• Question: I asked the other scientists but i want to know weather you are religious and if yes does this effect what you think about science e.g. the idea of evaloution?

    Asked by claudiahall to Charlotte, Jo, Kevin, Louise, Valeria on 18 Jun 2012. This question was also asked by jessleeramsey, lotara.
    • Photo: Kevin Mahon

      Kevin Mahon answered on 18 Jun 2012:

      I am not religious – but I wasn’t religious before being a scientist or even interested in science. I know for some people it is a genuine conflict – even if you entirely believe evolution as a whole and it’s effects but you think that a god simple ‘kickstarted it’ (which is a very common, moderate belief – upheld by the church of england) you are still technically a ‘creationist’ – which is obviously something difficult to reconcile yourself with as an evolutionist.

      Obviously, it varies from person to person – this is as personal a question as you can get! I’m not religious as I;ve said but I certainly don’t think being religious should stop anyone from being a scientist, nor to I think it can hinder a scientific mind in any regard. There are many exceptional biologists who are religious – religion doesn’t have to influence your work, although I’m aware it can happen!

    • Photo: Valeria Senigaglia

      Valeria Senigaglia answered on 18 Jun 2012:

      I am religious…maybe I should say I am spiritual as I am not really in agreement with any particular religion although I was brought up as a catholic.

      This doesn’t affect my view in science, I believe in evolution. Religion or spirituality if you prefer, affect they way I approach social life, my compassion and so on (not that if you are not religious, you are not compassionate) but I don’t see an incompatibility between science and religion. I think common sense can solve the problem.
      Religious texts have been written in a time in which science wasn’t so advanced and people need explanations for strange phenomena…now we know there are other explanations to comets, the world creation and so on…this doesn’t prevent you from believing in a soprannatural presence as a god may be.

    • Photo: Joanna Cruden

      Joanna Cruden answered on 18 Jun 2012:

      I am not religious so don’t have a conflict but I think if I was and I did I would stop doing my work unless I thought it would be approved of by God or whatever I believed in

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