A Christian world without science

Creationism, Evolution, and other science issues

Moderator: Moderators

User avatar
Cmass
Guru
Posts: 1746
Joined: Mon Sep 11, 2006 10:42 pm
Location: Issaquah, WA

A Christian world without science

Post #1

Post by Cmass »

What would the world look like if science had never developed?
One could assume we would still be wearing sack clothes and riding asses (so to speak) and chariots. No flight, no round earth, no solar system, no social or cultural science, no dentistry, no anthropology, no physics, just the same profound ignorance of the world.

Would the church have evolved in the same way it did? If not, in what ways might it be different?

User avatar
Confused
Site Supporter
Posts: 7308
Joined: Mon Aug 14, 2006 5:55 am
Location: Alaska

Re: A Christian world without science

Post #2

Post by Confused »

Cmass wrote:What would the world look like if science had never developed?
One could assume we would still be wearing sack clothes and riding asses (so to speak) and chariots. No flight, no round earth, no solar system, no social or cultural science, no dentistry, no anthropology, no physics, just the same profound ignorance of the world.

Would the church have evolved in the same way it did? If not, in what ways might it be different?
Does this include technology as well as science?
What we do for ourselves dies with us,
What we do for others and the world remains
and is immortal.

-Albert Pine
Never be bullied into silence.
Never allow yourself to be made a victim.
Accept no one persons definition of your life; define yourself.

-Harvey Fierstein

User avatar
Cmass
Guru
Posts: 1746
Joined: Mon Sep 11, 2006 10:42 pm
Location: Issaquah, WA

Post #3

Post by Cmass »

Does this include technology as well as science?
Good that you pointed this out.

Yes, because technology is very limited without science.

Most all modern technology you take for granted on a daily basis has it roots in hard science. I am a product designer and engineer by trade & this evening I have been researching specialty fabric and engineered adhesives. Both products exist due to advanced polymer chemistry.

Also, people "do science" all the time so what I am referring to is well organized, intentional science whereby dedicated scientists consciously use the scientific method as their working model.

User avatar
Chem
Apprentice
Posts: 136
Joined: Wed Apr 06, 2005 8:49 am
Location: Ireland

Post #4

Post by Chem »

What would the world look like if science had never developed?
One could assume we would still be wearing sack clothes and riding asses (so to speak) and chariots. No flight, no round earth, no solar system, no social or cultural science, no dentistry, no anthropology, no physics, just the same profound ignorance of the world.
Think of the Dark Ages in Europe and this would give an idea of what we would be faced with if science had not developed as it has (and most importantly, no chemistry!).

Religion of one form or another would probably be the arbiter of all in such a world.

BTW looking for any adhesive tapes/laminates? The company I work for supplies such materials worldwide :)
"I'd rather know than believe" Carl Sagan.

"The worst Government is the most moral. One composed of cynics is often very tolerant and humane. But when the fanatics are on top there is no limit to oppression." H.L. Mencken

User avatar
Cmass
Guru
Posts: 1746
Joined: Mon Sep 11, 2006 10:42 pm
Location: Issaquah, WA

Post #5

Post by Cmass »

(Ah, the New Zealanders and Irishmen meet the American insomniacs)
Think of the Dark Ages in Europe
This was my immediate thought - sort of a Monty Python-ish scene: "Bring out your dead! Bring your your dead!"

How would the church compare to what it is now?
Would people's relationship with God be any different?
Would they see God any differently?

User avatar
Chem
Apprentice
Posts: 136
Joined: Wed Apr 06, 2005 8:49 am
Location: Ireland

Post #6

Post by Chem »

This was my immediate thought - sort of a Monty Python-ish scene: "Bring out your dead! Bring your your dead!"

How would the church compare to what it is now?
Would people's relationship with God be any different?
Would they see God any differently?
With or without the coconut shells and how about that dastardly Black Knight- 'tiz but a flesh wound :lol: ?

It would certainly depend on the prevalent religion at the time as there is no way of knowing if monotheistic religions would be as prevalent.

