Fear is unequivocally tied with any type of scientific progress; people who are subject to change often times can not see or comprehend the goal of the scientific progress. In a large majority of cases, scientific progress is often stifled due to common religious tendencies to reject information that contradicts beliefs written in doctrine and observed for many years. Furthermore, governments are often skeptical towards science, as going against religious communities –even in cases where science has an indisputable grounding –can greatly upset the public. Furthermore, according to Priestly, scientific progress will soon create disequilibrium amongst religious individuals. Scientific progress often times will overwhelm and cast a shadow on the very fundamentals of religion that conflict scientific development and growth (Johnson 148). Hence, Priestly’s belief to not simply following the church and the doctrines preached but to rather look to the fundamental ideas behind a religion and to follow those ideals over doctrines, portrayed his separation and distinction from the church (Johnson 172). Given the turmoil science clearly causes in these sects, governments are often wary of new technological developments.
Governments often times show disdain due to the social and political aspects of scientific progress, even now with progress in fields involving the genome, global warming and stem cell development (Johnson 229). All of these fields of research have numerous causes of conflict, and this creates separation, despite their fundamental connection to culture and society. Due to the diversity of beliefs on political, social and religious spectrums, politicians are then forced to combat scientific progress in an effort to keep their numbers up and their voters content. Thus, it is apparent that scientific progress is hindered due to a multitude of factors circulating religious and political fields.