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Science and ReligionScience and Religion
Enemies or AlliesEnemies or Allies
Science = mechanism
“how do my cells divide and replicate?
Religion = meaning
“Why am I here?”
Science does not claim to have all the answers
The beauty of flowers for example can not be measured scientifically
You can not ask science to prove there is a God or not because scientists study the physical world.
Questions about God’s existence are outside the terms of reference!
“Science without religion is lame,
Religion without science is blind”Albert Einstein
So... Are they Enemies or Allies?
The Middle Ages –Scientific Knowledge
Expands
The Earth is seen as centre of the universe.
Thinking was deductive, i.e. Not on observation but on the basis that that the
bible was literally true
Why Earth centred?
• The sun appeared as if moving.
• Earth felt stationary• If earth moved round
surely wind would sweep everything off the earth.
• Distant stars did not seem to change position
• A spinning earth would be expected to fling off everything that was not fixed to it.
• A cannonball, fired straight up would be expected to fall to the west of firing point as the earth moved (same with birds and clouds.)
Some people were studying the stars and noticed that they moved. Eventually, scientists started discussions
that the world was round and went round the sun.
Copernicus (1473 – 1543) A polish priest published a paper based on the belief that the sun was the centre of the universe not the earth. Copernicus was afraid , but his
paper was only read by those who had similar ideas.
Galileo (1564 – 1642) then published his own work based on Copernicus and his
work was widely read.
The church confronts Galileo and asks him to back down
At this time the Vatican is all important, with Pope at head. The Pope issues a statement.
The belief that the earth moves round the sun and that the sun is stationary in the centre of the universe and does not move from east to west id against
the teachings of the Bible and therefore can not be defended or held.
Galileo is put on trial and denies what he published (not surprising as his freedom and
life were at stake.)
Real issue for the church was,
Who interprets the Bible?
The Church wanted to if they allowed the scientists to it would mean a danger to the literal interpretation
of the Bible.
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