Matthew+Schueler+RP+Post+5

My progress so far... After much consideration, I have determined how I am going to lay out my paper. I will start by outlining and defining science, its various fields and types, and essentially give a general overview of this side of my paper. Next I will move on to defining religion and outlining its many different sects and beliefs, from modern day religions to ancient belief systems. I will end this section of my paper with a general comparing and contrasting of religious and scientific beliefs and viewpoints. This will include their respective views of each other, and a general sense of how their beliefs and views are in concord and discord. Next I plan to do a chronological view of religious and scientific development throughout human history and prehistory. A quick note that all years listed are approximate as of this point. I will start with the prehistorical period, then move into the "Ancient era" (3500BCE-500CE) with the invention of writing in Mesopotamia. After that lengthy period I will move into the "Medieval era" (500-1500CE) and into the "Modern era" (1500CE-Present). Within the modern era, I fell it is necessary to split this up into segments, as it is our most recent history. First there is the "Early Modern era" (1500-1750CE) covering the voyages of Columbus, the colonization of the Americas and the invention of the printing press, beginning the trek into a global civilization. Next there is the aptly named "Revolutionary era" covering the various revolutions that occur around the world and up until World War I. I think that World War I is a good place to end this era and begin the next because it is so radically different from any other war before it. There existed modern technology and weaponry, and the world was greatly changed because of this conflict. You would think that this is simply an arbitrarily-defined year to split up time, but in fact it is not. During and after World War I the world was radically changed after this war, and it must be examined differently. The "Contemporary era" (1914CE-Present) covers everything from World War I up until today. I think that the hundred-year span of this era is a good choice because it covers essentially everything still in living memory as well as a little before for most people. This era is very different from any time before it. A vast global civilization, modern technologies - medicines, machines, automobiles, and many other things all define this current period of human existence and must be evaluated differently than other times. In all of these eras, there is some clear distinction that makes sense to split time there, such as the invention of the printing press, the first "world war," or the invention of writing.

To begin with the discussion of the content itself... Science and religion are not always very clear in their definitions. According to the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, "The first thing to say, here, is that it is exceedingly difficult to characterize these phenomena." Is science the pursuit of truth? Is it the gaining or truth? What constitutes something to be a religious belief? What differentiates one sect or branch of religion from another? Why do these belief systems differ? These are all questions I aim to answer in the first section of my paper. And although I grant that the exact definitions and aims of each is not set in stone, I still would maintain that science deals with the objective and religion with the subjective. Science is grounded more in reality, fact, and observation, while religion is grounded more in personal experience and thinking. It is also important to note how modern culture relating to both of these developed. As the prominent figure MLK Jr. put it, "The Greco-Roman world in which the early church developed was one of diverse religions. The conditions of that era made it possible for these religions to sweep like a tidal wave over the ancient world. The people of that age were eager and zealous in their search for religious experience. The existence of this atmosphere was vitally important in the development and eventual triumph of Christianity." There is a very complex way that modern religion developed from ancient times. With science, the development potentially starts much earlier. Since our creation, regardless of you believe in evolution or creationism, I am sure most people can agree that we have used tools to help better our lives and make them easier. These simple tools are the first example of scientific development in human history. Both scientific/technological and religious development have shaped our history and culture from the beginning.