Read the passage and choose the option that best answer each question.

 

The relationship between science and religion, and even the one between skepticism and religion, is warming up. At least, that is the feeling one gets from a cursory look at recent happenings, including the proliferation of books and articles in popular magazines about science "finding" God. Thus, the time is ripe for a skeptical analysis of the subject, which seems muddled by two basic sources of confusion: the need to separate logical/philosophical arguments from those that are either pragmatic or concern freedom of speech; the need to acknowledge that there are many more possible positions on the science and religion question than are usually considered, and that a thorough understanding of the whole gamut is necessary to make any progress. The relationship between science and religion is a legitimate area of philosophical inquiry that must be informed by both theology and science . Discussions about science and religion, especially in the United States, carry practical consequences that do not affect both in an equal manner. Discussing science and religion has repercussions on the cherished value of freedom of speech for scientists, skeptics, and religionists . Attacks on religion are considered politically incorrect--the remarks by Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura resulted in his popularity dropping 28 percent overnight. Scientists are especially aware of the fact that their research funding depends almost entirely on public financing through various federal agencies such as the National Science Foundation and the National Institutes of Health. Since federal funding is controlled by politicians, who in turn have a tendency to respond to every nuance of their constituency as gauged by the latest poll, it follows that no matter what your opinion as a scientist on matters of the spirit, it is wiser to stick to your job and avoid upsetting your benefactor . This is all the more so because of two other things we know about scientists: the overwhelming majority of them do not believe in a personal God (about 60% of general scientists and a staggering 93% of top scientists), and the reason they become scientists is to pursue questions for which science is a particularly good tool. Most of these questions are rather more mundane than the existence of God . The result of this odd mix is that while most prominent scientists do not believe in a personal God because of their understanding of science and of its implications, they must come out in public with conciliatory statements to the effect that there is no possible contradiction between the two.