Science and the Pulpit: Clerical Perspectives on Science and Religion in the United States.
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| Title: | Science and the Pulpit: Clerical Perspectives on Science and Religion in the United States. |
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| Authors: | Noy, Shiri, O'Brien, Timothy L. |
| Source: | Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion (John Wiley & Sons, Inc.). Sep2024, Vol. 63 Issue 3, p716-737. 22p. |
| Subjects: | Public opinion, Religion & science, Religious leaders, Political participation, Clergy |
| Abstract: | Although public perceptions of science and religion are the focus of a large body of scholarship, we know much less about religious leaders' views of science and its relationship to religion. Using data from a national survey of religious leaders in the United States, our latent class analysis finds three underlying groups of clergy based on their engagement with science and their beliefs about its interface with religion. Those with a modern clerical perspective on science and religion (40 percent) accommodate mainstream scientific theories alongside their religious beliefs and they discuss science frequently with congregants. Those with a traditional clerical perspective (29 percent) are dismissive of mainstream scientific theories although they rarely discuss science with congregants. Those with a critical clerical perspective (31 percent) are also skeptical of science, yet these clergy frequently discuss science with their congregants. We also find that these latent classes cut across religious traditions and political ideologies and are associated with clergy's social views and political participation. We conclude by discussing the implications of these findings in light of religious leaders' roles in their congregations and communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
| Copyright of Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion (John Wiley & Sons, Inc.) is the property of John Wiley & Sons, Inc. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.) | |
| Database: | Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection |
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| Abstract: | Although public perceptions of science and religion are the focus of a large body of scholarship, we know much less about religious leaders' views of science and its relationship to religion. Using data from a national survey of religious leaders in the United States, our latent class analysis finds three underlying groups of clergy based on their engagement with science and their beliefs about its interface with religion. Those with a modern clerical perspective on science and religion (40 percent) accommodate mainstream scientific theories alongside their religious beliefs and they discuss science frequently with congregants. Those with a traditional clerical perspective (29 percent) are dismissive of mainstream scientific theories although they rarely discuss science with congregants. Those with a critical clerical perspective (31 percent) are also skeptical of science, yet these clergy frequently discuss science with their congregants. We also find that these latent classes cut across religious traditions and political ideologies and are associated with clergy's social views and political participation. We conclude by discussing the implications of these findings in light of religious leaders' roles in their congregations and communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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| ISSN: | 00218294 |
| DOI: | 10.1111/jssr.12917 |
