Alan Cutler writes on "The War That Wasn't." This article, which is long on assertions and short on citations, takes the point that the well-known heresy trial of Galileo was an abherration, rather than the norm. He states that the war between science and religion is more of a media-driven construct than reality:
[The media] depict the religious orthodoxy as historically bent on squelching reason and scientific inquiry in a desperate effort to protect bankrupt dogmas. Partisans of religion have their own version, in which science is the aggressor.
He also suggests something that I have long been thought to be true but have not followed up on:
Historians and sociologists have found that divisions within the Church have been typically more important than any conflict with science in estranging people from orthodoxy.
Thanks to Marilyn Savitt-Kring.
Hi,
ReplyDeleteI just randomly stumbled onto your blog via the Blogger homepage (the list of recently updated blogs, I think it was). The title caught my eye as I am a student of theology & science. Just wanted to say bravo for putting this discussion out there, and that there is a lot of fine literature on the relationship of science & religion/theology--names that come to mind immediately: Arthur Peacocke, Ian Barbour, John Polkinghorne, J. Wentzel van Huyssteen, John Haught (specifically on evolution, so you might want to start there), and Michael Ruse (not a theologian but a very interesting read, also specifically on the evolution/Christianity question). Hope this impromptu bibliography wasn't too obnoxious--just a sign of my own enthusiasm and appreciation.
JTB
Sorry to have missed this comment originally. No, the bibliography was not obnoxious. I am always looking out for new things to read on the subject and welcome the input. Stay tuned.
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