What some people forget is that many of the Western world's original scientists were also quite religious. Science and religion weren't always considered mutally exclusive.
Professional scientists really did not appear until the 19th century. Before that what we call science was really a part of philosophy or religion. It was only with slow developement of technology in conjunction with the enlightment that science began to seperate itself from the religion and philosophy. Discordance began as soon as scientifically acquired knowledge began to conflict with the delivered truth of religion.
