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Theres no question that you are a bright person, and also appearantly a religious person.
But I don't think you can "comfortably say" that mathematicians are strongly drawn to religion, at least if you mean compared to the general population.
Instead, I think we can comfortably say that people who don't study anything at all are more likely to be religious than mathmaticians, and the more you study math (or any science) the less likely you are to believe in a personal God.
Thats what the evidence shows, I do believe.
And some of the statements Tony makes are leaning towards the side of not taking his religion seriously. Sorry Tony.
Actually I think the studies, even the ones cited here, do indicate mathematicians are more likely to be religious than other kinds of scientists. Although it's much lower than the general populace
"We found the highest percentage of belief among NAS mathematicians (14.3% in "God" [sic, by "God" they mean only "a God in intellectual and affective communication with humankind"], 15.0% in immortality)"
Leaving aside the myriad problems with this study it does indicate mathematicians are less unbelieving.
If the question is comparing math to, say, chemist, then the answer is not clear. If the question is comparing people educated in math compared to uneducated people, the answer is very clear. Uneducated and undereducated people are more likely to believe in God.
Interestingly scientists also tend to be more politically liberal according to Pew. This isn't just on social issues either. They are more likely to reject the idea government is wasteful and that businesses strike a fair balance between profit and the public good. They are more skeptical of "peace through military strength" and more favorable toward equal rights causes.
Sure. They don't want anything screwing up their research grants.
Although there were two areas where the political beliefs of scientists were more like those of conservatives than liberals: Animal research and nuclear power. Scientists favored those two things, but self-described liberals tended to be more uncomfortable with them.
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Sorry Tony.
