You only believe in science!
We all bring our values, hopes, and fears to the data that science provides—whether we're religious or not.
There’s a scene in the 2006 cult classic Nacho Libre where Nacho, a hapless monk who aspires to be a luchador, and Esqueleto, his emaciated unbaptized sidekick, are in conflict about life and religion and fame and fortune and why they’re so terrible in the wrestling ring. At one point, Nacho blurts out, “I’m not listening to you—you only believe in science. That’s probably why we never win!”
The scene is funny because the characters are hilarious (it’s especially amusing to watch Nacho’s attempts to baptize his unsuspecting partner in the changing room before one of their matches). It’s also funny because I think many of us have a sense that even in popular discourse, science and religion debates often fail to attain much loftier heights of nuance and sophistication than the banter between Nacho and Esqueleto. Science and religion function like two bumbling luchadors theatrically slugging it out in the ring before mostly ignorant throngs interested in little more than baying for blood. They are competitors for the same territory in our hearts and minds. One must win and one must lose.
Recently, while waiting for my son at the orthodontist, I picked up a recent issue of Scientific American and happened upon an article called “The Administration’s War on Facts Is a War on Democracy Itself” by Jonathan Foley. It was a plea for facts and evidence and an appreciation for science in an American political climate where these things are increasingly under threat. It was a piece that I found myself in mostly enthusiastic agreement with. But one passage gave me pause:
