The Relationship Between Science and Religion GMAT Reading Comprehension

Reading Passage 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.

‘The relationship between science and religion’’ is a GMAT reading comprehension passage with answers. Candidates need a strong knowledge of English GMAT reading comprehension.

This GMAT Reading Comprehension consists of 7 comprehension questions.

The GMAT Reading Comprehension questions are designed for the purpose of testing candidates’ abilities in understanding, analyzing, and applying information or concepts. Candidates can actively prepare with the help of GMAT Reading Comprehension Practice Questions.

Questions and Solutions

1. The author mentions Governor Jesse Ventura (Highlighted) most likely in order to

(A) prove that the Governor does not believe in a personal God
(B) show that the Governor believes in a personal God and therefore does not believe that various federal agencies such as the National Science Foundation and the National Institutes of Health should back scientific inquiry
(C) show that the public is unlikely to finance a politician who denounces religion publicly
(D) show that the public is unlikely to support a public figure who denounces religion publicly
(E) show that the public is likely to back a public figure who denounces religion publicly

2. It can be inferred from the passage that the author believes that the questions asked by scientists are

(A) more ordinary than questions about the existence of God
(B) more extraordinary than questions about the existence of God
(C) more popular than those asked by theologians
(D) more popular than those asked by politicians
(E) less extraordinary than those asked by politicians

3. The author implies that which of the following will occur if a scientist publicly declares that he does not believe in a personal God?

(A) That scientist will likely lose his job.
(B) That scientist will likely lose all support.
(C) That scientist will likely lose federal support.
(D) That scientist will likely lose all funding.
(E) That scientist will likely lose federal funding.

4. The passage as a whole can be characterized as which of the following?

(A) A description of an attitudinal change
(B) A discussion of an analytical defect
(C) A look at how two fields of study relate to each other
(D) a case for changing a view
(E) an evaluation of a scholarly study

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