SCIENTISTS & RELIGION - Isaac Newton

Later in the 1670’s, Newton became very interested in theology.  


He studied Hebrew scholarship and ancient and modern theologians at great length, and became convinced that Christianity had departed from the original teachings of Christ.  


He felt unable to accept the current beliefs of the Church of England, which was unfortunate because he was required as a Fellow of Trinity College to take holy orders.  


Happily, the Church of England was more flexible than Galileo had found the Catholic Church in these matters, and King Charles II issued a royal decree excusing Newton from the necessity of taking holy orders! 


Actually, to prevent this being a wide precedent, the decree specified that, in perpetuity, the Lucasian professor need not take holy orders.  


(The current Lucasian professor is Stephen Hawking.) 


Ref:  http://galileoandeinstein.physics.virginia.edu/lectures/newton.html