1. Answers to Bigger Questions
1.1. Both science and religion seek to answer the same fundamental questions about origins, nature and humanity (Hinnells, 2010, p. 509)
1.1.1. Nature
1.1.1.1. Divine design/plan vs. random, indifferent nature; "In some sense the structures of the universe were 'aimed at'" (Swimme, 1992, p. 69)
1.1.1.2. Coincidence vs. God's will: Observance of nature prompts and supports belief in divine creation as well as the understanding of scientific principles
1.1.1.3. Even science admits there is much that is either outside of our ability to understand and explain, or simply yet to understand and explain
1.1.2. Humanity
1.1.2.1. Afterlife
1.1.2.1.1. Existence of heaven
1.1.2.2. Meaning of life
1.1.2.3. Immaterial soul
1.1.3. Origins
1.1.3.1. Creation vs. Evolution
1.1.3.2. Big-Bang Theory
1.1.3.2.1. Can support either religion or science, a "moment of creation out of nothing" or a cold, Creator-less system (Hinnells, 2010, p. 519)
2. Faith vs. Reason
2.1. Contrasting what is observable and what is not observable: Like science, religion makes inferences about the unobservable from what can be observed (Hinnells, 2010, p. 518)
2.1.1. Afterlife
2.1.1.1. Cremation
2.1.1.2. Existence of heaven
2.1.2. Free will debate
2.1.2.1. Divine design/plan vs. random, indifferent nature
2.1.2.2. Coincidence vs. God's will
2.1.3. Evidence-based Medical Practice vs. Traditional Religious Practice
2.1.3.1. Circumcision
2.1.3.2. Birth control
2.1.3.3. Vaccinations
3. Playing God
3.1. Moral and Political Questions Arise from Scientific Discoveries and Advancements: What is the role of science and medicine and how does it relate to a theological discussion of morality? Does science answer if we "can" and religion answer if we "should"?
3.1.1. Are there some areas of science and medicine that should be left up to God?
3.1.1.1. Assisted Suicide
3.1.1.2. Artificial Intelligence
3.1.1.3. Stem-cell Research
3.1.2. Does science and medicine interfere with God's plan?
3.1.2.1. Abortion
3.1.2.2. Vaccinations
3.1.2.3. Birth control