Have statistics on scientists who are theists?

Question

Im looking for help narrowing my search on this. There are so many conflicting sources of information. If anyone has done this homework in the past , can you point me to a credible source?
If not take a guess and comment on the source of your opinion.

Thanks in advance.

Answer 1

You have to define your term "scientist". Is political science a science? There are all sorts of surveys out there with all sorts of built in biases.

Here's a poll on a related topic with some discussion.

Answer 2

Scientists try and keep their faith in the background a lot.

Even if they have one they dont let it rule their life and they dont want to look like it does either.

Mainly because of historical facts and people wanting to have secularism in their lives to avoid having the church gain control like they did in the olden days and burn people for messed up reasons.

Youll find the secular defense mechanism working best with Christian faiths more because thats what secularism is based on: the actions of the church supporters.

But not in any other faiths will you come across such paranoia.

Because believe it or not, none of the other worldly faiths have had to invent such a thing called secularism because their leading bodies mass murdered people for superstitious reasons.

So you should look for Jewish and Islamic and Hindu faith systems as well. Their scientists are much more outspoken and couragious about their faiths.

Answer 3

If the source says over 15% it isn't credible. Figures around 10% are a realistic reflection of the facts-scientists generally don't believe in God and those who do tend to be liberal in their views.

Answer 4

I don't have statistics but I am a professional scientist and work with many other scientists (medical researchers). In most cases I don't know the religious affiliation of other scientists I cross paths with, but among the dozen or so scientists I work with most closely, more than half are actively involved in a Christian church of one kind or another, as am I. This includes Baptist, Church of Christ, Episcopalian and Catholic.

Answer 5

The most accurate stats are probably from Elaine Howard Ecklund. I would look into her work. The poll of NAS scientists (saying on 7% believe in God) is flawed in several ways.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Relationship_between_religion_and_science#The_attitudes_of_scientists_towards_religion

Answer 6

the last i heard 85% of scientists were atheists 10% were agnostics and 5% were theists