Predicting Science Denial Through Religious Intolerance
Topic: Disability and Religion
Author: PNAS Nexus
Published: 2024/04/30
Publication Type: Findings - Peer-Reviewed: Yes
Contents: Summary - Introduction - Main - Related
Synopsis: Does being more religious make a person more likely to reject scientific findings, or is it the level of intolerance of other religions that better predicts rejection of science. The authors note that people who don't have exposure to individuals of other faiths can grow up regarding their religion as the one true faith that trumps all others - and also trumps science.
Introduction
Yu Ding and colleagues hypothesize that people with high levels of religious intolerance are more likely to reject science, which can be conceptualized as a competing belief system. The authors used local religious diversity as a proxy for religious tolerance, reasoning that where religious diversity is lacking, religious tolerance will be low.
Main Digest
Among the Findings
Aggregated cellphone location data revealed that religiously diverse US counties engaged in more social distancing in April 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, even when controlled for the percentage of religious people in each county. Vaccination uptake followed a similar pattern.
Countries around the world with higher religious diversity showed higher scores on a high school science test known as the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA).
Countries with higher religious diversity were less likely to say that religion is a better guide to truth than science when filling out the World Values Survey.
In surveys of Christians from the United States, Hindus from India, and Muslims from Pakistan, those who described themselves as intolerant of other religions also reported higher levels of science denial.
According to the authors, there have always been religious believers at the forefront of science, but usually those from minority faiths who have wide exposure to people of other faiths.
The authors note that people who don't have exposure to individuals of other faiths can grow up regarding their religion as the one true faith that trumps all others - and also trumps science...
Similar Articles of Interest
- Claims of Anti-Christian Bias: A Cloaked Form of Racial Messaging?: To learn more, University of Washington News spoke with Clara Wilkins, an associate professor of psychology and Rosemary (Marah) Al-Kire, a postdoctoral research fellow of psychology.
- Conflict Between Science and Religion is All in Our Mind: Researchers discover the conflict between science and religion may have its origins in the structure of our brains.
- God, Religion and the Socially Disconnected: University of Michigan research study reveals religious people who lack friends and purpose in life turn to God to fill those voids.
- Religious Trauma Syndrome (RTS): Information regarding Religious Trauma Syndrome (RTS), pervasive psychological damage resulting from religious messages, beliefs, and experiences.
- The Delusional World of Man Made Deities: Paper examines the delusional world of man-made Gods, the uselessness of prayer, and the primitive barbaric legends in the Bible.
Attribution/Source(s):
This peer reviewed publication was selected for publishing by the editors of Disabled World due to its significant relevance to the disability community. Originally authored by PNAS Nexus, and published on 2024/04/30, the content may have been edited for style, clarity, or brevity. For further details or clarifications, PNAS Nexus can be contacted at pnas.org. NOTE: Disabled World does not provide any warranties or endorsements related to this article.
Page Information, Citing and Disclaimer
Disabled World is a comprehensive online resource that provides information and news related to disabilities, assistive technologies, and accessibility issues. Founded in 2004 our website covers a wide range of topics, including disability rights, healthcare, education, employment, and independent living, with the goal of supporting the disability community and their families.
Cite This Page (APA): PNAS Nexus. (2024, April 30). Predicting Science Denial Through Religious Intolerance. Disabled World. Retrieved September 11, 2024 from www.disabled-world.com/communication/religion/science-denial.php
Permalink: <a href="https://www.disabled-world.com/communication/religion/science-denial.php">Predicting Science Denial Through Religious Intolerance</a>: Does being more religious make a person more likely to reject scientific findings, or is it the level of intolerance of other religions that better predicts rejection of science.
Disabled World provides general information only. Materials presented are never meant to substitute for qualified medical care. Any 3rd party offering or advertising does not constitute an endorsement.