A number of categories have been proposed for classifying diverse views of how science and religion can be related to each other. John Haught has suggested the categories of Conflict, Contrast, Contact, and Confirmation. A more detailed eightfold classification has been offered by Ted Peters. This article uses a fourfold typology proposed by Ian Barbour: Conflict, Independence, Dialogue, and Integration.

Conflict

The trial of the Italian astronomer Galileo Galilei in 1633 is often cited as the first prominent example of the conflict of religion with modern science. However, several factors in this trial were not typical of conflicts in subsequent centuries. Galileo challenged the respected authority of Aristotle who had held that the sun and planets revolve in orbits around the earth. Galileo also challenged the authority of the Catholic church at a time...