....If by the autonomy of earthly realities we mean that created things and even societies have their own distinctive laws and values, which much be gradually identified, used and regulated by men, this kind of autonomy is rightly demanded. Not only is it insisted on by modern man, it is also in harmony with the design of the Creator. By the very fact of creation everything is provided with its own stability, its own truth and goodness, its own laws and orderly functioning. Man must respect these, acknowledging the methods proper to each science or art.
One should therefore deplore certain attitudes of mind which are sometimes found even among Christians because of a failure to recognize the legitimate autonomy of science.These mental attitudes have given rise to conflict and controversy and led many to assume that faith and science are mutually opposed.
If, on the other hand, the autonomy of the temporal order is understood to mean that created things do not depend on God, and that man may use them without reference to the Creator, all who believe in God will realize how false is this teaching. For creation without the Creator fades into nothingness.
Gaudium et Spes, nn. 36
Science is the study of a subject by means of the method required by the subject, not by means of some generally applicable method that undermines its specific character. (Romano Guardini)
So what within science gives it the right or ability to step outside the limits of any particular science and begin its study with a prejudice against the supernatural that posits the impossibility of God and creation by God?
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