Religion, Perceptions of Scientists' Moral Culture, and Support for Science in the United States.

This article investigates how perceptions of scientists' moral values relate to public support for science in the United States, focusing on religious differences. Using data from a nationally representative survey of 1,513 U.S. adults, the study finds that active members of religious groups generally view scientists as possessing fewer positive moral qualities (such as compassion, fairness, and generosity) and more negative ones (such as selfishness and bias) compared to atheists and agnostics. Structural equation modeling reveals that these moral perceptions mediate the relationship between religion and support for science, with concerns about scientists' morality partially suppressing support for science among religious individuals. The findings suggest that religious skepticism toward science is less about scientific knowledge deficits and more about differing beliefs regarding scientists' moral character, highlighting the importance of addressing moral perceptions in efforts to improve public trust in science.