Why do Chrisitans view scientists as the enemy?

Question

Most scientists I know are not out to kill religion. I don't understand why Christians hate on Darwin and villify him, since everything I have ever read about him suggests he was an honest man trying to search for truth. I deconverted from Christianity to agnosticism after I realized all the problems with the Bible (contridictions, wrathful OT God).

As for evolution, the only thing I really take issue with is the way it is conducted. I see a lot of arrogance in the field as everyone who finds a flaw is automatically tarred as a creationist. I also have a problem with the fact that there is no fail condition when it comes to finding fossils (i.e., if you don't find the fossil, it doesn't disprove its existence; parallel arguements are being made about string theory). Other than that, I don't see the problem, since it otherwise fits the mold of science very well.

Oh, and I still think Richard Dawkins is an arrogent jerk.

Ok, i really phrased this poorly. My deconversion did not happen because I suddenly bought into evolution or anything like that. I read the Bible and saw for myself numerous contridictions and also saw how the OT God was a god of wrath and was really put off. I did pray for help and tried to work my way back, but nothing ever came of it and I didn't want to be in denial any longer, so I left.

No, I don't take everything scientists say at face value. For example, I questioned the sacchrine experiment on mice (turns out the most probable reason they got cancer was because they were fed the equivalent of a human eating thousands of packs of sacchrine). I questioned my religion, but my pastor got mad and told me that it was Satan working in me. Science has room for questions, religion does not.

Yes, I know that there were (and are) respectable scientists that were religious, however, they were good about keeping the two apart.

Answer 1

Christians do not view scientists as the enemy. Some of the world's greatest scientists were Christians.
What we sometimes object to are those non-scientists who are as bigoted as religious fanatics, sure they have all the answers all the time.
The fact that many Christians do not agree with Darwin's theory, - does that mean they view scientists as the enemy?
In the USA today many people will tar and feather you just for talking about "intelligent design" - which is as Darwinist as you can get! In order to be respected as a human being, it seems it is necessary to find out exactly what the latest theories are, and say you agree with them 100%.
I'm not referring to the attitude of scientists here, but of some science teachers (I call them second-hand scientists), and a few scientists with an unscientific attitude.
EDIT:
Just skimming over some answers. I think I should add: As I refer to "some unscientific scientists", there are also some Christians who show a certain level of ignorance. We don't give out an IQ test or an Aptitude test before allowing an individual to call himself a Christian. The door is open to everyone. Intelligent or Slow. Knowledgeable or Ignorant.

Answer 2

Goodness, but you are listening to the most biased of Christians! Just like some Christians seem to see those who are Darwinists (as opposed to scientists who have an understanding of Darwin's theories and the theories that have followed in his wake).

Darwinists have a belief system. They take challenges personally and get upset. They try to damage Christianity and other religions. They do not understand that theories change, are abandoned, and that one of the strengths of science is that EVERYTHING is open to question if it can be tested and repeated.

That's why educated Christians don't fear (and even try to encourage) science. Science doesn't question belief, or things that can't be tested and repeated. It has no need or ability to deny God or most of what people believe in. It simply isn't a tool for use in that way. It is NOT a belief system, just a tool. One that educated Christians appreciate and use (why the U.S.A. and other freedom-loving countries are well into the 21st century while many other countries are just catching up to the late 20th.

Have a talk with a Christian or two about science (ask if they like science). Don't expect them to just believe. Would you believe something that someone couldn't prove for sure? I bet you already do accept much of what you read without testing it personally (we only have so much time, after all).

Answer 3

I don't see scientists as an enemy, but Darwin's book, "Origin of the Species," is misnamed; it says nothing at all about the origins of life. Many scientists will say they cannot explain the origin of life, and that evolution is not concerned with abiogenesis.
My religion will never retreat from science. There is no reason to.
To the moron above me that said this:
"Just a few centuries ago, people still bought into the Biblical nonsense that there were cities made of gold just above the clouds."
There is no such thing in the Bible.

Answer 4

Most Christians I know do not hate scientists but their view of them depends on what the scientist says or does. If a scientist is working on evolution he goes against the Bible since God did not make monkey then man (and other relative ideas). It all depends on who the Christian is and the scientist is. So to answer your question, Christians view scientists as the enemy because their views oppose each other.

Answer 5

Many christians are confused, back about 4 centuries ago scientist shook off the feeling of being lost, the churchmen had the minds of the people, but they were doing things that was contradictory of what they were teaching and people fell away from religion. so they took matters into their own hands and sought out to conquer the unknown they gradually focused on the preoccupation of creating a secular security, an economic security to replace the spiritual one we had lost.
Now in the old testament God repented making man because we were so screwed up and he was merciful, however our ancestors continued to be disobedient so God created blessings and curses, generational blessings and generational curses. If you don't listen to your parents don't they reprimand you. How many chances are you suppose to be given he winced his eyes too many times to their disobedience, so they suffered the wrath of God.
People want the Glory when it all belongs to God.

Answer 6

I don't view scientist as the enemy. I agree that Dawkins goes out of his way to be as offensive as possible.

Evolution is NOT science. I get annoyed when scientists comment on the origins of life, as if that were a subject that could be studied scientifically,

I scientist might expound on his taste in music, but his choice of music would not be any more scientific than anyone elses. Or, his preference for Italian food.

As long as scientists stick to subjects that are amenable to the Scientific Method, there is no reason that Christians should view them as the enemy.

Answer 7

Science can't help but dismantle religion.

It deals with reality, and the more we know about reality the further religion has to retreat.

Just a few centuries ago, people still bought into the Biblical nonsense that there were cities made of gold just above the clouds.

Does anyone buy that one anymore?

Answer 8

Religion tends to claim all answers outside of CURRENT science. So, when new scientific discoveries are made, religion objects, because this contradicts their existing answer.

This has ALWAYS been the case, and is why scientists who claimed the earth was NOT the center of the universe were excommunicated centuries ago.

Answer 9

Actually modern science is getting to be quite a friend of the Bible. Archeology has also been quite a success story. As science becomes more advanced, they seem to be coming to the same truth as the Bible had in the first place.

Answer 10

science is not the only way to search for truth, philosophy and theology are other methods in which man asks questions to find answers. faith doesn't contradict reason, but goes beyond reason, into the transcendent world of God and the spiritual realm, which human ingenuity knows exists but can't be found in the physical world.