Religion and Science: The Reality of Compatibility and Illusion of Conflict

Abstract

In Aristotle's hierarchy "man" was placed in a position far above all biological life. Nothing to date has been successful in removing him from this lofty perch just below angels. This stubborn worldview has long been at odds with science. However, many of the classical scientists maintained a healthy relationship with religion. Like the classical scientists, it is proposed here that no real conflict exists between religion and science only "noise" distracting most scholars from the reality of an actual compatibility. Furthermore, an alliance between these two epistemological worldviews is a potent force against the ignorance of religious fundamentalism.