The main exponent of this view is the philosopher of religion John Hick . Before the scientific enterprise people had a more superstitious view of the world. Heaven was believed to exist above the clouds, earth lay in the middle and hell was just beneath the crust of the earth. Because they believed life in all its fullness was dependent on the gods, people were concerned to keep them happy. Now we know that the earth moves round the sun, rain is caused by precipitation and crops grow in the right conditions.
Science seems to have eroded the place where the gods once dwelt.
Lay like the folds of a vast girdle furl'd. Before answering this we need to realise that science and religion are asking and answering two different sets of questions. However, whereas in the past the science and religion were seen as divided now many are attempting a reconciliation between them. The Alister Hardy Research Centre conducts research into contemporary religious experience. Out of these some do not want to call this an experience of God whilst others do.