Science over Religion

Definition

This term refers to the preference or prioritization of scientific understanding and empirical evidence over religious beliefs or dogma. In US history, this has often been a point of contention between different societal groups.

Analogy

Imagine you're baking a cake. You have an old family recipe (religion) that's been passed down for generations, but you also have a new recipe (science) that's been tested and proven to make a delicious cake every time. Choosing science over religion is like choosing to use the new recipe because it has measurable results.

Related terms

Enlightenment: A philosophical movement in 18th century Europe that emphasized reason and individualism rather than tradition; heavily influenced American thinking towards science.

Scopes Trial: A famous legal case in 1925 where high school teacher John Scopes was accused of violating Tennessee's Butler Act which made it unlawful to teach human evolution in any state-funded school.

Secularism: The principle of separation between government institutions and religious institutions.