Matthew+Schueler+RP+Post+1

Presentation of Research Findings I will write an extended definition paper of the subject of the impact of science and religion on the course of human history. Using this approach I will take a topic that has an enormous time-span and put it into a more manageable form. This type would allow me to assess the many different aspects of this topic on numerous civilizations over the course of history, from ancient times all the way to today.

The Pursuit of New Knowledge How have religious beliefs and scientific pursuits influenced the course of human history? What are the impacts of the various religious belief systems and scientific developments on humanity? How have religion and science changed our society throughout the ages?

Background and Early Knowledge
 * Religion is likely what caused people to stop becoming nomadic as they build temples to their gods
 * Religion has been around for thousands of years
 * People have gone to war with each other over religious differences and "holy lands"
 * A number of early scientists were religious and wanted to use science to prove their beliefs true
 * Science and religion are seen by some as incompatible, but by many others as two sides of the same coin
 * Science has created modern society as we know it - electricity, automobiles, wireless communication, the internet, etc
 * Many scientific theories that conflict with religious teaching are held by many denominations as true today - very different than what might have happened in the past

The Rationale This issue is something that I often think about during various parts of my day, particularly when i read or discuss current events. As an atheist myself, I am usually very critical of religion's place in modern society. I do acknowledge however, that religion had times where it was very important, I just feel that those times are past. I would like to analyze the impact of these two concepts on the various stages of societal development, from the very beginnings of our civilizations to the globalized super-culture that we know today. I especially want to know if my criticisms of modern religious practices are well-founded, or if I am just as misinformed as I see those who dismiss scientific evidence. It is for this reason that I am personally invested in researching this topic and will try to research and analyze it to the best of my ability. I see this paper essentially following a chronological order of human development from as far back as possible to today, examining both religion and science (as applicable) side-by-side along the way. A potential pitfall I can see is if my personal beliefs and opinions get in the way of making this as unbiased as possible. While I do have my own beliefs, I want to consider all viewpoints from an unbiased point-of-view whenever possible.