Indian Scientists, Firmly Secular But No Conflict with God

Photo: Christian Newswire

Indian Scientists, Firmly Secular But No Conflict with God

Only 8% express ethical reservations about stem cells and genetic engineering but 49% believe prayer is efficacious as therapy.

MEDIA ADVISORY, June 10 /Christian Newswire/ -- The largest-ever nationwide survey of Indian scientists shows that many are as comfortable with seeking the blessings of the resident Hindu God at Tirupati before a space rocket launch as they are with embracing stem cell research and the theory of evolution.

The study, "Worldviews and Opinions of Scientists in India," which was released at the United Nations in New York on June 5, was conducted by Professors Ariela Keysar and Barry A. Kosmin of the Institute for the Study of Secularism in Society and Culture (ISSSC) of Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut, U.S., with assistance from the Centre for Inquiry India. It sampled 1,100 participants from 130 universities and research institutes in India between July 2007 and January 2008. It is believed to be the first major study of the beliefs of scientists from outside the Judeo-Christian Western tradition.

The respondents, all of whom hold doctorates, are representative of the burgeoning elite among India's more than 4 million science, medical and technology professionals. Professor Kosmin explained that "India was chosen because of its increasing scientific and economic importance on the global scene."
Only 8% of the scientists said they would refuse to work on stem cell research because of moral or religious beliefs, yet, 41% approved "strongly" or "somewhat" seeking the blessing of Lord Venkateswara at Tirupati before launching a rocket and satellite in 2005.

The survey found that many Indian scientists appear to compartmentalize their views on science and religion-refusing. Some 23% of the Indian scientists who were surveyed said they would not criticize and confront religious practices if they contradicted accepted scientific theories. In contrast, 44% of the scientists in the sample were willing to criticize and confront religious practices, and 33% said they would do so on occasion.

Likewise, although most of the Indian scientists in the survey described themselves as "secular," few understood the term to mean irreligious. Some 83% of respondents interpreted secularism as "separation of religion from state and government" and 93% regarded it as "tolerance for religions and philosophies." Only 20% considered that secularism means atheism.

The ISSSC survey also covered Reasons for Becoming a Scientist, Status of Women, Scientific Literacy in India, Ethical Constraints on Science, Belief in God, Belief in Miracles, and Spirituality. A copy of the full report may be downloaded from www.trincoll.edu/secularisminstitute

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