Author: Abu Raef
Secularism (part 33)
Examples of the Church’s Inability to Confront Science
The Church has often been opposed to and contradicted scientific research, and over time, its errors became evident. For instance, the Church believed that the Earth was flat and at the center of the universe, but Nicolaus Copernicus argued that the Earth is spherical and orbits the Sun. It was later confirmed that the Church’s geocentric model was incorrect, and that Copernicus’s heliocentric theory was accurate.
Additionally, the Church claimed that the universe was created in six ordinary days around 4004 BC. However, scientists like Charles Lyell and Charles Darwin provided evidence that the age of the Earth is millions to billions of years, with human evolution occurring over millions of years. It was ultimately established that Lyell’s and Darwin’s theories were correct, while the Church’s doctrines were found to be lacking.
The Church also stated that 1+1+1=1, whereas basic principles of mathematics regard this as equal to 3. Additionally, following Aristotle, the Church believed that the universe consisted of only four elements, whereas scientific principles and discoveries have shown that there are many more elements, with over 104 elements known today, although it is commonly known that the primary elements of creation are four.
The Church claims that the Torah, the Bible, and other scriptures are revealed by Allah, but historical critics argue that these texts are the work of their authors. It was later proven that the critics were correct.
The Church also asserted that bread and wine in the “Eucharist” turn into the real blood and body of Jesus Christ, whereas reason and science indicate that this is impossible and highly unlikely.
The Church believed that monasticism was a means of purity and high virtue, but human and social sciences argue that this practice is contrary to human nature and leads to the destruction of humanity.
The Church thought that diseases were caused by demons and could be treated with prayers and the anointing of the cross, but medicine and science identify that diseases are caused by very tiny organisms, and their eradication requires chemical treatments.
These are examples of various instances where the Church’s stance was clearly opposed to the principles and foundations of science, making religion appear worthless and science contradictory to it in Western societies. It became clear from this discussion that the fundamental cause of the secularization of science in Western societies was the clear contradiction between the Church and science.
Over time, the secularization of science became widespread, encompassing all branches of empirical sciences such as chemistry, physics, biology, astronomy, oceanography, medicine, etc., and extended to social, economic, political, anthropological sciences, and more. As a result, science became the sole accepted source and authority in all empirical fields, logic, rationality, and a means to reach the truth.
The reliance of science was also seen as based on nature and naturalism, with no role or influence attributed to Allah, divine revelation, or religious teachings in this context.
The conflict between science and the Church’s superstitions has had negative effects on contemporary societies. Many believe that science and true religious teachings are opposed and contradictory. Consequently, educational methods, research, and investigations have largely been devoid of religious elements, becoming purely secular. For the younger generation and educated classes, this has created a dilemma: either accept religion with its rigidity and backwardness or choose atheism associated with enlightenment, freedom of thought, and opinion. Unfortunately, the overwhelming majority in the West have chosen atheism to avoid the label of being backward.
Jude says: “I might count no more than six people as believers in Christianity, while I can easily count more than a hundred atheists. It has become very difficult to find a cultured person who is religious. Most of the people who go to church are elderly and have no connection with culture and civilization, and even then, they are no more than a tenth of the population of Britain.”
Other negative results and impacts of the separation between science and religion include:
1. Confusion and distress about the divine nature, from the existence of Allah to discussions about His attributes and capabilities.
2. Lack of understanding of the purpose of creation and forgetting the ultimate goal of creation.
3. Denial of human free will.
4. Lack of understanding of the cause of existence and the universe, and blind judgment in this matter.
5. Misuse of scientific knowledge and discoveries for the destruction of nations and genocide of people and creatures.
And many other adverse effects and consequences that have arisen from the secularization and loss of religiosity in science and scientific discoveries.
