Despite their scientific pursuits, faith in god is significant for many
Indian scientists.
Some of them believe in ghosts, many in god. Most of them have no
ethical reservations about genetic engineering and stem cell research or
any qualms over introduction of Ayurvedic medicine as a subject in
universities.
A unique survey <http://www.trincoll.edu/secularisminstitute/> that
pulled out the deepest personal secrets of Indian scientists also
concluded that nearly half of them believe in the power of prayers. The
survey, a brainchild of the Institute for the Study of Secularism in
Society and Culture (ISSSC) at Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut
and Hyderabad-based Center for Inquiry pried into the minds of over
1,100 participants from 130 universities and research institutes in
India. It found that religion and faith were deeply ingrained among
Indian scientists.
Every third scientist surveyed believed in sins and deeds of a past
life, in life after death, and one fourth of them believed 'holy people'
can perform miracles. Before a space vehicle is launched, is it okay to
take its replica to the temples to get the lord's blessings? 40% said
yes.
This was the first in a series of sociological studies entitled
'Worldviews and Opinions of Scientists' to explore the opinions of
science professionals in non-Western societies. India was the obvious
first choice, says principal investigator Ariela Keysar a demographer
and Associate Director of the ISSSC. The web survey was carried out
between August 2007 and January 2008.
"Secularism has a unique meaning in India," said Keysar. "A vast
majority of scientists perceive secularism as tolerance for various
religions and philosophies and this is reflect in their approach to
scientific issues," Keysar noted. Keysar's colleague Barry A. Kosmin,
part of the team behind the survey, said India's increasing significance
on the global scene and its special constitutional commitment to develop
scientific temper made it the first stop for the survey.
The report was released in New York City last week.
Subsequent studies will explore the opinions of science professionals in
countries such as China, Japan, Russia and Turkey.
About 88 per cent of the scientists endorsed the theory of evolution,
partially or wholly. Seven per cent thought ghosts and spirits exist,
that there is a significant link between comets and human events, that
the caste system prevalent in India should be given due importance.
The survey also quizzed the scientists on their reasons for taking to
science, the status of women, scientific literacy in India and ethical
constraints on science. The survey was designed in consultation with
Meera Nanda, author of Prophets Facing Backwards, and conducted in
cooperation with the Center for Inquiry-India, for which eminent
scientist P.M. Bhargava serves as a chief adviser.
