Transcript Scientists and Religion

Scientists and Religion
An Introduction to the
Religious Diversity of Scientists
Vimla Bisht, Alvaro Baeza Garcia & Elizabeth Morse
Intended Audience
• Faculty members at both religiously-affiliated
and secular institutions
• Students in science courses as well as
interdisciplinary courses involving religion
and/or science
Learning Goals
1. Students will become aware of the current
religious demographics among scientists and
how it impacts the progress of science
2. Students will identify resources to learn
about prominent scientists’ views of science
through various religious lenses
The Current Scientific Religious Demographic
Take a moment to consider the following question:
What percentage of scientists are atheist?
The Current Scientific Religious Demographic
The answer?
Despite prominent claims that the majority of
scientists are atheist,
recent surveys have found that the
majority of scientists believe in a higher power.
In the United States, at least 51% of
scientists believe in God or a higher power.
Source: Pew Research Center, 2009
In contrast, 95% of the general public believes in
God or a higher power.
Thus, the religious are still relatively
underrepresented in science.
Source: Pew Research Center, 2009
However, not all religious affiliations are underrepresented in science.
Interestingly, in the U.S., a number of minority religious groups have
increased prevalence in science compared to the general population.
Source: Ecklund & Scheitle, 2007
The Current Scientific Religious Demographic
How does this impact our science?
 Ethics - Religious backgrounds inform our ethics in
science & technology: Just because we can do it,
should we?
 Scientific Communication– If 95% of the general
public believes in a higher power, how might this
impact how some scientific findings might need to be
communicated in the media?
 Funding – If some view religious and scientific ideals
to be in conflict, how might this impact the election of
government officials who support science? The
ultimate allocated funding to scientific institutions?
Scientists & Religion Profiles
Over the years, a number of prominent
scientists from varying religious, agnostic and
atheist backgrounds have commented on the
relationship between science and religion.
Included here are profiles of a few of these
scientists, their religious affiliations, selected
quotes and additional reading/resources
regarding their viewpoints.
A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, Aerospace Engineer
Born: October 15, 1931
Country: India
Science: Indian scientist (DRDO, ISRO) and administrator
who served as the 11th President of India. He is known as
Missile Man of India for his work on the development of
ballistic missile and launch vehicle technology. He played a
pivotal in making India a nuclear power.
Religion: Muslim
Recommended Reading: Wings of Fire: An Autobiography
http://www.abdulkalam.com/kalam/
“I wonder why some people tend to see science as something which takes man away from God. As I look
at it, the path of science can always wind through the heart. For me, science has always been the path to
spiritual enrichment and self-realization. “
– A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, Wings of Fire: An Autobiography
“I have always been a religious person in the sense that I maintain a working partnership with God. I was
aware that the best work required more ability than I possessed and therefore I needed help that only
God could give me.”
– A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, Wings of Fire: An Autobiography
Francis Collins, Physician
Born: April 14, 1950
Country: United States
Science: Physician, Current director of the NIH, Former
director of the Human Genome Project, Founder of
BioLogos
Religion: Christian - considered himself an atheist in graduate
school & explored religions as a physician after
experiences with dying patients
Recommended Reading: The Language of God: A Scientist
Presents Evidence for Belief (Francis Collins, New York
Times Best Seller), BioLogos (www.biologos.org)
“Will we turn our backs on science because it is perceived as a threat to God, abandoning all the promise of advancing
our understanding of nature and applying that to the alleviation of suffering and the betterment of humankind?
Alternatively, will we turn our backs on faith, concluding that science has rendered the spiritual life no longer necessary,
and that traditional religious symbols can now be replaced by engravings of the double helix on our alters?
Both of these choices are profoundly dangerous. Both deny truth. Both will diminish the nobility of humankind. Both will
be devastating to our future. And both are unnecessary. The God of the Bible is also the God of the genome. He can be
worshipped in the cathedral or in the laboratory. His creation is majestic, awesome, intricate and beautiful - and it cannot
be at war with itself. Only we imperfect humans can start such battles. And only we can end them.”
