Science and spirituality : the volatile connection.

Abstract

The relationship of science and religion in the long nineteenth century (1789-1914) is very complex. Natural theology remained an effective way of popularising science, and even the agnostics who by the 1870s were very prominent used Biblical metaphor and language. The revolution in physics in the early twentieth century suddenly provided fresh evidence that science like religion rested upon beliefs. This approach therefore offers a good route into the 'age of science'.