From the fall of the Roman Empire to the dawn of the Renaissance, rigid ignorance covered Europe by design. Between 650 and 1100 A.D. on the not-so-distant Arabian Peninsula and its extensions, the Islamic World, science and knowledge were sought after and developed naturally. Understanding of both the natural world and of the higher world progressed in radically different manners in these two areas, and the dominant religious movements-Roman Catholicism and Islam, respectively-had everything to do with it. Truly, science and religion are not so far removed from one another as many believe. Real knowledge is neither of these in themselves, but clear understanding of truth and a solid, confident base of beliefs. With their individual dogmas and edicts, science and religion act in conjunction or in conflict with each other to advance or limit this knowledge. Medieval Europe permeated itself with stiff, hollow religion which in turn forcibly smothered any scientific inquiries. As a result, true knowledge was abandoned in favour of a sort of dutiful faith and blind fear. Of course, science and religion had nothing resembling a balance in that setting, yet balance eventually proves surprisingly irrelevant. No matter how prevalent one factor is over the other, it is ultimately the way they flow together or obstruct one another that contributes to the growth of inquiry and truth. Whether the Roman Catholics of the middle ages thought God was trying to trick them or simply had nothing but a synthetic faith, fabricated because they knew something was true but didn't actually believe it, they feared science. In particular, the authorities of the Church feared science, and taught the population to shun it. Because Roman Catholicism is so completely centred around communities-a "republic" religion in which people do not expect to communicate with or understand God by themselves, but rely on priests and the pope to intercede and interpret-the Roman Catholics of the middle ages did not, as a whole, feel it necessary to rise up in search of answers and direct communion with God. Science was stifled by religion and knowledge was never attained. It must be mentioned that pointing out such instances has become very popular in today's world. However, it cannot be denied that in a society where only science is valued and religion is done away with, genuine knowledge will prove just as elusive. As has been stated, it is not a balance of science and religion which fosters knowledge, but science and religion in whatever quantities nurturing one another. This harmonious state was found in the Islamic world, where everyday life and practise of religion were unified. Despite its typical intent, a total separation of church and state invariably cheapens one and elevates the other; the Muslims of this era had no such problems since the government and the religion were one and the same. Science was seen as a means to an end, not something that challenged or interfered with their faith and needed to be put down. The Muslims desired exact measurements and medical techniques, and instead of worrying about betraying their faith, they utilised whatever tools available in order to accomplish these goals. Islam, unlike Roman Catholicism, is highly personal and emphasises individual relationships and communication with God. Because Muslims didn't have doctrinal authorities or individual human "links" between Heaven and Earth to dispense the final word of God, they didn't worry about being burned or excommunicated for pursuing scientific knowledge. The idea that science and religion might disagree with or challenge one another never even seemed to occur to those in the Islamic world. Their blending of science and religion seems to have happened naturally. To belittle science and magnify organised religion or vice versa is a weak solution to an endless struggle for understanding. When clarity and a coherent system of beliefs are present, science and religion do not hinder one another or cause people to stumble and doubt; if they unite smoothly and decisively, knowledge can always be attained. Science and religion have always and will ever have their own hard doctrines and stubborn facets; it is the way in which these aspects react with each other within cultures that will further or stymie actual knowledge.