Does science lead people away from God? In at least one scientific discipline – cosmology – the answer is, no.
In the early 20th century, Albert Einstein developed his theory of general relativity in such a way that it required a static universe; that is, the universe was neither expanding nor contracting. However, a Roman Catholic priest named Georges Lemaître, found that Einstein’s theory could be formulated so that the universe was expanding; and that the universe began as a “primeval atom.” Shortly thereafter, the American astronomer, Edwin Hubble, used his state-of-the-art telescope to discover that distant galaxies were receding from the earth. This provided evidence for both the universe’s expansion and, by implication, its beginning.
In the mid-20th century, the atheist cosmologist, Sir Fred Hoyle, opposed this new view which, thanks to Hoyle, became known as the "Big Bang theory." In contrast to the Big Bang, Hoyle (who seemed at least partially motivated by his atheism) developed his own "steady state theory" which did not have a beginning. But over the next few decades evidence for the Big Bang theory continued to develop so that it is now the consensus view within the scientific community.
Robert Jastrow, who worked for many years as a NASA scientist, described this development as follows.
For the scientist who has lived by his faith in the power of reason, the story ends like a bad dream. He has scaled the mountains of ignorance; he is about to conquer the highest peak; as he pulls himself over the final rock, he is greeted by a band of theologians who have been sitting there for centuries.
Learn More
Short Blog: Origin of Life and Burden of Proof
Reference
Robert Jastrow, God and the Astronomers, 2nd ed (New York: Norton, 1992), 107.