Topic: Misconceptions on Science and the Catholic Church
Purpose: I wish to explain that there might not be as big of a divide between members of the catholic church and the scientific community.
Thesis: Although science and religion are often looked at as fundamentally contradictory, many Catholics are in fact high-functioning members of the scientific community. In addition, science and faith are quite similar in the goal of explaining our place in the universe.
Intro: Recognize that there is division at times, but there are often misconceptions as well. The divide is not absolute and many members of the church in the past, just as today, have beliefs of mixed faith and religion. Note that I do not identify with the church, so I am not giving this talk to justify the clear mistakes that have been made (Galileo). That being said, there is a general misconception that most members of the church reject any scientific ideas that contradict their faith. (slide 1, cross in front of the night sky drawing contrast between Catholicism and astronomy/science)
Main Idea I:
- Many use the hasty generalization logical fallacy to justify the statement that the whole of the Catholic church is against the scientific community.
- Due to the fact that several popes in the public spotlight have disagreed with evidence brought to the table by scientists many people believe that most members of the Catholic church during those times were against scientific discovery. (slide 2, images of the pope)
Main Idea II:
- There are many examples of catholic church officials coming up with, and being open to theories that might contradict literal interpretations of the bible.
- Copernicus was a church official. (slide 3, Copernicus wearing cross next to Copernicus with heliocentric model)
- The scientist to propose the big bang theory was catholic. His name was Lemaître and he was a Belgian priest. (slide 4, model of the big bang theory)
Main Idea III:
- Today, many groups affiliated with the Catholic church do not look at theories of evolution as contradictory to the Bible. (Slide 5, ?)
- Catholic schools
- Scientific research organizations made up of members of the Catholic Church
Conclusion: I believe both science and religion are about finding our place in the universe. So rather than causing divide by closing our minds to new ideas from either side, we should embrace the fact that we are all working toward the same goal.
References:
https://www.space.com/15684-nicolaus-copernicus.html
https://www.physicsoftheuniverse.com/scientists_lemaitre.html