Church History Matters 185 - Can Science and Religion Coexist? | Church History Matters I Science & Religion Series
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Dec 30, 2025 Casey and Scott dive into the intriguing relationship between science and religion, specifically through Latter-day Saint theology. They tackle the perceived conflict, contrasting figures like Richard Dawkins with more harmonious perspectives. Galileo's historical clash with the Catholic Church highlights past tensions. The hosts showcase how LDS leaders view science and faith as complementary. They discuss embracing all truth and the agnostic nature of science. Ultimately, they argue for the right tools: science for the how and religion for the why.
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Galileo's Conflict With The Church
- Scott recounts the Galileo episode where the Catholic Church prosecuted Galileo for heliocentrism, banned his book, and placed him under house arrest.
- He uses this classic clash as an example of genuine historical conflict between religion and science.
Restoration Came After The Enlightenment
- The Restoration occurred after the Enlightenment, so Latter-day Saint origins lacked much pre-Enlightenment baggage with science.
- That timing let Joseph Smith and early leaders engage science without inheriting medieval church conflicts.
Embrace All Truth As Religious Duty
- Latter-day Saint theology explicitly encourages embracing 'all truth' including scientific discoveries when clearly demonstrated.
- Leaders like Joseph Smith and Brigham Young framed secular learning as part of religious duty.
