Can Science + Religion Co-Exist?
The answer is YES.
A recent study from Rice University indicates that 15% of scientists at major research universities see science and religion in constant conflict.
They interviewed a scientifically selected sample of 275 participants, pulled from a survey of 2,198 tenured and tenure-track faculty in the natural and social sciences at 21 elite U.S. research universities. Only 15 percent of those surveyed view religion and science as always in conflict. Another 15 percent say the two are never in conflict, and 70 percent believe religion and science are only sometimes in conflict. Approximately half of the original survey population expressed some form of religious identity, whereas the other half did not.
Those surveyed cited issues like stem cell research and the theories of evolution vs. creationism in education as reasons why science and religion are regarded as conflicting entities.
Nona Willis Aronowitz, Associate Editor with GOOD/Culture makes an interesting point in her piece on the study.
Claiming that religion and science are enemies only strengthens the forces that keep people of faith from accepting science in the first place.
1. Do you agree/disagree with Aronowitz's observation?
2. "Sixty-eight percent of scientists surveyed consider themselves spiritual to some degree." -- Do you think this would affect their work in any way?
3. What effects do you think (or hope) this study would have on science, religion (or spirituality) or both?
A recent study from Rice University indicates that 15% of scientists at major research universities see science and religion in constant conflict.
They interviewed a scientifically selected sample of 275 participants, pulled from a survey of 2,198 tenured and tenure-track faculty in the natural and social sciences at 21 elite U.S. research universities. Only 15 percent of those surveyed view religion and science as always in conflict. Another 15 percent say the two are never in conflict, and 70 percent believe religion and science are only sometimes in conflict. Approximately half of the original survey population expressed some form of religious identity, whereas the other half did not.
Those surveyed cited issues like stem cell research and the theories of evolution vs. creationism in education as reasons why science and religion are regarded as conflicting entities.
Nona Willis Aronowitz, Associate Editor with GOOD/Culture makes an interesting point in her piece on the study.
Claiming that religion and science are enemies only strengthens the forces that keep people of faith from accepting science in the first place.
1. Do you agree/disagree with Aronowitz's observation?
2. "Sixty-eight percent of scientists surveyed consider themselves spiritual to some degree." -- Do you think this would affect their work in any way?
3. What effects do you think (or hope) this study would have on science, religion (or spirituality) or both?