– Francis Collins, The Language of God
Albert Einstein, Theoretical Physicist
Life: March 14, 1879 –April 18, 1955
Country: Germany
Science: Theoretical physicist, formulated the theory of
relativity, professor at the University of Berlin and University
of Princeton
Religion: Raised in a secular Jewish family, self-described
agnostic, dissociated himself from the label “atheist”
Recommended Reading: Ideas and Opinions, a compilation
of Einstein’s most popular writings selected by Einstein
himself
“Scientific research can reduce superstition by encouraging people to think and view things
in terms of cause and effect. Certain it is that a conviction, akin to religious feeling, of the
rationality or intelligibility of the world lies behind all scientific work of a higher order.”
- Albert Einstein, Gelegentliches
“Science without religion is lame. Religion without science is blind.”
- Albert Einstein, Science, Philosophy and Religion, A Symposium
Jane Goodall, Primatologist
Born: April 3, 1934
Country: Britain
Science: Primatologist, world’s leading expert on
chimpanzees, conservationist & animal rights activist
Religion: Christian
Recommended Reading:
American Academy of Achievement Interview
http://www.achievement.org/autodoc/page/goo1int-6
"I don't have any idea of who or what God is. But I do believe in some great spiritual power. I feel it
particularly when I’m out in nature. It’s just something that's bigger and stronger than what I am or what
anybody is. I feel it. And it's enough for me.“ – Jane Goodall, Reader’s Digest Interview
We didn't really talk about religion that much, but the idea of God was just part of our life and I never
thought much about it… the wind and the birds and the tree and the leaves and God were all
intermingled as I was growing up. It was all kind of one, and I didn't really question it.
- Jane Goodall, American Academy of Achievement interview
Venkatraman Ramakrishnan,
Structural Biologist
Born: 1952
Country: India, Britain
Science: 2009 Nobel Laureate in Chemistry (Structure &
function of ribosome), Scientist at MRC Laboratory for
Molecular Biology, Cambridge, England
Religion: Hindu
Recommended Reading: http://www.thehindu.com/todayspaper/tp-features/tp-educationplus/nobel-laureates-takeon-science-and-religion/article2786216.ece
“I don't think it's the job of scientists to comment on religion and it is not the job of religion
to comment on scientific methods.” – Venkatraman Ramakrishnan, The Hindu Interview 2009
“We who practice science are susceptible to the same fallacies, flaws in logic and
superstitions as everybody else. It comes as part and parcel of being a human being. But, the
(scientific) system doesn't allow us to be weak in our beliefs and adopt falsehoods. In other
words, scientists are fallible while science is self-correcting.” – Venkatraman Ramakrishnan,
The Hindu Interview 2009
Additional Resources
Berkeley Diversity Resource: - “The Scientific Community: Diversity Makes the Difference”
http://undsci.berkeley.edu/article/socialsideofscience_02
Pew Research Science & Religion Resources
2009 Study: http://www.pewforum.org/2009/11/05/scientists-and-belief/
2006 Study: http://www.pewforum.org/2006/08/24/many-americans-uneasy-with-mixof-religion-and-politics/
Ecklund & Scheitle Primary Research Article – “Religion Among Academic Scientists:
Distinctions, Disciplines, and Demographics” (2007)
http://www.owlnet.rice.edu/~ehe/doc/Ecklund_SocialProblems_54_2.pdf
Robert Lamb Discovery Article – “Are Scientists Atheists?” (2010)
http://news.discovery.com/tech/are-scientists-atheists.htm
Guardian (UK) Sylvia McLain Commentary – “It's a big, fat myth that all scientists are
religion-hating atheists”
http://www.theguardian.com/science/occams-corner/2013/mar/04/myth-scientistsreligion-hating-atheists