At the turn of the 20th century, the eminent psychologist William James was already concerned about the neglect of science in the study of religion. He produced a series of lectures that positioned religious experiences as a verifiable dimension of human nature. At the same time, he maintained, understanding religious experiences within the context of science should in no way diminish their value. 

Today, 120 years later, religion remains understudied by scientists, and perceptions of science and religion as competing belief systems seem to have only strengthened over time, particularly in Western societies. 

Recently, however, pioneering researchers in an emerging field of investigation are delving deeply and broadly to evaluate both religion and science as systems of belief that satisfy humans’ primal search for meaning and purpose. Research in this relatively new field is spearheaded by behavioral scientists who are interested in the evolution of religion at both the biological and cultural levels – and particularly in why and how beliefs and behaviors vary, and how they develop over time. 

Is the fulfillment of the deeply rooted human need for meaning unique to religion? Is it possible that science, and even atheism, have also come to function as meaning-making systems in today’s world? Are there particular social and environmental conditions today that favor science over religion, or religion over science? 

These are some of the important questions that evolutionary behavioral scientists are exploring in a research initiative funded by the Templeton Religion Trust in partnership with the Issachar Fund. The research is being led by Dominic Johnson, DPhil, Ph.D., Professor of International Relations at St. Antony’s College, Oxford, and Michael E. Price, Ph.D., Senior Lecturer in Psychology at Brunel University London. Under their leadership, 18 subgrantee research projects are underway, involving early and mid-career academics, as well as senior scholars.