Entry:

MacDonald, William L., "Secularization in the United States: Scientific versus Religious Authority,” Paper presented to the American Sociological Association, San Francisco, August, 1998.


Abstract:

Advancement of scientific explanations may contribute to declines in religious authority. The rising power of scientific authority is less of a threat to religious groups that embrace scientific explanations (like moderate Protestants) or reject science outright (like conservative Protestants) than it is to religious groups (like Catholics) that attempt to embrace science while arguing its explanations are wrong.

GSS Years:

1973-1996

GSS Codebook Variables referenced by document:

Variable Name

Variable Label

 
 
CONSCI

CONFIDENCE IN SCIENTIFIC COMMUNITY

CONCLERG

CONFIDENCE IN ORGANIZED RELIGION

RELIG

RS RELIGIOUS PREFERENCE

RELITEN

STRENGTH OF AFFILIATION

FUND

HOW FUNDAMENTALIST IS R CURRENTLY

RACE

RACE OF RESPONDENT

SEX

RESPONDENTS SEX

REGION

REGION OF INTERVIEW

XNORCSIZ

EXPANDED N.O.R.C. SIZE CODE

COHORT

YEAR OF BIRTH

ATTEND

HOW OFTEN R ATTENDS RELIGIOUS SERVICES

ADULTS

HOUSEHOLD MEMBERS 18 YRS AND OLDER

CONFINAN

CONFID IN BANKS & FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS

CONBUS

CONFIDENCE IN MAJOR COMPANIES

CONEDUC

CONFIDENCE IN EDUCATION

CONFED

CONFID. IN EXEC BRANCH OF FED GOVT

CONLABOR

CONFIDENCE IN ORGANIZED LABOR

CONPRESS

CONFIDENCE IN PRESS

CONMEDIC

CONFIDENCE IN MEDICINE

CONTV

CONFIDENCE IN TELEVISION

CONJUDGE

CONFID. IN UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT

CONLEGIS

CONFIDENCE IN CONGRESS

CONARMY

CONFIDENCE IN MILITARY