☯️Science and the Sacred Unit 1 – Science and Religion: Historical Perspectives

Key Concepts and Definitions

• Conflict thesis proposes an inherent conflict between science and religion
• Harmony thesis suggests science and religion are fundamentally compatible and complementary
• Natural theology argues that the existence and attributes of God can be inferred from the natural world
• Deism believes in a creator God who does not intervene in the universe after its creation
• Theistic evolution asserts that God guides the process of evolution
• Intelligent design proposes that certain features of the universe are best explained by an intelligent cause
• Materialism holds that only matter exists and that all phenomena can be explained in terms of physical processes
• Scientism is the view that science is the only reliable source of knowledge

Historical Context

• Ancient and medieval thinkers often saw science and religion as complementary ways of understanding the world
• The Scientific Revolution of the 16th and 17th centuries challenged traditional religious authority
  • Copernican heliocentrism contradicted the Church's geocentric cosmology
  • Galileo's observations supported Copernican theory, leading to his trial by the Roman Inquisition
• The Enlightenment of the 18th century emphasized reason and empiricism over religious dogma
• Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection (1859) challenged literal interpretations of the biblical creation story
• The 20th century saw the rise of fundamentalist religious movements that rejected modern science
  • The Scopes "Monkey" Trial (1925) debated the teaching of evolution in public schools
• Recent decades have seen efforts to reconcile science and religion through dialogue and interdisciplinary scholarship

Major Figures and Their Contributions

• Galileo Galilei (1564-1642) supported Copernican heliocentrism and faced opposition from the Catholic Church
• Isaac Newton (1643-1727) saw his scientific work as revealing God's design in the universe
• Charles Darwin (1809-1882) proposed the theory of evolution by natural selection
  • His work challenged traditional religious views on the origin and diversity of life
• Pierre Teilhard de Chardin (1881-1955), a Jesuit priest and paleontologist, sought to reconcile evolution and Christianity
• Albert Einstein (1879-1955) expressed a sense of "cosmic religion" and rejected a personal God
• Stephen Jay Gould (1941-2002) proposed the concept of "non-overlapping magisteria" (NOMA) to separate the domains of science and religion
• Francis Collins (b. 1950), a geneticist and Christian, argues for the compatibility of science and faith

Scientific Discoveries and Religious Responses

• Copernican heliocentrism challenged the Church's geocentric cosmology based on biblical passages
• Newtonian mechanics was seen by some as evidence of God's design, while others used it to argue for a "clockwork universe" without divine intervention
• Darwinian evolution contradicted literal interpretations of the biblical creation story
  • Some religious thinkers embraced evolution as compatible with faith, while others rejected it outright
• Big Bang cosmology raised questions about the origin and purpose of the universe
  • Some saw it as evidence for a creator, while others argued it eliminated the need for God
• Advances in neuroscience and psychology have challenged traditional notions of the soul and free will
• Developments in genetics and biotechnology raise ethical questions informed by both scientific and religious perspectives

Philosophical and Theological Debates

• The problem of evil questions how an omnipotent and benevolent God can allow suffering
  • Some argue that suffering is compatible with God's existence, while others see it as evidence against theism
• The argument from design holds that the complexity and order of the universe imply a divine creator
  • Critics argue that natural selection can account for apparent design without invoking God
• The fine-tuning argument suggests that the precise values of physical constants are evidence of a cosmic designer
  • Opponents argue that the anthropic principle and the possibility of multiple universes provide alternative explanations
• Process theology sees God as evolving along with the universe, rather than as a static and omnipotent being
• Postmodern and feminist theologies critique the influence of cultural biases on both science and religion
• The question of divine action asks how God can intervene in a world governed by natural laws

Case Studies and Controversies

• The Galileo affair (1633) exemplifies the conflict between scientific evidence and religious authority
• The Scopes "Monkey" Trial (1925) debated the teaching of evolution in public schools
  • The trial highlighted the tensions between science and fundamentalist Christianity in America
• The Dover trial (2005) ruled that intelligent design is not science and cannot be taught in public school science classes
• Debates over stem cell research and genetic engineering involve both scientific and religious considerations
• The recent "New Atheist" movement, led by figures such as Richard Dawkins and Christopher Hitchens, has criticized religion as irrational and harmful
• Climate change has become a point of contention, with some religious groups denying its reality or human causes

Impact on Society and Culture

• The rise of modern science has challenged traditional religious authority and worldviews
  • This has led to secularization in some societies, while others have experienced a resurgence of religious fundamentalism
• Science and religion have influenced public policy debates on issues such as education, bioethics, and environmental protection
• The conflict thesis has perpetuated the idea that science and religion are inherently at odds
  • This has contributed to polarization and misunderstanding between scientific and religious communities
• Efforts at dialogue and reconciliation have sought to find common ground and promote cooperation between science and religion
• The integration of scientific and religious perspectives has influenced art, literature, and popular culture
  • Examples include the poetry of John Donne, the paintings of Salvador Dalí, and the novels of Ursula K. Le Guin

Modern Perspectives and Ongoing Discussions

• The field of science and religion has grown in recent decades, with the establishment of academic programs, conferences, and publications
• Scholars have proposed various models for the relationship between science and religion, such as conflict, independence, dialogue, and integration
• Theologians have developed new approaches that engage with scientific findings, such as evolutionary theology and the theology of nature
• Scientists have explored the implications of their work for religious and philosophical questions, such as the nature of consciousness and the origin of the universe
• Interfaith initiatives have brought together scientists and religious leaders to address global challenges such as climate change and social justice
• The cognitive science of religion has investigated the psychological and evolutionary roots of religious belief
• Debates continue over the proper boundaries between science and religion, the role of religion in public life, and the ethical implications of emerging technologies