Granted, it’s over-simplified term. But should we say that Giordano Bruno accidently fell into a weenie-roast campfire at a church picnic? Or that Galileo got his knuckles rapped with a ruler by the Inquisition?

while Christianity presided over the Dark Ages in Europe.

Could you explain what you are referring to by the “Dark Ages”? The illustrious Wikipedia admonishes,

Increased understanding of the accomplishments of the Middle Ages in the 19th century challenged the characterization of the entire period as one of darkness.[3] Thus the term is often restricted to periods within the Middle Ages, namely the Early Middle Ages, though this usage is also disputed by most modern scholars, who tend to avoid using the phrase.

More info:
http://johncwright.livejournal.com/236790.html
http://insightscoop.typepad.co.....ious_.html

I am unaware of any significant contributions to modern science by the Buddhist and Taoist worldviews. Please enlighten us.

I see you left our our Buddhist and Taoist friends in the east.

Are they not your friends as well?

Are you asking for a map to help you get to the conference venue via the shortest route, the fastest route, or the scenic route?

It will be interesting to note if the speaker will mention the foundations of modern science in pre-Christian Classical Greece, or the role of the Islamic world in preserving science while Christianity presided over the Dark Ages in Europe.