Almost all major fields in science were discovered by Christians. Scientists like Sir Isaac Newton were found to have more notes from Bible study than papers on his research in Science and Mathematics combined. Yet, Christians has no voice in the world of technology. Why is this the case? Why is the modern scientist more susceptible to agnostic or atheistic beliefs?
Let’s go all the way back to the 15th century, where almost all phenomena were explained superstitiously. All of Christendom were under the umbrella of the Universal Church, popularly known as the Roman Catholic Church. The Church’s voice were like the Word of God, and the Pope had such massive political influence. However, the Church began to persecute scientists whose experiments revealed scientific knowledge contradictory to the beliefs of the Church.
One of such beliefs is the earth being flat, and another being that the earth is the centre of the universe. Copernicus and especially Galileo were heavily persecuted, defamed and had their scientific works banned. This was the beginning of the modern separation of science from religion. Christendom waged an unnecessary war with science as if it were the exact opposite of Christian faith.
Christians “feared” that science will explain logically something they chose to believe blindly. This is because Christianity is based on blind faith while science is based on logical reasoning and systematic analyses. Although not written anywhere in the Bible, Christians believe that the world was created 6000 years ago while science speaks of billions of years. Christianity thought science was belittling the uniqueness of humans after the discovery of billions of galaxies. Humans felt so small and insignificant compared to the vastness of space.
By the beginning of the Enlightenment Age started by Réné Descartes, the average scientist realised that Christian beliefs only retarded scientific quest to investigate natural phenomena by following scientific methods and resulting with scientific data. Why would a Christian want to know how it simply rains? “It is the work of God. God works in mysterious ways. There is no way we can understand Him.” Eventually, science and religion began to have contradictory explanations for every natural occurrence.
About a 100 years into the Enlightenment Age, the Holiness movement began in Christendom. Teachings about focusing on Heaven rather than the things of the earth popularised. Many verses about being poor on earth but rich in Heaven were stressed. In Jesus’ own words, “it is easier for a camel to pass through an eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of Heaven”. Why amass wealth on earth, where moths can eat them? Why make the world a better place, if you’re going to die and go to Heaven?
Soon, being poor was tantamount to being Christian. That’s how come the phrase “filthy rich”, was framed. While Christians focused more on the afterlife, the world focused on more on technology and making the world a better place. The world of technology expanded and it had nothing to do with Christianity. Early televanglists began to speak heavily against the evils of technology in modern day, all the while using technology to propagate their messages. Many Christian leaders still censure technology to this day.
Before the Prosperity Gospel movement could start in the late 20th century for the world of Christianity to believe there’s nothing wrong with being rich, Christians were far behind in making an impact, not only in the world of technology, but the world at large. The political arena, world of science and technology and even sustainability were no longer dominated with “Christian” power. The richest people in the world, most influential and most revolutionary people were not necessarily Christians.
Christendom was united under the Roman Catholic Church for about 1000 years. After Martin Luther submitted his 99 theses to spark the start of Protestantism, there hasn’t been a stop to separation within the “Body of Christ”. Today, there are a whopping 45,000 denominations and counting. There is still an on-going debate against the speculations of science. The world no longer knows what we believe, because we lack oneness. Thank goodness the world went on to make itself better – in terms of technology – without us.
Today, the average scientists believes in making the world a better place but this is yet to sync into the reality of the average Christian. The average scientist still thinks one need not believe in God because it will be an impediment to discover, uncover and explore. The world no longer looks to the Church. Rather, the Church is yet to catch up with world movements. This is all because the Church refused to embrace the world of science and technology at the beginning of its modern history.
If you’re a Christian and you believe in science, let me hear your thoughts on this.
This is great. What I could see and tell about Religion and Science is just misunderstanding between the two. I still remember Galileo’s story. The truth is, when God created everything according to Religion/Faith, I believe Science is inclusive but yet to be visible in human lives as at the time Science begin to evolve into existence then. To the best of my knowledge and understanding, Science discovered, they do not create anything, no matter how good the technology or whatever comes from the World Science may be, it’s from what was created before human being began to research and discovered them. Up till today no Scientist can create blood, but they have discovered classes, groups or whatever categories it can be place. I just believe, God is revealing another part of Him to the World through Science but at the end all glory must go back to God alone. Thanks.
This is great. What I could see and tell about Religion and Science is just misunderstanding between the two. I still remember Galileo’s story. The truth is, when God created everything according to Religion/Faith, I believe Science is inclusive but yet to be visible in human lives as at the time Science begin to evolve into existence then. To the best of my knowledge and understanding, Science discovered, they do no create anything, no matter how good the technology or whatever comes from the World Science may be, it’s from what was created before, then human being began to research and discovered them. Up till today no Scientist can create blood, but they have discovered classes, groups or whatever categories it can be place. I just believe, God is revealing another part of Him to the World through Science but at the end all glory must go back to God alone. Thanks.
Great article. I could say I am a de facto Christian, who believes in Science to some extent. Well, the dichotomy between science and religion is a great and complex one a lot can’t wrap their head around.
Science has shown how progressively it drives us, in a way that although undeniably arguably good, pulls away one block every other time from under the very foundations of Christianity. Like you said, Christianity is based on faith, while science is based on logical reasoning and theoretical deductions through research and experimentation. The literal definition of faith itself is the direct opposite of logical reasoning – that’s what I think.
Science can continue to help us understand the world around us and the universe at large. Christianity, and for that matter religion, can continue helping us come in touch with our spirituality and higher purpose. As to which would lead us to the best of ourselves, we can’t really tell. If we are to take from the current, as well as ancient and recent historical happenings, it would appear as if science is taking a slight lead on that one: religion has influenced some really bizarre and inhumane events in our history, perhaps as much as science through technological advancement has armored degenerate minds with the tools for human, societal and ecological destruction. Both have rendered their shortcomings apparent, however the reason science seems to be amassing increasing favour from the world is that unlike religion it does not strictly uphold itself highly as the “prescribed and ultimate way”, as holy, as driven by love for all, with the highest of directives, superior divine knowledge. How should what was supposed to have been instituted by such superior and transcendent authority even exhibit the exact same attributes of human weakness as that which upholds no such claim.
There is a growing mistrust of religion as it does not exactly well represent what it professes and for when it already seems to be standing in the way of scientific and technological advancement, the dichotomy continues to paint the picture of two paths which are travelling up, down, left, right, moving away and coming close to each other and all but never seeming to meet. We are now seeing and yet to see even more of a time where those two paths diverge too far away on their own and may never come within proximity of each other, each leading to its own perceived treasures. Only the end will tell.
Yet another amazing perspective. Can’t stop reading. Thank you so much, Coom
This is a clear article that didn’t compromise any subject of the major factions in question. I guess the reader will have to make a distinctive decision after reading it. I still believe science cannot have the answers to all stuff under the sun.
Thanks for your comment, Henry ☺