Evolution is the primary example of the conflict thesis between religion and science. But The Clergy Letter Project has over 15,500 (as of August 2021) signatures of clergy on a statement that suggests “evolutionary theory [is] a core component of human knowledge, fully harmonious with religious faith.”
What do scientists actually think about religion? And what do religious people actually think about science? The stereotypical answers to these questions will come up short once you’ve looked at sociologist Elaine Howard Ecklund’s books.
You have heard of the White and Draper “conflict thesis” about the historical relationship between religion and science, right? It is a myth historians have debunked, but recent scholarship suggests that in debunking it they have missed some fascinating complexity.
Does history show a conflict between religion and science? According to Peter Harrison, a careful study of history finds a very different narrative.
Philosopher Alvin Plantinga’s 2011 book, Where the Conflict Really Lies, makes a case for the reasonableness of religious belief. As the publisher summary says, “The theme of this short book is that the conflict between science and theistic religion is actually superficial, and that at a deeper level they are in concord.”