The Relations of Science and Religion: The Morse Lecture, 1880Calderwood, Henry
Religion
The Relations of Science and Religion: The Morse Lecture, 1880
Calderwood, Henry
Religion and science
One other fact deserves to be recorded and placed in companionship with
that just stated, that some of the alleged conflicts between science and
religion are delusively so described, on account of misunderstanding or
misrepresentation of religion. They are fictitious articles, requiring
to be properly branded, and quietly laid aside. A single illustration
may suffice, taken from Dr. Draper's _History of the Conflict between
Religion and Science_, which is easily accessible, and reasonably claims
some attention in connection with the present subject. The criticism
here offered is not meant to carry a general condemnation of the book.
This work includes a vast deal more than it's title suggests; in the
midst of much that is extraneous, there is not a little of valuable
historical matter written in a clear and attractive style. The book is,
however, in many parts misleading, often by its style suggesting that
the author has allowed himself to be carried away in his eagerness to
make out serious conflict. The plan of the book is hardly compatible
with fairness. This may be illustrated by reference to the grounds for
selecting illustrations of Christianity. Our author says, "In speaking
of Christianity reference is generally made to the Roman Church, partly
because its adherents compose the majority of Christendom, partly
because its demands are the most pretentious, and partly because it has
commonly sought to enforce those demands by the civil power."[O] In view
of these explanations, it may be in a sense satisfactory, as suggesting
more harmony between science and religion than the general tenor of the
book conveys, that Professor Draper has "had little to say" respecting
the Protestant and Greek Churches. But the reasons for making the Roman
division of the Church representative of the whole are far from
satisfactory. It is as if one were bent on fighting, but determined
always to select the weakest antagonist to be found. Nor is the case
improved by the defence offered. Dr. Draper says, "In thus treating the
subject, it has not been necessary to pay much regard to more moderate
or intermediate opinions, for, though they may be intrinsically of great
value, in conflicts of this kind it is not with the moderates, but with
the extremists, that the impartial reader is mainly concerned. Their
movements determine the issue."[P] This is, I think, an unwise
conclusion. Extremists may determine the erratic deflections of a
movement; they do not decide its issues. They discover the heat, rather
than the thought, involved in intellectual conflict. They contribute to
vortex movement, rather than onward.
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