pewforum.org Topics Issues Science & Bioethics

Religion and Science Research Package

A Pew Forum research package provides an overview of the relationship between religion and science and examines public opinion on the issue as well scientists’ religious beliefs.

An Overview of Religion and Science in the United States
Surveys repeatedly show that most Americans respect science and the benefits it brings to society, such as new technologies and medical treatments. Nevertheless, strong religious convictions can affect some Americans' willingness to accept certain scientific theories and discoveries.
Public Opinion on Religion and Science in the United States
The United States is the most religious industrial democracy in the world. At the same time, the U.S. is a science superpower, leading the world in many key areas of scientific research and in most fields of technological development.
Scientists and Belief
When President Barack Obama announced on July 8, 2009, that he would nominate renowned geneticist Francis Collins to be the new director of the National Institutes of Health, a number of scientists and pundits publicly questioned whether the nominee' s devout religious faith should disqualify him from the position.
Religion and Science: A Timeline
A history of the relationship between religion and science.