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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to be surprised that a scientist with a doctorate is religious

775 replies

Margaritapracataz · 22/09/2015 07:45

I assumed she was joking, but no she's a very intelligent woman (double first) but she has deeply religious beliefs.

Aibu to think this is a bit strange and to think less of her professionally?

OP posts:
Osolea · 22/09/2015 07:48

YABU. I'm sure she's capable of separating her professional life from her personal views, just the same as scientists who aren't religious. I can't see any reason to think less of her professionally based purely on the fact that she's religious.

MsJamieFraser · 22/09/2015 07:49

so you think your opinions on religion should be imposed on her? YABVU

Dogzeyes · 22/09/2015 07:50

I am a scientist with a doctorate who is also a Christian. (and got a first in my degree) it doesn't seem to be a problem for anyone I work with

Yabvu to think less of her professionally because of her faith.

Obs2015 · 22/09/2015 07:51

You think less of her professionally why exactly? Because you think she's dim to believe?
God save us!!

TheFallenMadonna · 22/09/2015 07:51

I'm not a scientist any more, but I have a Science PhD and a religious faith. I wouldn't describe myself as "deeply religious" mind.

x2boys · 22/09/2015 07:51

yabu my good friend is also a scientist with a PHD although not overly religious she was brought up catholic and still holds some beleifs.

JeffsanArsehole · 22/09/2015 07:52

Very unreasonable and frankly it makes me think poorly of you

Our current scientific models do not preclude a supreme being at all. They don't make it more likely either - and that's why it's called faith.

HapShawl · 22/09/2015 07:53

AIBU to think less of people who assume that religious belief means a lack of intelligence?

AuntieStella · 22/09/2015 07:53

The idea that there is a dichotomy between 'science' and 'religion' is wholly false. As a God/s are not subject to rational proof, then I suppose agnosticism makes more logical sense than positive belief in none, one or many.

But if you remember that 'the father of the Big Bang theory' was a Jesuit priest honoured by the Vatican for his work, you might realise that the idea of conflict is deliberately stoked in debate rather than inherent.

And of course, Dawkins might just be the person who proves God's existence (discovering what is 'The Word' ie what caused it all to begin).

Bumbledumb · 22/09/2015 07:53

YANBU. All religious views are unreasonable by definition, because they are based on faith rather than reason.

Igneococcus · 22/09/2015 07:54

I know a few but they are all from very religious backgrounds.

DelphiniumBlue · 22/09/2015 07:54

She sounds conflicted. Its not clear to me how she could rationalise holding 2 sets of opposing views, but I don't suppose it's something you could have a conversation about without her feeling attacked. Yanbu.

Sighing · 22/09/2015 07:55

Hmm I love the latest "trend" for associating spirituality with low intelligence. Charming. YABU

Thefitfatty · 22/09/2015 07:55

One of the smartest scientists I know is a devout Muslim woman. She's brilliant.

ginmakesitallok · 22/09/2015 07:56

I can't get my head round it either op, yanbu

Thefitfatty · 22/09/2015 07:58

I would argue that unless your actively trying to discount the existence of God through your research, then there's no cross over. The scientist I know is a biomedical engineer engaged in the study of Type II Diabetes. Not a lot, if any, conflict with her religion there.

Only extreme fundamentalists discount science totally.

scaevola · 22/09/2015 07:58

They aren't 'opposing views' though.

Unless you are taking the whack job extremist interpretation of a specific cult. In which case, you can find plenty of examples of nutty beliefs which conflict with 'science' which are nothing whatsoever to do with a creed. Tinfoil hat, anyone?

LetThereBeCupcakes · 22/09/2015 07:59

OP do you mean that you're surprised a scientist can also believe in creationism? I do understand what you mean. I did my degree in Geography and in the first month two people left the course because they couldn't reconcile their religious beliefs with the course content.

Presumably this person has found a way to work their belief around their scientific knowledge, which would be easier for some disciplines than others.

TheFallenMadonna · 22/09/2015 08:00

Does it matter if you can't get you head round it? If the work she does is good, why wouldn't that be the overriding factor in the OP's professional opinion of her. Allowing that opinion to be influenced by something else is, dare I say, irrational.

AnyoneButAndre · 22/09/2015 08:00

YABU. I'd be a bit Hmm at a Creationist scientist, but there's nothing contradictory about being a devout Christian otherwise. (I don't know enough about other religions to say whether they necessarily involve specifically anti-scientific beliefs - I don't think I'd trust a Scientoligist researcher though)

TheFallenMadonna · 22/09/2015 08:01

The OP doesn't say creationist.

araiba · 22/09/2015 08:02

i guess it depends on what kind of scientist she is

i can certainly see how certain aspects of physics or biology just cannot coexist with religion

but at the same time all science is based around evidence and testing which is where religion constantly falls short

yanbu

AuntieStella · 22/09/2015 08:02

If OP meant Creationist, I hope she comes back and clarifies.

At present, it's not clear what if any gods her scientist believes in (Buddhists, for example can be utterly devout in the pursuit of their atheist religion).

TheFallenMadonna · 22/09/2015 08:03

Which aspects of Biology?

Cloppysow · 22/09/2015 08:04

YABU to think less of her professionally.

YANBU to wonder how a deeply religious person would not struggle with some scientific vs religious theories.