Reply #181: Science is not an explanation of the effect.

[darkstar3]

The scientific method, the testing of a hypothesis, is in fact the observation of effects in an attempt to root out the cause. So while much of science appears to describe effects, that is only the form and function that science takes to lead to its ultimate goal, which is the understanding of causes.

Religion, however, IS the explanation of effect. God (in theist religions) is setup as the root cause of all that is, thereby explaining every effect in our cosmos.

Science and religion are opposites. One uses effects to try and find causes, while the other postulates a single cause to explain all effects.