Which is more creative? Science or Religion?

[Az]

Poll question: Which is more creative? Science or Religion?

And for discussion throw in the question of which inspires more creativity.

[edhopper]

1. What is the point of this poll.

Both are human endeavors with profound effects on mankind. Both have inspired people to produce great work. This is not a quantifiable question.

[Az]

2. It is seeking people's opinions on the matter and trying to engage in discussion on them

If you think they both have had profound effects on the creative thinking of human kind then by all means say so. Others may think that one or the other are creatively stagnant. Some may think they are inspirational. Thats the point of the poll. To find out how people see the two.

[joshcryer]

8. Hahahah! You rock.

Man. Brilliant.

[TZ]

3. Depends on your definition of "creativity".

If you define it as artistic creation, one can argue that religion has had a strong influence on art, music, architecture etc.
If creativity is finding novel ways at looking at something ---say discovering that germs cause illness vs. demons or through observaion of birds bills understanding how natural selection works...I would say science.
I would say like beauty, creativity is in the eye of the beholder, though.

[Az]

4. That is what they inspire... but what about whether they themselves are creative

Is religion itself creative in nature? Science?

[edhopper]

5. That makes no sense

these are human constructs that are used to see the world. Neither is "creative".

[Az]

6. So you are saying there is no creativity or imagination involved in the scientific process

Interesting. You seem to be at odds with Einstein on that one as he suggested that Imagination was more important than knowledge. It seems to me based on your conversation so far that there is a great deal to discuss on this subject. Certainly a great deal of difference of opinion.

[edhopper]

7. No.

I said that you are asking which is more creative. I said they are human constructs which both foster creativity. But to debate which is more "creative" is silly.
Who was more creative, Michelangelo or Einstein? It's a silly question.

[Az]

10. I think you are missing a step

Einstein was creative in his practice of science. Michelangelo was creative due to his inspiration of his religion. In practicing his religion he was adhering to doctrine which in itself is noncreative. But his doctrine could inspire him to be creative.

[edhopper]

11. Since religion is all

just made up fantasy, I don't see how it is not creative.

[Az]

13. Fantasy may not be appropriate to all iterations

But I will agree that the initial creation of the religion is creative (assuming the doctrine was not handed down by a divine authority of course). But after that it tends to go stagnant. Once a doctrine is established it becomes quite set in its way. While science embraces creative rethinking of ideas and theories.

[joshcryer]

9. Since only science can create the tangible then clearly that is the answer.

[knitter4democracy]

12. I'm going with both.

The scientific method requires the scientist to think creatively and come up with new theories and new ways to test them.

Religion requires the faithful to find the right personal path. Part of that path is using all of the person, including every talent and skill, to the glory of God(dess, gods, enlightenment, etc.). Religion has led to great works of art, new forms of government, the study of history, and even science itself.

[Darth Lenore]

14. Depends on which religion(s) you're talking about. eom.

[UndertheOcean]

15. Science gets my vote !

[Evoman]

16. Both.

Science is REALLY creative. If you lack in imagination, you're never going to be a scientist....you may be a lab tech, I suppose, but you need to be able to create and adapt and visualize if you want to do research.

Religion is also creative. Just ask a religious person why god hates amputees. Or why a good god allows evil. Or any other reasonable question. You'll get really wild creativity.

Science is the use of creativity in finding answers. Religion is the use of creativity to make shit up.

[rug]

17. Religion is revelation; science is searching.

[Random_Australian]

18. I never saw any tensors describing the bending of space in religion, so I will guess science.

Ooooh living copolymers & light unflavoured muons.

But really, when you hear that you need enough lead to reach 1/3 of the way to proxima centauri to attenuate a neutrino signal, and then you want to measure them and their energies, you better get creative. No really, neutrinos go straight through the earth and everything, little bastards they are. (And they do other fun stuff and have specific helicities and are found near violations of symmetry and conservation laws. Fun!)

[cosmik debris]

19. Religion creates something from nothing

Science only reveals that which is already there.

[skepticscott]

20. Religion wins hands down

No one could look back on so many centuries of theologians and religious apologists of all stripes and faiths coming up with the most outlandish ways to explain the unexplainable and to justify the unjustifiable and not marvel at their endless creativity.

[bananas]

21. Art.

[and-justice-for-all]

22. Religion of course...

they have to be creative, after all, the entire bases of religion is fiction. Not good fiction either.

Science, discovers and has not need to make shit up.

[CampLo]

23. No matter your disdain for religion

you can't deny it inspired some of the greatest paintings and sculptures ever. pretty crap music though.

[cosmik debris]

24. Religion was also responsible for destroying some great art,

and some great artists.