This is an interesting one, and I feel like there are many nuanced conversations to be had about this. I talk mostly about Christianity below, because that is what I have most experience with.
For one, most of the Christian churches that founded universities are considered rather theologically liberal now, sometimes to the point where its adherents question the basis of what I would consider Christianity. While those that haven’t are usually rather conservative. Interestingly, it is conservative churches that are growing right now, while liberal ones appear to be shrinking.
I have personally seen conservative Christians claim that not just religion, but specifically Christianity invented science, and also presuppose that modern science will come round to their belief in an approximately 6000 year old Earth eventually. Whenever scientists stop rejecting the obvious truth. These conservative Christians seem to expect science to only ever confirm their ideas, and if it doesn’t, the science is being read wrong. I can’t claim they aren’t religious, and I can’t claim this isn’t their religion.
But I do acknowledge that many religions have a history promoting scientific thought, that it can be compatible. Religious institutions encouraged people to value knowledge, and used to be a major source of funding to the sciences. From what I’ve heard, religion technically isn’t about belief at all, but ritual and community. I think those are both positive things that we don’t see as much in our society today.
I think there is something in the history of science greater at play than just religion by itself, but that religion may play a role in. The question becomes then: how crucial a role?
This is an interesting one, and I feel like there are many nuanced conversations to be had about this. I talk mostly about Christianity below, because that is what I have most experience with.
For one, most of the Christian churches that founded universities are considered rather theologically liberal now, sometimes to the point where its adherents question the basis of what I would consider Christianity. While those that haven’t are usually rather conservative. Interestingly, it is conservative churches that are growing right now, while liberal ones appear to be shrinking.
I have personally seen conservative Christians claim that not just religion, but specifically Christianity invented science, and also presuppose that modern science will come round to their belief in an approximately 6000 year old Earth eventually. Whenever scientists stop rejecting the obvious truth. These conservative Christians seem to expect science to only ever confirm their ideas, and if it doesn’t, the science is being read wrong. I can’t claim they aren’t religious, and I can’t claim this isn’t their religion.
But I do acknowledge that many religions have a history promoting scientific thought, that it can be compatible. Religious institutions encouraged people to value knowledge, and used to be a major source of funding to the sciences. From what I’ve heard, religion technically isn’t about belief at all, but ritual and community. I think those are both positive things that we don’t see as much in our society today.
I think there is something in the history of science greater at play than just religion by itself, but that religion may play a role in. The question becomes then: how crucial a role?