History of the Conflict Between Religion and Science | Page 4

Reformation. The point in
dispute had respect to the nature of God. It involved the rise of
Mohammedanism. Its result was, that much of Asia and Africa, with
the historic cities Jerusalem, Alexandria, and Carthage, were wrenched
from Christendom, and the doctrine of the Unity of God established in
the larger portion of what had been the Roman Empire.
This political event was followed by the restoration of science, the
establishment of colleges, schools, libraries, throughout the dominions
of the Arabians. Those conquerors, pressing forward rapidly in their
intellectual development, rejected the anthropomorphic ideas of the
nature of God remaining in their popular belief, and accepted other
more philosophical ones, akin to those that had long previously been
attained to in India. The result of this was a second conflict, that
respecting the nature of the soul. Under the designation of Averroism,
there came into prominence the theories of Emanation and Absorption.
At the close of the middle ages the Inquisition succeeded in excluding
those doctrines from Europe, and now the Vatican Council has
formally and solemnly anathematized them.
Meantime, through the cultivation of astronomy, geography, and other
sciences, correct views had been gained as to the position and relations
of the earth, and as to the structure of the world; and since Religion,
resting itself on what was assumed to be the proper interpretation of the
Scriptures, insisted that the earth is the central and most important part
of the universe, a third conflict broke out. In this Galileo led the way on
the part of Science. Its issue was the overthrow of the Church on the
question in dispute. Subsequently a subordinate controversy arose
respecting the age of the world, the Church insisting that it is only
about six thousand years old. In this she was again overthrown The
light of history and of science had been gradually spreading over
Europe. In the sixteenth century the prestige of Roman Christianity was
greatly diminished by the intellectual reverses it had experienced, and
also by its political and moral condition. It was clearly seen by many
pious men that Religion was not accountable for the false position in
which she was found, but that the misfortune was directly traceable to
the alliance she had of old contracted with Roman paganism. The
obvious remedy, therefore, was a return to primitive purity. Thus arose
the fourth conflict, known to us as the Reformation--the second or

Northern Reformation. The special form it assumed was a contest
respecting the standard or criterion of truth, whether it is to be found in
the Church or in the Bible. The determination of this involved a
settlement of the rights of reason, or intellectual freedom. Luther, who
is the conspicuous man of the epoch, carried into effect his intention
with no inconsiderable success; and at the close of the struggle it was
found that Northern Europe was lost to Roman Christianity.
We are now in the midst of a controversy respecting the mode of
government of the world, whether it be by incessant divine intervention,
or by the operation of primordial and unchangeable law. The
intellectual movement of Christendom has reached that point which
Arabism had attained to in the tenth and eleventh centuries; and
doctrines which were then discussed are presenting themselves again
for review; such are those of Evolution, Creation, Development.
Offered under these general titles, I think it will be found that all the
essential points of this great controversy are included. By grouping
under these comprehensive heads the facts to be considered, and
dealing with each group separately, we shall doubtless acquire clear
views of their inter-connection and their historical succession.
I have treated of these conflicts as nearly as I conveniently could in
their proper chronological order, and, for the sake of completeness,
have added chapters on--
An examination of what Latin Christianity has done for modern
civilization.
A corresponding examination of what Science has done.
The attitude of Roman Christianity in the impending conflict, as
defined by the Vatican Council.
The attention of many truth-seeking persons has been so exclusively
given to the details of sectarian dissensions, that the long strife, to the
history of which these pages are devoted, is popularly but little known.
Having tried to keep steadfastly in view the determination to write this
work in an impartial spirit, to speak with respect of the contending
parties, but never to conceal the truth, I commit it to the considerate
judgment of the thoughtful reader.
JOHN WILLIAM DRAPER
UNIVERSITY, NEW YORK, December, 1878.

HISTORY OF THE CONFLICT BETWEEN RELIGION AND
SCIENCE.



CHAPTER I.
THE ORIGIN OF SCIENCE.
Religious condition of the Greeks in the fourth century before Christ.--
Their invasion of the Persian Empire brings them in contact with new
aspects of Nature, and familiarizes them with new