1.

The estrangement between science and Christianity evolved from a combination of scientific,
philosophical, and religious factors. Scientifically, the Copernican Theory challenged the long-held
Aristotelian geocentric view of the universe, leading to conflicts with religious authorities who adhered
to the Ptolemaic System. Whereby he mentioned that, “The model proposed originally by Copernicus
lacked many features we ordinarily attribute to his heliocentric system. These features came to be added
as his theory got developed in the hands of Kepler, Newton and others.” Galileo's discoveries further
fueled tensions, particularly when he used them to support heliocentrism, prompting clashes with the
Church over the interpretation of scripture. Similarly, the theory of evolution introduced by Darwin in
the mid-19th century clashed with Biblical accounts of creation, exacerbating the divide between
scientific inquiry and religious doctrine. We see how the church community further discussed the theme
by mentioning that, “ According to Kepler, Galileo and others, the principal purpose of the Bible is the
moral and spiritual development of humans; to teach people how to lead a higher level of religious and
moral life.” Philosophically, the rise of the Mechanical Philosophy of Nature and movements like the
Enlightenment and Positivism emphasized reason, scientific method, and empirical evidence, often
challenging religious orthodoxy and leading to a reductionist view of the universe. Additionally, the
Protestant Reformation and emphasis on a literal interpretation of scripture contributed to the
estrangement, as differing interpretations and theological disputes arose between Protestant and
Catholic factions, further complicating the relationship between science and Christianity.

Overall, the estrangement between science and Christianity emerged from a complex interplay of
scientific discoveries, philosophical shifts, and religious tensions. While scientific advancements
challenged traditional religious beliefs and interpretations, philosophical movements like the
Enlightenment promoted rationalism and empiricism, further eroding the authority of religious
institutions. Meanwhile, religious divisions, particularly between Protestantism and Catholicism, led to
differing approaches to scripture interpretation and theological doctrine, creating additional barriers to
reconciliation between science and Christianity. He further paraphrased the point by elaborating that, “
They hold the view of Galileo that, scientific passages in the Bible should be interpreted in light of
scientific theories could lead to disunity and confusion.” These factors collectively contributed to a
period of estrangement marked by conflicts over cosmology, evolution, and the relationship between
scientific inquiry and religious faith, highlighting the ongoing struggle to reconcile the pursuit of
knowledge with deeply held religious convictions.

To counter my argument, the estrangement between science and Christianity, it's essential to note that
such estrangement was not solely the result of scientific, philosophical, or religious causes. Rather, it
often arose from misunderstandings and misinterpretations on both sides. For instance, in the case of
the Copernican Theory, while initial skepticism and resistance existed within the scientific and religious
communities, subsequent developments by scientists like Kepler and Newton provided stronger
empirical evidence supporting heliocentrism. Moreover, Galileo's telescopic observations, initially met
with enthusiasm by some within the Church, were later condemned due to a confluence of factors
including theological conservatism and political pressure. Additionally, philosophical movements like the
Enlightenment and Positivism, while influential, did not uniformly reject religious belief; instead, they
encouraged critical inquiry and rational discourse, which could complement religious thought rather
than supplant it entirely. Lastly, religious causes such as Protestantism's emphasis on individual
interpretation of scripture and the Jesuit General's directives against deviating from Thomism and
Aristotelianism reflect internal tensions within Christianity rather than inherent conflicts with science.
Thus, while historical instances of estrangement exist, a nuanced understanding reveals opportunities for
dialogue and mutual enrichment between science and Christianity.