Biblical Literalism and Perceptions of History as a Scientific Discipline

• In Event: 1580 - Section on Sociology of Religion Roundtable Session
  In Refereed Roundtable 60min: Table 04. Religion and Attitudes

Abstract

In many studies examining how religion shapes attitudes towards science, biblical literalism is found to play a negative role. We present a science-related issue for which biblical literalism seems, at least on the surface, to have a more positive influence on attitudes. Specifically, individuals expressing a literalist view of the bible are more likely than those who view the bible as a book of fables to say that the field of history is scientific. This pattern remains even after accounting for other demographic and religion-related measures. We discuss this pattern in the context of historical and contemporary connections between the bible, history, and science among those coming from a literalist worldview.

Authors

• Kathleen C. Oberlin, Grinnell College

• Christopher P. Scheitle, College of Saint Benedict-Saint John's University