Doğa Bilimi Çalışmalarının Tanrı İnancı Üzerindeki Etkisi
The Effects of Natural Sciences Studies on Belief in God

Summary/Abstract: Discussions on the relationship between science and religion have always been popular and controversial. The cause and effect relationship between the two is a complex one that is difficult to make precise and clear interpretations of. The impact of science on religion and beliefs is evaluated from two opposite perspectives. According to the first perspective, science is a factor that encourages people to think and question and not accept the knowledge that experiments cannot prove; thus, it causes them to draw away from metaphysical beliefs. According to the other view, science is thought to increase the faith of believers by explaining a created universe in detail. In this study, the possible effects of natural science studies on the belief in God are examined. The study is a qualitative case study. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 7 young scientists from Turkey doing postgraduate studies in different fields of natural sciences in England. The interviews were analyzed descriptively, and common themes were developed from the experiences of the participants. In addition, previous studies were scanned, and they were referred to while interpreting the findings of the study as well. As a result of this study, the following were identified: Although the rates of disbelief are high among natural scientists and natural science studies may cause people to question religions and reject some of their claims, these studies are not the primary reasons for radical changes in belief in God. On the contrary, the findings of these natural sciences can be used to support both belief and disbelief. Social factors such as family religiosity and being exposed to or witnessing the wrong or abusive behaviors of those who claim to be religious and religious authorities have a more severe effect on the beliefs of individuals.

• Details
• Contents