Why are right-wing conservatives pro-science?

We must acknowledge the fact that we acquired a substantial portion of our knowledge concerning the emergence of modern Europe through student sensitivity. The majority lived their post-student life without questioning this sensitivity. The views and knowledge we acquired through student sensitivity shaped our ideas. We needed to go a step beyond this. We could have established the West as a research field. Perhaps then it would have been possible to talk about Occidentalism. We can see from the discussion topics reignited today that their student life is not left in the past. The conflict between science and religion is one of these. As known, the conflict between religion and science was inherited from the enlightenment era, and Türkiye is re-implementing the views to which it gave rise. One of the most important characteristics of this era is that right-wing conservatives were central to the process.

Of course, right-wing conservatives taking a central position in the conflict between religion and science cannot be explained through the current developments. Though it was not emphasized much, there were more than enough similar examples in the past. The pro-science sentiment can clearly be seen in numerous past magazines and various books that were published in the name of religion. Those who institutionalized based on religion and supported science had progressed to a quite advanced stage. After all, science had become the reason for the existence of certain religious groups. Surely these had political outcomes. Can we explain the political position taken by the relevant individuals and groups based on the views they adopted in the past? It is impossible to answer no to this question.

To put it more clearly, the individuals and groups who view religion in the light of science are in no different position today than in the past. For example, those who tried in the past to see nature's miracles through science are now cutting ties with the region based on science. This is the result of these people and groups’ presence in the political arena. They did not hesitate to make a political preference, and the views they adopted in the past legitimized their new identities. It was not that difficult to ideologically agree with logic and science. The result of the process continuing in this way is much more serious than thought. The rate of change from now on will not only be startling, but also critical in terms of political outcomes. However, political results should not be limited to Türkiye.

As mentioned previously, conflict between religion and science originated in the enlightenment period. Following the enlightenment era, West European countries’ rise was also explained through the conflict between religion and science. These countries achieving a central position in international relations was presented as the result of scientific developments. The colonialist and imperialist expansion, which peaked in the 19th century, was also presented as the result of scientific developments. This paved the way for West European countries to assume responsibility for spreading civilization. The advancement of these countries was an inevitable fate of history, and therefore, it should not be prevented. Yet, we cannot overlook the fact that Protestantism was an important factor in the rise of West European countries. In fact, some considered this process as a continuation of the war between Catholics and Protestants. The conflict between science and religion can be considered, in a sense, as a reflection of the ethnic and religious controversy within Europe as well. As a matter of fact, those who go a little further, and claim it reflects the battle between Rome and the Barbarians, are not very wrong either. Pagan elements becoming increasingly stronger is significant in this respect.

Then, within which scales should the world’s great chaos today, or search for positioning before the clash be explained? Many individuals and groups in Türkiye, primarily right-wing conservatives, are re-introducing the conflict between religion and science concept. The underlying reasons were not clearly stated, however, the earthquake disaster was included in this concept as well. The U.S. and U.K.’s war against Russia was also presented in the West as a part of the same disintegration. The emphasis on the differences between political systems serves no purpose other than strengthening the same conflict anyway. Hence, it can be said that this further expands to include regions. In this sense, Russian President Vladimir Putin’s quote from the Bible, “Forgive them thy Lord, for they know not what they do,” is not in vain. He too is establishing the process on the foundation of religious opposition.

In order to understand modern Europe, we must first overcome the student sensitivity we adopted in the past. Europe must be a research field for us as well.