Are Atheists aware of the fact that there are respected scientists of many religious faiths?

Question

Why does it seem like Atheists assume ALL Christians dismiss science? Here's an interesting program that was on PBS that has just a few interesting scientists and their views of faith and science.
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/evolution/religion/faith/statement_01.html

Answer 1

This I know. Unfortunately, the Creation "Museum" is going to do so much more harm to Christians as a whole than good. Perhaps the reasonable Christians more so. I think this museum is the best thing to happen to atheism since Epicurus.

The person I admire most, in intellectual terms, is Dr. Michael Eric Dyson. He is an ordained Baptist Minister and professor of Humanities/Religion at University of Pennsylvania. Even when he discusses faith I devour every word. Anyone interested in social criticism, or discussions on race and gender should consider reading Dyson. Brilliant scholar.

One problem with many Christians (not all), I would say, is that people are very misinformed about the facts of their own religion. In 10 years in a UCC church / Sunday school, which looking back looks radically liberal to the fundamentalists, I learned that Moses absolutely wrote the first 5 books of the bible, that there was some degree of accuracy in the factual accounts of the Bible (Noah, etc...), that the Gospels were first hand accounts, written during Jesus's life. Then as an adult I learn that the Pentateuch was written from 4 separate sources in Judah, the story of Noah *might* have evolved from a story about some king who was washed down the Euphrates River, and the first Gospel Mark was written 40 years after JC's death - in Rome!

I still get into disagreements with family members when I tell them there has been no evidence found that supports the Exodus story and Israelites ever being enslaved in Egypt. My point is how, in real life, can I converse philosophically and intelligently with Christians if they are so thoroughly misinformed? My stepfather sees Heston's "Ten Commandments" as a documentary! Reasonable people still walk around claiming that pieces of Noah's Ark have indeed been found in Turkey.

Christians (at least those who identify as Christian) still make up +80% of the US, so I don't see Christians in any danger. However, if Christians want to shut the atheists up, mythology and dogma needs to be superseeded with a benign, progressive theology that allows ration and reason to thrive in public disourse, social thought, education, science, research and governance.

Answer 2

I do not think that we do. I know that I do not.

There are could be some atheists out there that dismiss evolution.

However they are dwarfed by the huge numbers of Christians and Muslims that believe their book over reality.

Also, the statistics show that the more educated you are the less religious you are, with 90%+ of the Academy of Science being atheist or agnostic.

Still it is not 100% even 5% to 10% is a significant number of highly educated scientist who are theists.

How many are fundamentalists though? How many did they have on your program?

Answer 3

Yes, I think most of us know that there are many people of various faith traditions working in the sciences. If you'll check my answers on questions regarding evolution, you'll find that I always point out that it is by no means necessary to deny god if you choose to accept evolution. I want the religious to accept science, not necessarily to abandon faith. Faith is a matter of personal choice, and I would never interfere with that, although in pointing out some of the fallacies of belief, it may sometimes seem otherwise.

Answer 4

at the same time as the Bible makes no declare to be a e book of technological know-how this is via a techniques the main precise e book of historic foundation (technological know-how clever) that has ever been written. right here is an occasion: Isa 40:22 this is he that sitteth upon the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers; that stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain, and spreadeth them out as a tent to stay in: This appose to the previous Indian (India) perception: India The earth is held up via 4 elephants that stand on the lower back of a turtle. The turtle is balanced in activate a cobra. whilst a style of animals strikes, the earth trembles and shakes. the two perception of historic foundation yet basically the Bibles coaching can in nice condition into precise technological know-how.. IHS jim

Answer 5

A) 95% of the National Academy of Science members do not believe in a personal God.

B) Christians who accept science are OVERWHELMINGLY lousy at getting their message out, and bear sole responsibility for allowing the Religious Right to capture the definition of Christianity in America and moving toward the rest of the world. If you can't even maintain your own membership, you have no business criticizing others for doubting the relevance of your message.

Answer 6

Of course there are. But the top scientists in the world are still non-believers for the most part. More than half (72%) are atheists as a matter of fact.

Answer 7

Since, as atheists are quick to point out, all Christians are stupid and lack the ability to think properly, all scientific work performed by Christians is carefully checked and cross checked for humor content. Christians who learn science are merely a great source of funds for educating the more intelligent atheists.
( I just hurt my cheek with my tongue. )

Answer 8

Lots of scientists had a reliigion, I agree. Pasteur was Catholic, Einstein a somewhat practicing Jew, the list goes on. You do not have to negate having a faith to be a scientist, I don't know where they get that from.

Answer 9

Personally, I've never doubted or condemned that fact, but I will say that I doubt that there are very many legitimate scientsts who believe in the claims of 6 day creationism or deny the truth of evolution.

Answer 10

Quite well aware. There are many vary intelligent christians who actually attempt to learn science rather than dismiss it off hand.

I think when we generalize (which ofcourse is not fair) we really mean evangelicals.