Assuming that monotheistic religions would be the main types of religions then I would say that the Christian churches would be similar to the old Celtic church- monastic based with individual monks preaching and teaching throughout the countryside, Roman-type Catholism would not have as big an impact as it did.

Peoples belief and view of God would depend on how the preachers interpreted the writings etc. but fear of God and all the other attendant feelings would still be inherent. Unfortunately us humans are very prone to believe anything and everything especially without the knowledge and insight science gives us.
"I'd rather know than believe" Carl Sagan.

"The worst Government is the most moral. One composed of cynics is often very tolerant and humane. But when the fanatics are on top there is no limit to oppression." H.L. Mencken

User avatar
methylatedghosts
Sage
Posts: 516
Joined: Sun Oct 08, 2006 8:21 pm
Location: Dunedin, New Zealand

Post #7

Post by methylatedghosts »

Without science? Would we even be here? considering the chemistry required for life....

But yeah, I know what you mean. We wouldn't know whether the crown was actual gold or not (the classic "eureka").

But where does science actually begin in history? I mean, a log floats, we all know that. But was it science that led to hollowing out the log to make a boat or was it human curiosity?

There's alot more to think about that it looks like you're implying.....
Ye are Gods

User avatar
Cmass
Guru
Posts: 1746
Joined: Mon Sep 11, 2006 10:42 pm
Location: Issaquah, WA

Post #8

Post by Cmass »

But where does science actually begin in history?

This is a good question.
Anyone have a good answer?
I mean, a log floats, we all know that. But was it science that led to hollowing out the log to make a boat or was it human curiosity?
"A duck floats too. Therefore, if she weighs as much as a duck, she must be a witch!"
There's alot more to think about that it looks like you're implying.....
Absolutely. But I am looking for creative thinking.
Also, from my previous post:
People "do science" all the time so what I am referring to is well organized, intentional science whereby dedicated scientists consciously use the scientific method as their working model.

User avatar
Confused
Site Supporter
Posts: 7308
Joined: Mon Aug 14, 2006 5:55 am
Location: Alaska

Re: A Christian world without science

Post #9

Post by Confused »

Cmass wrote:What would the world look like if science had never developed?
One could assume we would still be wearing sack clothes and riding asses (so to speak) and chariots. No flight, no round earth, no solar system, no social or cultural science, no dentistry, no anthropology, no physics, just the same profound ignorance of the world.

Would the church have evolved in the same way it did? If not, in what ways might it be different?
I think that without science, regardless of technology, the world would have moved along a supernatural path but instead of a one god type church, it would be more along the pagan view, maybe mixed in with the magica views of things. I like to think of it more like Harry Potter meets Zeus type of world. we would likely still attribute events to magical interference because we wouldn't be able to rationalize it with science. Ie. Hurricane wipes out entire coast, Well, that coastal area just forced 22 people out who were murdering or stealing. Those 22 people said, I curse this area. Hurricane happens, those 22 men must have been wizards. I know, far fetched, but humorous if nothing else.
What we do for ourselves dies with us,
What we do for others and the world remains
and is immortal.

-Albert Pine
Never be bullied into silence.
Never allow yourself to be made a victim.
Accept no one persons definition of your life; define yourself.

-Harvey Fierstein

User avatar
methylatedghosts
Sage
Posts: 516
Joined: Sun Oct 08, 2006 8:21 pm
Location: Dunedin, New Zealand

Post #10

Post by methylatedghosts »

Cmass wrote:
But where does science actually begin in history?

This is a good question.
Anyone have a good answer?
Is it the first "scientist" - which would be after christianity started wouldn't it? Because I'm pretty sure Christianity started it off - at least for europe. Because it wasn't opposing anything the bible said. It only explored physical phenomena, and things like how the body is set out etc.

Or was it even before then - with the "eureka guy" (feeling REALLY stupid - I forget his name right now).

Or was it before then - farmers working out where to plant what crops for them to grow the best..... (hypothesis - That corn grows better here than there. Method. Plant corn everywhere. Result. It grew faster here, but had bigger cobs here etc)
Ye are Gods

Post Reply