Astronomers as Believers

This is a first post to this NG, so apologies if my question has already
been addressed. And if so, I would thank you for directions to such
previous thread(s).

Here is a question that intrigues me:

To support their positions, either pro or con, I often read or hear
statements to the effect that x percent of scientists believe that God
exists, and various other percentages attached by them to beliefs in his
various works.

I find such statements to be a bit unsatisfying. I think that the domains
of scientists collectively are too diverse to support such generalizations.

By the nature of their field, however, it would seem to me that astronomers
should have a pretty unique perspective among scientists. The question
that I would like to know the answer to is, what percentage of astronomers
are believers? Does anyone have any numbers?

Thank you very much,
David

Le 02/12/11 07:21, David a écrit :
This is a first post to this NG, so apologies if my question has already
been addressed. And if so, I would thank you for directions to such
previous thread(s).

Here is a question that intrigues me:

To support their positions, either pro or con, I often read or hear
statements to the effect that x percent of scientists believe that God
exists, and various other percentages attached by them to beliefs in his
various works.

I find such statements to be a bit unsatisfying. I think that the domains
of scientists collectively are too diverse to support such generalizations.

By the nature of their field, however, it would seem to me that astronomers
should have a pretty unique perspective among scientists. The question
that I would like to know the answer to is, what percentage of astronomers
are believers? Does anyone have any numbers?

Thank you very much,
David

Believers in WHAT?

"god" has been a catastrophe for mankind. From the religius wars to the
fanatics of 9/11 to pedophilic priests, religion is a catastrophe, but
we are seeing the light at the end of this awfull tunnel: less and less
people believe in religious nonsense as science advances.

Yes, there should be a percentage of scientists that believe in god,
astrology, Santa Claus, and similar nonsense. But they do NOT use
their private beliefs in science or in their scientific work.

Dear David:

On Dec 1, 11:21*pm, David wrote:
This is a first post to this NG, so apologies if my
question has already been addressed. *And if so,
I would thank you for directions to such previous
thread(s).

Probably no such discussion, that does not involve "slings and
arrows"...

Here is a question that intrigues me:

To support their positions, either pro or con, I often
read or hear statements to the effect that x percent
of scientists believe that God exists, and various
other percentages attached by them to beliefs in his
various works.

I find such statements to be a bit unsatisfying.

As you should.

*I think that the domains of scientists collectively are
too diverse to support such generalizations.

No, the statistics have no such problem, as they are generalizations
over all scientists. That you want a finer resolution... is not a
problem with the original "sampling".

By the nature of their field, however, it would seem
to me that astronomers should have a pretty unique
perspective among scientists.

Why do you think this? Is not the smallest things what the Christian
God started with? Does it require "beauty" or "light shows", in order
to see God?

*The question that I would like to know the answer
to is, what percentage of astronomers are believers?
*Does anyone have any numbers?

I can't help you. There are danged few astronomers, such that they
have scientific degrees, and get paid to do astronomy. And *very* few
of them post here, such that you'd get useful answers should you try
and poll here.

Google returns some promising hits with:
belief in god by scientific discipline

David A. Smith

Thank you for your replies and thoughts, my friends.

Trying to narrow my focus, if not this one, then do either of you know of a
NG or forum that *is* frequented by astronomers?

Again, thank you very much,
David


On Fri, 02 Dec 2011 13:21:23 +0700, David wrote:

This is a first post to this NG, so apologies if my question has already
been addressed. And if so, I would thank you for directions to such
previous thread(s).

Here is a question that intrigues me:

To support their positions, either pro or con, I often read or hear
statements to the effect that x percent of scientists believe that God
exists, and various other percentages attached by them to beliefs in his
various works.

I find such statements to be a bit unsatisfying. I think that the domains
of scientists collectively are too diverse to support such generalizations.

By the nature of their field, however, it would seem to me that astronomers
should have a pretty unique perspective among scientists. The question
that I would like to know the answer to is, what percentage of astronomers
are believers? Does anyone have any numbers?

Thank you very much,
David