Science vs. Religion: How do we foster healthy dialogue?
Editor’s note: This entry combines the fourth and fifth in a series by Dr. Wayne E. Baker on his blog, Our Values, about a new study by sociologist Elaine Howard Ecklund on faith among scientists at elite universities. So far this week, we’ve discussed the religious beliefs of scientists. The majority of scientists are secular, but a sizable minority profess religious beliefs and identify with established religions. Some are quite outspoken about their faith. But most religious scientists hide, keeping their faith under wraps at work. Today, let’s look at the science vs. religion divide from another angle. What do scientists think about the religious beliefs of Americans who are not scientists? Scientists perceive, accurately, that Americans generally are more religious than scientists, reports Elaine Howard Ecklund in her book,”Science vs. Religion.” But accuracy ends there. For all their scientific acumen and formal education, scientists know little about the true religious beliefs a
