Was there science before the bible?

[Charles]

Since we seem to be on a religion and science kick, it it only fair to ask if there was science in cultures that predate the Christian Bible or the Pentateuch.

I think that the Chinese and Sumerians likely were involved in some scientific endeavors, even if they didn't call them such.

Was religion itself a type of scientific endeavor, in that it attempted to explain phenomena, and was subject to peer reviewed revision as more knowledge was made available?

[garyd]

It is difficult to peer review a miracle which is generally a one time event and therefore untestable by the scientific method. However there has always been science and engineering. Though those names in all likelihod haven't always existed.

[Misteria]

The bible is a fairytale written by man for his convenience tmho.

[garyd]

Sorry no the Old Testament at the very least is full of important historical information. Most of the cities in it have now been located, and the Bible gives important incites into the behavior of their inhabitants and the cultures of that time.

[Misteria]

Sorry no the Old Testament at the very least is full of important historical information. Most of the cities in it have now been located, and the Bible gives important incites into the behavior of their inhabitants and the cultures of that time.

Of this I too find interesting for historical purposes.

[Šñøü†ê®]

They located the cities in Greek mythology and every form of mythology pretty much. THAT is because it was written by dudes whose imagination only went so far. :shrug: The Old Testament mainly discussed mythical tribes who slaughtered people after cutting off their own foreskin as part of the contract with Yahweh. Such bullshit has proven to discourage scientific thought!

[Malcolm Wright]

Nice thread.
The answer is yes.

A scientific knowledge of the precession of the equinoxes dates back to before the birth of Jeebus.
And according to certain theories with support from respectable quarters - WAY before the birth of Jeebus.

M.

[Ratbag]

if you consider the mathimatical sciences required to build such structures as pyramids and temples and the practical application of lever and pulley systems to build temples and.... heck... what's your definition of science? lets start with the wheel? no... creation of fire? no.... observation of day and night??

[Ratbag]

How do we define science? According to Webster's New Collegiate Dictionary, the definition of science is "knowledge attained through study or practice," or "knowledge covering general truths of the operation of general laws, esp. as obtained and tested through scientific method [and] concerned with the physical world."
So basically Science is looking at stuff.... that's what I thought, so ummm people have been doing it a while.....

[Šñøü†ê®]

if you consider the mathimatical sciences required to build such structures as pyramids...

Some of that Ancient Egypt stuff like the Sphinx is a lot older than most folks think. MUCH older than the time frame of the stupid myths that the writers of the Bible stole from various tribes in the middle east. The beauty of science is that logic and rational thought uncovers how the Old Testament was made. It is remarkably simple. Also amazing is how RETARDED millions of people have been for generations in regards to the nonsense of the Bible.

[Judy]

No. The Bible is the only science. It can comfort and even heal people's wounded hearts and let them forget the injustices of the world and continue working to feed those corrupt officials. Those people who have been fooled by science would die in peace and be incinerated. Their offsprings will continue with their lives under the blessing of the Bible without a word of complain. Such a harmonious society.

[garyd]

I'm a Christian and I wouldn't even go that far. The Bible is a Book about the preparation of Salvation for all mankind and about justice and mercy, however it is not and should not be construed as a science text.

[Archaix]

If you define 'science' as a philosophy based on reasoning, attempted objectivity and evidence-based deduction, that's only been around since the Enlightenment. But that didn't spring out of nothing -people had been making things and questioning the nature of the world for almost all of humanity's existence.

[Judy]

I prefer to talk about Enlightenment than the Bible, since from the Age of Enlightenment, Europeans began to question their authorities and traditional dogma. The knowledge system began to break away from religion from then on.

[jwreck]

Science was born the moment the first human asked the first question.

[Capricorn]

Science existed at t-0 of Big Bang.

[Cd.]

The Hindu science of Ayervedic Medicine is at least 4000 years old.