The Cosmic Order: Religious Truth Claims That Remain Untested by Science

In pondering the nature of the universe, one might arrive at the belief that there is a cosmic order underlying all existence.

This perspective argues that if the world were purely random, scientific research would lose its meaning and coherence.

Instead, the structured methodologies of science hint at an intrinsic order that can be understood and explored.

The Methodology of Science: A Commitment to Inquiry

Scientific research is predicated on the idea of proposing a hypothesis and then rigorously testing it.

To conduct meaningful research, one must commit to the hypothesis before engaging in the study.

It would be nonsensical to set up a scientific research study and then dismiss the hypothesis without engaging with it.

Scientific inquiry demands an open-minded yet disciplined approach, where one seeks evidence to substantiate or refute a proposed idea.

Belief Through Engagement

Engaging in scientific research is acting in faith that the universe has order and predictability; it is a process of seeking evidence to form a reasoned belief.

Initially, scientists build studies based on hypotheses and proceed as if those hypotheses might be true.

Through this engagement, they gather data and insights that either support or challenge their initial propositions.

The Role of Action in Forming Belief

Throughout much of life we operate beyond pure logical reason. We act, observe, and then form beliefs based on our limited and partial life experiences.

Science has shown that purely logical thinking without empirical testing can lead to erroneous conclusions.

Acting out a proposition, testing it in the real world, is crucial for building a solid foundation for belief.

Religion and the Testing of Propositions

This process of action leading to belief is central to the practice of religion.

Religions propose deep, existential ideas that individuals are invited to test through their modes of being.

Just as in science, these deep religious propositions are lived out individually and collectively and observed over long periods of time, and then either affirmed or questioned based on their outcomes.

The Wisdom of Religious Stories

Many religions, including Christianity, are grounded in stories that function like historical scientific studies on human behavior and ethics.

These stories encapsulate the accumulated wisdom of ancient societies, offering insights into modes of being that lead to either long term and collective flourishing or suffering.

Observing the outcomes of these stories helps individuals and societies determine how to act and what to pursue in life.

Historical Lessons and Modern Experiments

Ancient evidence, such as the consequences of hedonism in historical societies, provides valuable lessons.

While it might seem appealing to the individual in the short term, hedonism often leads to societal decay and destruction.

If contemporary society wishes to test these ancient conclusions, it must recognize that such experiments would need to be conducted at scale and would involve significant risks to all involved.

Faith in Experiments

Experiments are conducted in the faith that the hypothesis might hold true and that this truth is worth discovering.

They require significant time, energy, and resources.

A good scientist undertakes experiments with the hope of uncovering useful results, regardless of whether the initial hypothesis is affirmed or not.

Religious Truths and the Ultimate Experiment

When it comes to deep religious truth claims, one cannot definitively know the validity of a mode of being promoted by any religion without testing it in real life.

Religious truth claims often have to do with collective modes of being and ideas of the infinite. These ideas are hard to test scientifically and can involve thousands of years grasping at insufficient data recorded throughout ancient texts. So these ideas remain as hypothesis and matters of “faith” until the experiments are completed.

Many religions, including Christianity, foresee a final, apocalyptic confrontation—a time when the results of these grand-scale social experiments will be made manifest. A time when these competing modes of being will find a grounded resolution.

This envisaged battle represents the ultimate test of the cosmic order, revealing the true nature of reality.

Conclusion: The Right Side of the Experiment

As we navigate and design our lives, we are participants in ongoing experiments, scientifically testing the deep propositions laid out by the religions.

Understanding the cosmic order and aligning oneself with it requires thoughtful engagement, observation, and belief formed through action.

In this grand experiment, strive to be on the side that aligns with the true cosmic order, for in the end, reality will reveal itself, and the consequences of our collective modes of being will become clear.