Science, Belief And Society: International Perspectives On Religion, Non-religion And The Public Understanding Of Science

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The relationship between science and belief has been a prominent subject of public debate for many years, covering everything from science communication, health and education to immigration and national values. Yet, sociological analysis of these subjects remains surprisingly scarce. This wide-ranging book critically reviews the ways in which religious and non-religious belief systems interact with scientific methods, traditions and theories. Contributors explore how, for some secularists, science forms an important part of social identity. Others examine how many contemporary religious movements justify their beliefs by making a claim upon science. Moving beyond the traditional focus on the United States, the book shows how debates about science and belief are firmly embedded in political conflict, class, community and culture.

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SCIENCE, BELIEF AND SOCIETY International Perspectives on Religion, Non-Religion and the Public Understanding of Science Edited by Stephen H. Jones, Tom Kaden and Rebecca Catto With a Foreword by Grace Davie First published in Great Britain in 2019 by Bristol University Press North America office: University of Bristol Policy Press 1-9 Old Park Hill c/o The University of Chicago Press Bristol 1427 East 60th Street BS2 8BB Chicago, IL 60637, USA UK t: +1 773 702 7700 t: +44 (0)117 954 5940 f: +1 773-702-9756 e: [email protected] e: [email protected] www.bristoluniversitypress.co.uk www.press.uchicago.edu © Bristol University Press 2019 British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data A catalog record for this book has been requested ISBN 978-1-5292-0694-4 hardcover ISBN 978-1-5292-0697-5 ePub ISBN 978-1-5292-0698-2 Mobi ISBN 978-1-5292-0696-8 ePdf The right of Stephen H. Jones, Tom Kaden and Rebecca Catto to be identified as editors of this work has been asserted by them in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988. All rights reserved: no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise without the prior permission of Bristol University Press. The statements and opinions contained within this publication are solely those of the editors and contributors and not of the University of Bristol or Bristol University Press. The University of Bristol and Bristol University Press disclaim responsibility for any injury to persons or property resulting from any material published in this publication. Bristol University Press works to counter discrimination on grounds of gender, race, disability, age and sexuality. Cover design by blu inc Front cover image: iStock Printed and bound in Great Britain by CPI Group (UK) Ltd, Croydon, CR0 4YY Bristol University Press uses environmentally responsible print partners Contents List of Figures and Tables Notes on Contributors Editors’ Acknowledgements v vii xiii Foreword xv Grace Davie Editors’ Introduction: Science, Belief and the Sociological Tradition Stephen H. Jones, Tom Kaden and Rebecca Catto xix PART I: Methodological Challenges in the Study of Science and Belief 1 The Sociological Study of Science and Religion in Context Fern Elsdon-Baker and Will Mason-Wilkes 3 2 Survey-based Research on Science and Religion: A Review and Critique Jonathan P. Hill 25 3 Language, Labels and Lived Identity in Debates abo