Time Traveling With Science and the Saints

by George A. Erickson

Using the biblical dictum, "by their fruits shall ye know them" (Mt. 7:20), humanist George Erickson surveys the historical record of the defenders of faith and the proponents of reason. His analysis challenges the commonly held belief that despite its many abuses religion on balance civilized the world. Beginning with the unfettered progress of science in pre-Christian, polytheistic societies, he notes that this progress was soon actively thwarted by the growing Christian throng. Aided by the carrot-and-stick appeal of heaven and hell, missionary passion, superstitions, and miracles, Christianity gradually overwhelmed its religious competitors while simultaneously working to destroy all interest in scientific reasoning.

Yet even amidst these suffocating, often bloody conditions, certain individuals doggedly pursued new and dangerous, frequently heretical scientific research, sometimes at the risk of their lives. Erickson briefly profiles such pioneers as Giordano Bruno, Copernicus, Galileo, Darwin, Linnaeus, and others.

While condemning the Christianity that produced such abominations as the Inquisition and witch hunts, Erickson concludes on an optimistic note, emphasizing that science and secular society have broken free from centuries of religious opposition, and continue to benefit the world through mass education, modern medicine, and technological progress.

Genres: Religion

180 pages, Hardcover

First published December 1, 2002

Reviews

[Brett · Rating 1 out of 5]

Appalling Scholarship.

Let me begin by mentioning that I have degrees in philosophy and history (with a focus on history of science). What is unfortunate about Erickson's book is that a well meaning idea of documenting the negative aspects of the church (of which there are many), is over shadowed by a complete lack of scholarship (You know you're in trouble when one of the books the author uses as one of his primary resources is a book of quotations!).

The book also continues to propagate ideas that are just plain false. Consider the idea that people of the middle ages believed the earth was flat. Anyone who has taken a university course in the History of Science, or Medieval History will have this illusion dispelled almost immediately (by reading modern scholarship and the original primary source material -- both things that Erickson does not do). Throughout the book he appears to quote someone, yet, when you look into his notes to discover where he got his information, you discover that (when it is not from George Seldes book of quotations), it is a secondary source, and many of these are from other atheist-friendly books.

Erickson states at the beginning of the book that he is attempting to counter other pro-Christian books, which is admirable and needed. Unfortunately, he falls into the same trap that he accuses many of his opponents of: a highly biased viewpoint using only sources that back up his view. And in Erickson's case, this is compounded by poor scholarship and an absence of primary source material.

If you are looking for a history of the relationship between science and the church, please look elsewhere. Indeed, may I suggest the book Galileo Goes to Jail and Other Myths about Science and Religion This book has chapters written by scholars (who are both believers and unbelievers) working together to provide the reader with a short, clear, and concise understanding of what the relationship between science and religion has been.

[Nick · Rating 2 out of 5]

A lot of good information but not very well written. No real timeline and a vague subject line in continuance. Book finishes strong (Awarding the 2nd star) but for the most part it is like a smattering of points. Reads kind of like an extended rough draft which has not been fully organized.

[Bruce · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author starts the work explaining in the preface it is a result of going to a lecture where the speaker minimized the Roman Catholic Church's treatment of Galileo, essentially blaming the victim for his treatment This raised the question of which has benefited the people more, religion or science. The short, easy-reading book follows a time line, to provide synopses of scientists and their treatment by Religious authorities. In many cases the tormentors of scientists are raised to sainthood. Though I would recommend this book to religious individuals it is unlikely they would read it or realize that religion is still waging war against science.
I read this work originally in Jan. 2010, now 11 years later, I have re-read it. When he quotes Alfred North Whitehead - "In the year 1500, Europe knew less than Archimedes who died in 212 B.C." he is pointing out that the adoption of one patriarchal God stiffled advancement in science and education. Throughout Western history the 'church' had tired to keep the mass ignorant and that is even in this modern age with Evangelicals and other religious fanatics jumping on the anti-vax, anti-mask band wagon and trying to take money from public education and give it to their indoctrination centers. Again, it is unfortunate we can't require the reading of this short work in Congress and the judicial branch.

[Rhonda · Rating 5 out of 5]

You'd have to watch a whole LOT of History Channel and Science Channel to get all of the information in this short book.