Üsküdar Üniversitesi Founding Rector, Psychiatrist Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan was a guest on the Farklı Bakış program broadcast on Diyanet TV. In the program hosted by Salih Bayrakçı, Tarhan made assessments on the topics of “Health, Religion, Science,” stating that spiritual inclination increased during the pandemic and that he believes a synthesis of religion and science will begin in the world.
“Thinking minds will find the truth”
Stating that Üsküdar Üniversitesi conducted 'epidemiological' studies during the pandemic, reaching 6,300 experiments, Tarhan made evaluations regarding the changes experienced during the pandemic: “50 to 60% of society shows spiritual development after the epidemic. The inclination towards spirituality has also started in the West; thinking minds will search for and find the truth. I believe that a synthesis of religion and science will begin in the world. Quantum physicists are astonished; the power of big data, that is, the universal database, means the Preserved Tablet. Quantum, physics, chemistry, matter, life, and biology come in sequence. The mathematics in the universe shows the existence of God. Those who look carefully will find the truth in the West. We live in an age of speed, and I think good things will also spread rapidly.”
“Natural sciences are not the only science”
Explaining that there is confusion regarding religion and science in Turkey, Tarhan stated: “Religious sciences and natural sciences are different avenues; these avenues cannot be preferred over each other. Confucius says that when building a new society, one must start with 'concepts.' In our country, only natural sciences have been presented as 'science,' whereas other fields are also science. Science is the endeavor to search for truth. If we experience this change, mind and heart will unite. With the discovery of neuroscience, it was revealed that reason does not explain everything.”
“Pay attention to your beliefs, they can turn into illnesses”
Referring to how the value of beliefs is understood in times of crisis, Tarhan said: “Religion gives meaning to life and offers solace. In times of crisis, people realize their helplessness, seeing the physician as a sacred being, whereas healing comes from God. Someone with weak faith enters surgery with doubts and cannot surrender, consequently anxiety rises, and adversities are experienced. They cannot experience the pleasure within trust and surrender. When you surrender, you become aware that you are not alone in the face of calamities. In our culture, 'sağlık ve afiyet' is said; 'afiyet' means a state of well-being, meaning 'May God grant you a state of well-being' is uttered. Modernism increased material prosperity but could not increase spiritual prosperity. The West needs the ethics and teachings of the Quran; we need to explain this.”