Is religion irrational?

Date:	16-1-2018 (Tue)
Time:	12:45 – 2:00 p.m.
Venue:	EdUHK Tai Po Campus    D1-LP-07
Speaker:	Dr CHAN, Man Ho (Assistant Professor, Department of Science and Environmental Studies, EdUHK)
Extract：	To avoid falling into superstition, most people go through basic understanding of a religious belief first before believing in it. Deeper rational checking usually follows. Dr. Chan explained the four commonly dismissed areas of religion which seem often challenged by reason: (1) religion and science are contradictory; (2) there is no evidence that God exists; (3) the content of the Bible does not correspond to historical facts; (4) the Almighty God is incompatible with suffering. Religions center at facets like pursuit of value, morality and meaning of life, which cannot be achieved by science. The fine-tuning argument greatly enhances the possibility of the existence of God. Bible describes God-Man encounter in a theological perspective. An authentic record of science or history was not the main consideration of the writers. While sin and suffering are the possible consequences of humankind's true free will, it does not violate God’s omnipotence. In conclusion, Dr. Chan pointed out that religious belief can withstand the test of reason. Rationality are not the only way of thinking about religious beliefs.