Discipline, Status and Religious Tradition among UK Scientists

• In Event: 430 - Regular Session. Religion and Intersecting Identities

Abstract

The relationship between science and religion has once again become a contentious topic in the United States. But how much do we really know about American scientists’ religious views, and how they compare with scientists in other countries? How do the religious views of scientists in particular national contexts shape their practice, dissemination, and interpretation of science? And how does their scientific practice shape their religious interpretation and understanding? Here we present data from a new survey and in-depth interviews with UK scientists at different institution types and across different ranks, implicitly comparing their opinions about religion and personal religious practices and identities to those among US scientists. Results show that UK scientists have different types of religious traditions than do members of the UK general public and different religious sensibilities than US scientists, but in surprising ways. Results have implications for the institutionalization of science and for broader issues related to secularization of particular professional groups.

Authors

• Elaine Howard Ecklund, Rice University

• Christopher P. Scheitle, Saint John's University

• Jared L. Peifer, City University of New York-Baruch College