The difference between
science and
religion
is in the
method each uses
to discuss the world. Although both rely
on
first principles which must be
assumed,
religion and science
build on these
using completely different
criteria.
For example, a scientific theory must be
refutable; there must be some hypothetical
experimental or observational result which,
if found, would disprove some or all of the theory.
There are many other criteria that scientific theories
must meet in order to follow the scientific method.
This does not mean that religion is wrong or
necessarily should compete with science. These
can be complementary ways of looking at the world.
Religious myths are metaphors which teach us about
a culture's values and ideas. The factuality of the
myth has little importance.
The difference between science and religion is the
difference between understanding the innards
of a Swiss watch and caring that 4pm is when
your Mom gets home.