Irreligious Researchers Differ In Their Views On Faith

Some are vocal in their atheism; others see no conflict between science and religion, as long as the two are kept separate. Historically, the relationship between science and religion has been uncomfortable at best. Scientists today run the gamut of opinion on the compatibility of the two, ranging from those who feel they occupy vastly different realms of thought and reality that will never meet to those who see little reason why they cannot easily coexist. According to philosopher Michael Rus

Written bySteven Benowitz

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Some are vocal in their atheism; others see no conflict between science and religion, as long as the two are kept separate.

Historically, the relationship between science and religion has been uncomfortable at best. Scientists today run the gamut of opinion on the compatibility of the two, ranging from those who feel they occupy vastly different realms of thought and reality that will never meet to those who see little reason why they cannot easily coexist.

According to philosopher Michael Ruse of the University of Guelph in Ontario, Canada, the two institutions have shared a tenuous rapport. Ruse contends that science and religion have tolerated one another; while there hasn't been all-out "warfare," he says, over the centuries there's been friction.

"I suspect that if you polled scientists, you'd probably find that they are probably less inclined than the general public to believe in a Christian God," Ruse observes.

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