Science vs. religion : what scientists really think - File PDF

Suppression or Engagement 85faith of these scientists is a part of their everyday lives to the extent that they seeit shaping the what, how , and why of their teaching.A Catholic chemist24was especially forthcoming about his religious viewsafter I turned off my tape recorder. A recent immigrant, he thinks that academics(and Americans in general) should talk more openly about religion andintegrate it into their lives. He blames the present unwillingness to discuss religionon what he called the “political correctness” of the United States, which hecontrasts with the religious discussions people have in his home country.Although he clearly had outspoken views about public discussions of religion,this scientist explained that at work, his faith influences him primarily throughthe ethos it provides for teaching: “I would say religion itself doesn’t come up,rather the values that I get through religion . . . . As a teacher you have, forexample, a little bit more regard toward weaker students and try to help themout and also communicate to them the joy of studying science.” Here, heexplicitly contrasted himself with more secular colleagues who he thinks mainlyspend time with the better students.Similarly, a physicist25said that his faith causes him to treat those who workin his lab compassionately, going out of his way to do things for them that donot necessarily benefit his own career. In his words, “I’m at an age where I seementoring as one of the most important things I can do, . . . trying to get[younger scientists] on paths that will get them to the jobs that they want. Andyou know there’s no particular self-interest here. I mean the majority of [otherscientists] I don’t think do this.” This physicist is also establishing a clearboundary between himself and his colleagues who, in his sense of things, caremore about their own personal success than making sure that students arementored well. Obviously, nonreligious professors might also mentor studentswell. The point is that religious scientists often mentioned this ethos of teachingas something that they believed separated them from their secular colleagues.The Jewish economist26I mentioned earlier also said that his faith has a greatimpact on how he cares for students. He remembers his mother lighting candleson Friday evenings, a ritual that left him with “very peaceful imprints.”Such experiences gave him a sense of “who [he is] and who [his] people are.”And this knowledge that he belongs to a broader faith community influences,for instance, how he thinks about promoting character development amonghis students, such as those who have failed a class. These students might thenmeet him in his office to request a higher grade:And I say, “Well close the door and let’s talk now. Aren’t you ashamed to be here?What do you want out of life when your parents are spending money to keep you