If someone says science can't explain everything what's the best way to repond?

[KevinM1]

Science isn't supposed to explain everything. It's supposed to uncover and describe the mechanics in play in our universe. But it is, when done properly, amoral and devoid of philosophical meaning. Intentionally so.

"Science can't explain everything!" has just as much coherence as "My watch can't tell me what to do with my life!" or "My cardiovascular system can't inform my morality!" It's utterly nonsensical, and misses the point by a large margin.

That said, and in order to head theists off at the pass, remember that they claim that their god(s) have done amazing things that we should have physical evidence of. And yet, we don't. Evidence either directly contradicts the claims (global flood is an easy example), or goes against everything we currently know (resurrection). And any "Well, doing the impossible and not leaving any physical evidence except the stories of disciples who had a vested interest in marketing their god/messiah is exactly what a miracle is, thus the god/messiah must be real" statements beg the question.

[Jackalope]

I note that the people who typically ask such questions are informed by methods that effectively explain nothing.

[Bunburryist]

The supernatural is real and "science" can't explain it.

I think you're wasting your time discussing these kinds of things with people who are willing to put "supernatural" and "science" in the same sentence.  If you think you're actually going to get through to people like that, you're going to be sorely disappointed.  See, you're approaching these discussions in the wrong way.  Have fun!  Think of them as "intellectual sparring matches" - opportunities for you to sharpen your own reasoning and arguing skills.  If you get bruised, pick yourself up, learn a lesson, and do better next time!

[TheMonster]

"Science can't explain everything" is a common thing I hear.
My response is "neither can your religion". Just because an objective study of the universe has not answered a specific question does not mean it never will (God of the Gaps) and does not mean you get to substitute the lack of information with religious bullshit misinformation. 

And some questions (I borrow this point from Dawkins) are not even honest answerable questions: What is the meaning of life? Why do we exist? Why is there so much disaster in the world?
You might as well ask what colour is sadness! All nonsense questions.
Religious people are trained to ask these nonsense questions so that nonsense answers can be given by religion. Religious people evaluate almost all viewpoints using this idiotic litmus test. They pose these questions to science and obviously science does not have an answer.... because they are nonsense questions!

So they say religion "complements" the understanding of the world offered by science.

In summery, you can defeat this daft proposition that "science can't answer everything" by shooting it back and them and asking "would you rather be intellectually honest and say 'I don't know' or make up some bullshit and pretend it is the truth?"

[DanTheOutlaw]

"Does an absence in Scientific knowledge make your religion any more likely?"

[Arkilogue]

One route a person might go down is to say "there is no way to measure love". In which case, I'll list the hormones associated with love and infer that by measuring those we can be sure a person is in love.

Ah but the emotional condition and bond with my son called "love" can produce both oxytocin when we are playing together or adrenaline to protect him from harm. Love is pretty versatile!

Can we scientifically measure whether the adrenaline is produced by love or fear or even anger?

Even anger is "versatile" in that it can lead to emotional outburst and physical destruction or be used to become sharper and more capable of handling the upsetting situation and the accomplishment of that feels pretty darn good!

[Ravenshire]

If someone says science can't explain everything what's the best way to respond?

Remind them that science has provided more answers in the last 100 years than religion ever has, or ever will.

[Arkilogue]

If someone says science can't explain everything what's the best way to respond?

Remind them that science has provided more answers in the last 100 years than religion ever has, or ever will.

According to the Latin root word for religion "re ligare" (to bring together, to bind, to unify), science is the most successful religion since the dawn of history. What else has actually connected humankind together more?

[zebo-the-fat]

Science can't explain everything.....YET!

[Iroscato]

"Don't try to hammer nails with a fish taco. Use the right tool for the job."

DON'T YOU TELL ME WHAT TO DO.

*Angrily buys a fish taco and looks for some nails to hammer in*