• Question: do you have a religion? if so, what is it?

    Asked by Maccy J to Ellen, Elliot, Hazel, Rupesh, Thomas on 13 Jun 2016. This question was also asked by lor.can.
    • Photo: Elliot Jokl

      Elliot Jokl answered on 13 Jun 2016:

      Hello and thanks for the question!

      I’m not at all religious. I was raised as a Christian growing up, but I started to question it growing up and a lot of it did not make much sense to me. I think the thing that attracts me to science is that it has the ability to explain a lot of things in a very objective and rational way, and there were times when my understanding of science was at odds with the religion I was brought up with.

      That said, there are some fantastic scientists who are religious. One such example is Francis Collins who is a very devout Christian and a very successful scientist. He helped lead the team to sequence the human genome, which is a very impressive achievement. I absolutely think it is possible to be religious and a scientist, but I am just a scientist and happy that way!

    • Photo: Ellen Gill

      Ellen Gill answered on 14 Jun 2016:

      I’m not religious myself, but I’ve known plenty of scientists from all sorts of religious backgrounds. I don’t see science and religion as incompatible at all.

    • Photo: Thomas Biggans

      Thomas Biggans answered on 14 Jun 2016:

      I would be described as an agnostic because I don’t believe in any of the religions but I hope there is something greater and we just don’t know about it. The main reason I think this way is because I really want there to be an after life I don’t like the idea that one day it’ll all be over.

      However as a scientist I can’t prove anything does exist but at the same time I haven’t proved something doesn’t

    • Photo: Rupesh Paudyal

      Rupesh Paudyal answered on 15 Jun 2016:

      No, I don’t consider myself as religious but I was bought up as Hindu, Buddhist. Despite that I still respect all the religion and cultures.

      I like visiting Churches, Temples and Mosques because I like history and art and culture.

    • Photo: Hazel Garvie-Cook

      Hazel Garvie-Cook answered on 16 Jun 2016:

      I don’t follow a religion, but am open minded and like hearing about other people’s religions and beliefs. I think it forms a very important part of our society and our history.

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