Reply #40: I'm well aware that Nietzsche didn't like Xianity. [View All]

[stopbush]

I'm one of those who has suffered through reading his Also sprach Zarathustra. :evilgrin:

Where I'm disagreeing with Nietzsche is his implying that without the church, scientific progress would not have been made. I'm simply pointing out that scientific progress has been made throughout history without the input or encouragement of any religion. Indeed, if one is going to tout religion as a catalyst for scientific discovery then one must also recognize that religion has held back scientific advancement just as much if not more (cue the Dark Ages).

My argument is that religious belief at its core is not forward looking because it is based on fantasy and lies. Being based on lies, religion is always in a position of being challenged by reality. Religion has always had and continues to have an adversarial relationship with science. How could it be otherwise? One is fact based, one is fantasy based.

I disagree with Nietzsche that religion somehow was THE inspiration for scientific advancement. Religion was marginally involved, of course, but only because it was the power structure that was emergent at the time. Scientific advancement would have happened were Xianity not around, just as it has happened in non-Xian societies throughout history. Science advanced in large part spite of Xianity, not due to it.

BTW - Merry Christmas!