I'm writing about the history of the church and it's effect on society.
I'm looking for examples of where the church has held back science.
Examples I have include:
In 415 AD the Alexandria Library was burned to the ground by catholic monks.
During the black plague, religious leaders discouraged experimental scientific investigation.
In 1215 Pope Innocent III declared that all surgical procedures were prohibited by Church law.
Please share any more examples that you know of. Thanks!
2007-10-29 06:51:49 · 11 answers · asked by DanCorb 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Galileo was censured by the church. The Spanish monks destroyed all of the scientific information in Central and South America when they got there.
2007-10-29 06:56:03 · answer #1 · answered by bocasbeachbum 6 · 6⤊ 1⤋
the church made few strides in the advancement of anything except slavery and in dumbing-down the human race. Any advancements made were accidental and that was when the church seized someone's work and gave credit for it to the church. That is the only way scientific research went anywhere. The period of history when the church ruled the world wasn't called the Dark Ages for nothing.
2007-10-29 14:01:51 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
Science would not exist without religion. In the beginning they were actually one in the same for thousands of years. As science became more advanced and in my opinion, religion became less advanced, there was a split because science was telling us things about our universe that religious teachings disputed. And that is why if you research the middle ages or the dark ages you can find so many examples of scientific thought or discoveries being discouraged due to those in power not wanting to relinquish it.
2007-10-29 14:33:42 · answer #3 · answered by Diagoras 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
No one really knows what happened to the Library. It is a widely held belief that Julius Caesar was to blame, but even so, that is inconclusive.
http://www.bede.org.uk/library.htm
During the plague, the Christians were ministering alongside doctors ...it was a very bad thing. (St Catharine of Sienna)
As for the other things like surgical procedures, which were DONE WITHOUT ANESTHETIC!!!!, I don't blame them.
2007-10-29 14:22:48 · answer #4 · answered by Shinigami 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Dude, for every time the church held back science they promoted it. It wouldnt exist without the church's support or the support of a government. (the laws of economics tells us this.)
and dont be a DUMB@%%. If you want to point the finger point it at the idealogy that caused these reactions to science. Not an umbrealla term.
That is unscientific. Blaming all of religion for what one faction did. That is the same thing as blaming athiests for Stalin and communism and saying "ALL atheists are commies!"
2007-10-29 13:58:53 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 5⤋
Not to mention hundreds of be-headings and burnings at the stake for scientists who questioned using science.
2007-10-29 13:56:26 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
Do you not realize that Catholic monks were responsible for providing education in the West? All of the great intellectuals and scientists such as Galileo were educated at monasteries. You should also understand that all of the great Western universities such as Oxford were started by Catholic monks. If it weren't for the church we wouldn't have science, and culture, and classical music, and all of the other things our universities provide. Wake up.
2007-10-29 14:01:08 · answer #7 · answered by morkie 4 · 0⤊ 5⤋
Galileo, and the persecution he suffered. Here's a star for you, and your combat against religion.
2007-10-29 13:55:55 · answer #8 · answered by STAR POWER=) 4 · 6⤊ 0⤋
the church's 'missionary' work with the Central American tribes, Inca, Aztec, Maya...
2007-10-29 13:56:06 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 0⤋
Galileo.
2007-10-29 13:55:02 · answer #10 · answered by Zombie 7 · 7⤊ 1⤋