Faith Matters | Should we reopen or stay closed? Let’s show grace with those who disagree

In Jack Black’s hit Nacho Libre, the priest turned amateur wrestler queries his partner’s belief in God. The scrawny lad confidently claims, “I only believe in science.” He understands science as an exclusive alternative worldview to that of any one who believes in God.

But Christians I know don’t disbelieve in science, and many scientists don’t disbelieve in God. Yet I have noticed that many who appreciate scientific contributions, can unintentionally fall into a similar and unnecessarily bifurcated position.

For instance, the governor of California told Newsroom this week, “We are going to do the right thing, not judge by politics, not judge by protests, but by science.”

At one level, I can’t imagine too many who find fault with this with this position. Who doesn’t want rational decisions based upon evidence as opposed to decisions made according to partisan loyalty?

But this statement in itself can also introduce more problems than it solves. When “the right thing,” is a real possibility, that obviously puts any potential solution into a moral category of “right” and “wrong.” Disagreement with the right conclusion will leave one appearing either stupid or sinister. But even more so, whether to open in up in stages, or to stay closed indefinitely, the morally right decision ultimately lies in the hands (or heads) of scientists.

Surely impulsivity, impatience, fear, overreaction, and political bias should not drive decision makers today. However, we need to take caution when embracing one conclusion as “the” science based solution.

Wall Street Journal contributor Allysia Finley’s reminds us, “Scientists are almost never unanimous, and many appeals to ‘science’ are transparently political or ideological.’ As an example, she considers well respected and published scientist John Ioannidis, a professor at Stanford’s School of Medicine, who after examining data, “has found himself pilloried because he dissents from theories behind the lockdown.”

Facts are never just brute facts or bare science. We all have interpretive grids, and have tendencies to affirm what we already believe or want to believe. We’ll find that scientists using scientific approaches, will lead us to an “obvious” conclusion. Strangely enough, our friends, whether real or those on social media, will often share others who have lead them to “obvious” opposing science based solutions.

Even within the faith community at large, as well as individual churches, including the one I pastor, I’ve heard a variety of different science based conclusions on when to press forward or when to simply press pause.

When things become gray, we need to become even more gracious in our disagreements. I have a higher degree of certainty and conviction in my theological convictions on topics and issues when I see a greater unanimity. Since we do not see such unanimous scientific conclusions, can we show grace to those, who after spending time in prayer, study, research, reflection, and discussion, come to different conclusions?

Whenever things open up, or potentially close back down, can we show grace to those who came to differing conclusions, without deeming them “unscientific” or faithless? Even if things become grayer, let us match gray with grace in how we interact with one another online. And in person some day.

Faith Matters is written by members of the Bradenton clerical community. Geoff Henderson is pastor of Harbor Community Church (harborcommunitychurch.org) in Bradenton. You can reach him at geoff@harborcommunitychurch.org.

This story was originally published April 30, 2020 at 11:12 AM with the headline "Faith Matters | Should we reopen or stay closed? Let’s show grace with those who disagree."