Read the following passages carefully and answer the given questions. Certain words/ phrases are given in bold in the passages to help you locate them while answering some of the questions.

PASSAGE

Many people believe that science and religion are contrary to each other. But this notion is wrong as a matter of fact, both are complementary to each other. The aim of both these institutions is to explain different aspects of life, universe and human existence. There is no doubt that the methods of science and religion are different. The method of science is observation, experimentation and experience. Science takes its recourse to progressive march towards perfection, the rules of religion are faith, intuition and spoken word of the enlightened, in general, while science is inclined towards reason and rationality, spiritualism is the essence of religion.

In earlier times, when man appeared on earth, he was over-awed at the sight of violent and powerful aspects of nature. In certain cases, the usefulness of different natural objects of nature overwhelmed man. Thus began the worship of forces of nature-fire, the sun, the rivers, the rocks, the trees, the snakes, etc. The holy scriptures were written by those who had developed harmony between external nature and their inner self. Their object was to ennoble, elevate and liberate the human spirit and mind. But the priestly class took upon itself the monopoly of scriptural knowledge and interpretation to its own advantage. Thus the entire human race was in chains.

Truth was flouted and progressive, liberal and truthful ideas or ideas expressing doubt and skepticism were suppressed and their holders punished. lt was in these trying circumstances the science emerged as a saviour of mankind but its path was not smooth and safe. The scientists and free thinkers were tortured. This was the fate of Copernicus, Galileo, Bruno and others hut, by and by science gained ground.

Choose the word which is most nearly the same in meaning as the word flouted as used in the passage.