The Conflict Between Science and Religion in Frankenstein Essay Example

spirituality or religion could not help with. Science over the centuries have become a crucial part of human beings since it has in many ways provided man with breakthroughs and solutions to challenges. Being able to create another human being like Doctor Victor in the novel is just due to curiosity about life.

Based on the influence religion has in every society, science and technology have faced a battle with faith and religion on how ethical is the scientific actions. The main ideological war between science and religion is the perception of life and death. For instance, religion is always against abortion and artificial life creation (cloning). This is because, in doing these, human beings tend to compete with their supreme being-God. On the other hand, science embraces and appreciates acquisition of facts which surround man every day. Unlike religion, Science is based on facts rather than faith or beliefs. Thus, if based on investigation something can be achieved, science will try at all costs to see it done.

According to (Golman, 2005), life is a sacred gift which God gives human beings. On the other hand, science believes life is the result of reproductive processes like fertilization. This is why science may be able to explain the issue about infertility (which is a fact) while religion may not. In addition, death in science is known to be expiry of life or end of life process. On the contrary, religion views death as transformation from worldly life to either heavenly life or life in hell. Most importantly, religion emphasizes that death should be natural and no man has the right to kill another directly or indirectly.

In the

novel, Mary does not show these differences but the truth is that she wanted to show how science and technology may bring the end of human era. The idea of Victor Frankenstein creating a monster metaphorically shows that scientific acts and knowledge will always drive man towards his extinction. The end of man in the novel is portrayed by the series of killings done by the monster. The monster was created by Victor but began destroying his life and eventually killing its creator. The monster even killed Elizabeth who was greatly loved by Victor aiming at hurting him for abandoning it. It is evident that science in our modern society has started doing the same. Killing human beings even if they are the ones who came up with the practice themselves (Jacobs & Karloff, 2011).

For example, today women never want to give birth and have come to start favoring in vitro fertilization. This is a way of artificially coming up with babies. However, this is also not safe since the child developed may have disorders like mutation due to lack of a biological surrounding when growing up during its initial stages. Therefore, after in vitro fertilization the child’s life may be questionable. A similar case is that of cloning. This is the most sophisticated scientific application man has successfully achieved. However, due to its risky cases, it is prohibited in every country. This is mainly because it has a flaw of clones generated being infertile hence not able to reproduce (Patrick, 1999).

Last but not the least, is the case of ethical dilemmas that face science as far as life and death is concerned. For instance,

religion and science have locked horns for many decades on the idea behind legalizing Euthanasia. Euthanasia is the act of deliberately ending one’s life based on given facts specifically given by a professional doctor. Euthanasia solves the problem of patients who are in a coma as that may continue for many days if not years. The aim for Euthanasia is to relieve guardians of the patient from both financial and psychological challenges. In addition, another fight between life and death is the case where doctors are forced to choose who is to survive between mother and child during critical cases of ectopic pregnancies. Religion emphasizes on making life and death natural since God is believed as the owner of every life. If a human ends the life of another, for whatever reason, that is considered wrong. Any effort of creating another human being is an abomination and is thought to lead to curses (Golman, 2005).

In conclusion and my opinion, Mary Shelley used Frankenstein to show the difference between science and faith. The novel clearly shows the importance of science but also admits that science has flaws which may end up causing disasters to human beings. Mary acknowledges the fact that science may lead to new experiences and innovations. All in all, Frankenstein addresses the issue of life and death in a unique way which captures the attention of readers on how science may create and destroy life at the same time. Based on the great advancement in technology in today’s modern world, the future will definitely experience more scientific inventions and innovations. It is absolutely beyond any doubt that the best or worst about science-religion

fight on life and death is yet to come.

Work cited

• Patrick, T. (1999). Pre-Code Hollywood: Sex, Immorality, and Insurrection in American Cinema 1930-1934. New York: Columbia University Press 1999. ISBN 0-231-11094-4
• Horton, R. (2014). Frankenstein. New York: Wallflower Press & Columbia University Press
  Jacobs, S. & Karloff B. (2011): More Than a Monster, Tomahawk Press
• Golman, H. (2005). Kenneth Strickfaden; Dr. Frankenstein's Electrician. McFarland & Company. ISBN 0-7864-2064-2.
• Shelley Mary. (1931). Frankenstein.