Complex sentence: Contrasting with the view among academics, the idea of an intrinsic historical conflict between religion and science remains popular among the general public and some scientists and clerics, some examples are the creation--evolution controversy, stem cell controversy, and birth control.
Split into simpler sentences: Contrasting with the view among academics, the idea of an intrinsic historical conflict between religion and science remains popular not only among the general public, but within the scientific and religious communities as well. Examples include the creation--evolution controversy, stem cell controversy and controversies over the use of birth control.