GEOLOGY AND RELIGION: CAN A HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE IMPROVE PUBLIC UNDERSTANDING?

Any geologist who writes about the early history of our science must inevitably address the contentious issue of the relationship between science and religion. Tying the stories of past scientists to current events, such as the creationism versus evolution controversy, can help generate interest in geology and its impact on society, but uncritically extrapolating modern controversies back into earlier periods can be misleading and historically inaccurate. Much of the textbook version of the history of geology was rejected years ago by professional historians. Religion was less repressive and science less iconoclastic than usually depicted. The role of the Bible in motivating versus retarding geologic inquiry took some counterintuitive (for a 21st century geologist, anyway) twists. The story is complex and easily misconstrued as an attempt to harmonize science and traditional religion. The good news is that there is more to history of geology and religion than the question of whether Genesis and the rock record agree. This means more stories to share with the public that may spark their interest in learning more about geology. My experience in writing about Nicolaus Steno, pioneering geologist and beatified Catholic saint, has been that readers respond well to nuanced rather than simplistic accounts of the interplay between science and religion. (My hate mail has been minimal, if that's a useful measure.) Committed creationists are unlikely to be persuaded by any words written by any human author, but for the rest of the public broadening the historical context of the current controversy provides a welcome perspective.