Trusting Religion or Science: A Cross-regional Analysis

• In Event: 455 - Section on Sociology of Religion Paper Session. Changing the Conversation on Science and Religion: Culture, Movements, and New Frontiers

Abstract

Research on religion and science has yet to compare how trust in the authorities of religion or science may differ cross-nationally, by religiosity, and perceptions of science. This paper fills this empirical gap by comparing how trust in the authorities of religion or science may differ by religiosity, perceptions of science, and region. I examine the effect of religiosity and perceptions of science on trust in religion or science across fifty-two nations clustered into eight regions (N=58,474). Drawing on data from the World Values Survey (WVS) wave six, I find that greater religiosity is associated with greater trust in religious authority, while more positive attitudes towards science attenuates trust in religious authority, leading to greater trust in science. This is true across all regions. Regional analysis suggests that differences by religious affiliation exist, except in Africa. Analysis of specific aspects of religiosity—-religious beliefs, values, and practices—-and attitudes towards science—-general, social, and the valuation of scientific knowledge—-further suggests that religiosity and attitudes towards science operate differently in different regions in influencing trust in religion or science.

Author

• Esther Chan, Yale University