Activity 1 - Science vs. Faith

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Activity Tasks
​So far you have examined how the Big Bang has challenged traditional religious ways of understanding the creation of the Universe. But can religion and science coexist? Or do they conflict?

1. ​In the table opposite, read the three positions you can take on this question. Which one do you agree with the most? Share you ideas with a partner.
2. Think of at least two reasons or examples to back-up your viewpoint. What would you say to persuade someone of your viewpoint?
3. How could your viewpoint be challenge? Think of at least two things someone would say in criticism of your viewpoint.
4. Have a vote in class - what do most people believe?

Conflict	Science and religious faith are incompatible. Both atheists and religious fundamentalists take this view.
Contrast	Science and religious faith are each concerned with different kinds of questions and shouldn't be mixed. Agnostic people take this view.
Convergence	Science and religious faith inevitably interact and they both enrich each other. Liberal religious believes take this view.

Activity 2 - Preparing for the Debate

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Activity Tasks

1. ​Your teacher will place you into groups of four or five. Each member of the group will be responsible for a different part of the debate. The parts are:
   1. Opening Statement - Summarises your main arguments
      
   2. Rebuttals - Presents arguments against the other team, defends your team against their arguments 
      
   3. Questions - Asks questions that highlight flaws in other side of debate, responds to opposition questions
      
   4. Closing Statements - Summarises main arguments again in persuasive manner
      
2. You will be required to research and debate the motion, "Religion best explains how the Universe was created." With your teacher, download and review these instructions for the debate and listen to some examples from last year here.

Activity 3 - Researching your Positions

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Activity Tasks

1. ​​Using the following resources, each group will need to research and write their parts of the debate. Use this worksheet to help you structure your notes and speeches.
   1. Religion best explains the creation of the Universe:
      1. Article about religious views on the origins of the universe
      2. Video about biblical views on creation
      3. Article about the theory of evolution and Christianity
      4. Video about scientific theories and human origins
      5. Video about how science and religion interact
      6. Article about religious scientists
   2. Science best explain the creation of the Universe:
      1. Video about the Big Bang
      2. Web article about the origin of life​

Activity 4 - The Debate Begins!

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Activity Tasks

1. Opening Statements - All three sides are to read out their opening statements, one minute each.
2. Oral Arguments - Each side takes it in turn to read out their arguments and hear rebuttals. Fundamentalist goes first, followed by scientific, then liberal positions.
3. Counter Arguments - Each side gets a chance to respond to the rebuttals - 2 minutes each
4. Closing Statements - Each side concludes with a closing statement and persuasive argument - 1 minute each
5. Jury Delivers Verdict - Two minutes for Jury to decide which side won the debate, before explaining how they reached that verdict to the class.

Activity 5 - Has your viewpoint changed?

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Activity Tasks

1. ​Can religion and science co-exist? Read the three positions you can take on this question again. Which one do you agree with the most? Have you changed you mind since the debate? Why or why not?
2. Continuum - In the front of the class, stand in a line depending on your viewpoint. Those that take the conflict viewpoint stand on one side. Those that take the convergence viewpoint stand on the other. Discuss with each other to decide where you will stand. Be ready to explain your opinion.
3. Vote - Finally, have a vote in class again - what do most people believe? Can religion and science co-exist? Or not?

Conflict	Science and religious faith are incompatible. Both atheists and religious fundamentalists take this view.
Contrast	Science and religious faith are each concerned with different kinds of questions and shouldn't be mixed. Agnostic people take this view.
Convergence	Science and religious faith inevitably interact and they both enrich each other. Liberal religious believes take this view.

Further Reading

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STANDARD READING

1. Author. (2014). CAN RELIGION AND SCIENCE CO-EXIST? INCH Magazine. Ineos.Com. 

INTERMEDIATE READING

1. Marlow, J. (2016, April). Can Science and Religion Co-Exist? Discover Magazine; Discover Magazine.

ADVANCED READING

1. Nationalacademies.Org. (2020). The Intersection of Science and Religion.

FURTHER WATCHING

1. Big Think. (2011). Neil deGrasse Tyson: Science and Faith | Big Think [YouTube Video]. 
2. ‌PragerU. (2015). Does Science Argue for or against God? [YouTube Video].

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