Sir

In his Correspondence 'Religion: science is partially based on faith' (Nature 455, 26–27; 2008), Jonathan Cowie argues that science and religion are more similar than often thought, suggesting that experimental application of the scientific method involves faith. However, he is conflating two different meanings of 'faith'.

Cowie's inherent definition of faith pertains to scientists' hopeful expectations that experiments will verify their (rational) hypotheses, whereas the definition relevant to religion is belief without evidence.

Insisting on evidence-based beliefs separates science starkly from religion. Contrary to Cowie's assertion and to the goals of the Templeton Foundation, the chasm between science and religion is fundamentally unbridgeable.

see also Religion and science: a guide for the 'perplexed'.