In Europe a lot of early scientists come off from cleric circles. It's just it couldn't go along with religion much time. The basis of science is questioning things. The basis of religions is belief and their non-questioning basis - dogma. As long as the science pursuit fits the religion, like predicting all kind of events, it's fine. But sooner or later, to evolve, science would have to start eroding religion's basis and here is where things will fall apart and difficulties begin (this is mentioned in the article here and there). Yes, "rulers are realizing the economic value of scientific research", but those rulers depend more on their good relations with religious leaders and the religion's offerings (like the public order among other things).