In which ways has science challenged religious beliefs? There are hundreds of disputes since the end of the 16th century in which scientists and theologians have taught opposing beliefs.

The creation story also has another flaw, Birds were said to have been created before other land animals. Paleontologists however who almost fully support the theory of evolution point out that the fossil record shows the opposite order. Creation scientists discount this belief as most would regard the rock layers containing the fossil record as having being laid down during the Great Flood thus the fossils do not represent the evolution of the species of animals and birds. Though science is challenging these religious beliefs, religious followers have adapted or argued against these challenges that science has developed.

The most controversial debate over the creation story relates to its time span. Genesis explains how creation of Earths life forms, the earth itself and the rest of the universe took six days. Supporters of the theory of evolution find evidence for a universe that has been evolving for about 14 billion years. The theory of evolution is the science belief of how the universe was created and how we have developed. Charles Darwin famously put this idea forward though he drew on the works of Thomas Malthus and Spencer. He proposed a theory of the survival of the fittest; he called the principle by which species develop natural selection. The fittest, healthiest members of the species survive, and their characteristics become a part of the character of the species. Organisms produce more offspring than can survive, there are variations between these individual offspring, they are not all alike. Some of these variations turn out to be favorable as the organism struggles to survive in its particular environment. These offspring therefore survive better than their siblings who do not have the variation. These successful variants are more attractive to potential mates, and the variation becomes an established characteristic of the species. The offspring with the variation therefore are more successful and produce more offspring themselves. Meanwhile the less successful offspring dwindle in number and eventually die out. Darwin saw this process as gradual and ongoing. It explains the variations within a species and also the apparently close relationship between different species. This is one of the biggest challenges that science has to offer against religious beliefs.

The Scientific revolution also challenges the religious belief of creation. According to the bible and the story of creation in Genesis God is pictured as a hands on power for the construction the planet and is directly involved in Creation. Ptolemy who was an astronomer influenced the Christian view of the planets. His writings provided Christianity with a scientific basis for the Biblical claims for a universe with the earth at its center. He modified Aristotle's view of the universe by introducing epicycles to explain why planets move backwards in the sky and this view of the earth being at the center and other planets orbiting earth was held in the scientific community for over a millennium. However Galileo Galilei changed this view, which effected the religious beliefs. His astronomical work led him to propose that the sun was the fixed body at the centre of motion and that the earth orbited the sun along with all the other planets. This affected religious followers as they believed they were extremely important in the eyes of God and as they were not the centre of the universe, they believed they were they felt less close and connected with God.

Another way in which science challenges religious beliefs is evidence. Science is ultimately based on observation of nature. Scientists assume that things happen because of natural causes. Some scientists do not believe in the existence of one or more Gods or Goddesses. Others personally believe that one or more deities exist but assume that he/it/they do not interfere with nature. Arguments among scientists exist at the frontiers of each area of science, where new discoveries are being interpreted and hotly debated. The debates are eventually settled by evidence, debates, dialogue and consultation. However, on the other hand, religion is largely based on faith. Over 270 large religious groups in the world and thousands of smaller ones. They hold diverse and often conflicting beliefs concerning deity, humanity and the rest of the world. Many consider that their own faith is the only completely true one and they believe that the consensus of scientists and the beliefs of all other religions are at least partly false. Science challenges religious beliefs because it has evidence on its side whereas religion is on faith and religions conflict with other religions, which weakens their argument and adds weight to science beliefs. These are just some of the many arguments that science has that challenges religious beliefs.