When Descarte a couple hundred years ago introduced his model of Universe where everything goes according to natural laws, he was asked "Where is god in this universe?". His reply was: "I no longer need this hypothesis" (about gods pushing planets to make them orbit stars, and gods igniting/maintaining stars, etc).

The progress in science would be much faster, if this idea (which actually originated in ancient Greece) that everything goes by itself in accordance with mathematical rules, would not be severely suppressed by Christianity for 2+ thousands years. We would live in 5th millenia by now. But the religion takes its tall. Sometimes even by physically removing scientists from society (burning them, using inquisition, etc).

And if you think that today's religion is harmless to progress - think again: banning Davinism/Big Bang teaching and stem cell/cloning research are just a few recent examples of how ignorant (if not to say stupid) are some of our leaders (again likely due to poor education system). Glad we do not have to pray before and after each astronomy/physics lesson.

• I agree that religion has been a hindrance - yanniru - September 5, 2001 - 19:44 UTC
  • So, science prosper only when authorities are weak. - alexander - September 5, 2001 - 21:52 UTC
    • It goes on and on. - pmartin - September 6, 2001 - 00:23 UTC
      • I wonder... - stormcrow - September 6, 2001 - 00:38 UTC
        • Politicians have used religion - yanniru - September 6, 2001 - 12:44 UTC