hence, it’s science that enlightens our vision, not God.

Ultimately, people’s opinion on science and god depends upon where their minds are more inclined. “Everything good has a bit of evil and every evil has a speck of goodness,” said famous philosopher and rapper Eminem. Following this principle, even if we choose one, we can still appreciate the other. As seen commonly when proponents of science call out for god in times of peril, the same can be said for religious preachers who depends on technology to promote theological values.

God has made life bearable whereas science has helped us find comfort.  

- Shrestha is a graduate of St Xavier’s College, Maitighar