The document discusses how culture can influence scientific research and religious beliefs. It provides examples of how the gender and culture of scientists shaped early research on chimpanzee behavior. Students are asked to discuss if science is more "culturally neutral" than religion and provide their own examples of how culture has influenced the conceptualization or interpretation of scientific research. They are also asked to consider how American culture shapes the interpretation of scripture and if Christian beliefs differ significantly in other parts of the world. Minimizing cultural influences on understanding scientific and religious truths is discussed.

1. **Due By Sunday April 17, 2022 no later then 5pm
**Due By Sunday April 17, 2022 no later then 5pm Pacific USA time**No
plagiarizing**Discussion topic below:Some argue that scientific knowledge is superior to
religious knowledge because science is objectively true, whereas religious beliefs are a
component of culture. However, others maintain that “science, like a painting, necessarily
has a perspective” (Medin, Lee, & Bang, 2014). For example, Kohlberg’s early work on the
moral development of children was challenged because it ignored the perspectives of
women and Eastern religious traditions. Sometimes the results of scientific studies can
change based on the cultural lens of the scientists conducting the study. For example, most
of the early study of chimpanzee behavior was conducted by men. Influenced by
evolutionary biology, these researchers assumed that the male chimpanzees would compete
with each other for dominance over the females. Therefore, whenever a female chimp
asserted dominance over a male, it was dismissed as a fluke. However, when female
scientists conducted the observation, they found that females played a more active role in
the chimpanzee community than previously thought. Meanwhile, Japanese researchers gave
more attention social relationships between the chimps, in contrast to the American
researchers who focused on dominance hierarchies. Consequently, the Japanese
researchers discovered new factors that determined social structure outside of male rank.In
light of this, discuss in a post of no less than 250 words whether you think it is fair to say
that science is more “culturally neutral” than religion.Can you think of any other times when
culture significantly influenced the way scientific research was conceptualized, conducted,
or interpreted? (Feel free to look up examples online. Try to find an example that another
student has not already discussed.)Can you think of examples of how our American
individualistic culture shapes our interpretation and application of
Scripture?Denominational differences aside, are Christian beliefs and practices in the
United States fundamentally the same as those found in Africa, Asia, or Europe?What can we
do to minimize the influence of our culture on our understanding of scientific and religious
truth?***Next, respond to the posts of TWO other students in no less than 50 words each.—
>Student one please respond 50 word minimum <—I am responding to the week two
discussion board above. I think a time where culture significanly influenced the way
scientific research was conceptualized was within the past twenty years with the anti-
animal testing with science movement. I’ve noticed over the past twenty years there has
been a major movement towards stopping animal testing and the way animals are treated
in the scientific world. I personally believe there are plenty of other ways to do

2. experiements rather than testing on animals, but I do understand from a scientific
background that there are some animal’s who have brains similar to ours and that is why
testing on those specific animals can be very helpful but also harmful to the animal. I think a
way of how our American individualistic culture shapes our interpretation and application
of scripture is that from a young age in school we are taught to trust and to believe in
science. I think during the last two years of the pandemic was when people really started to
question how truthful science is along with questioninghow specific science is done. I think
that the application of scripture helps some people have a guide rather than using science as
their only guide. I do not think that Christian beliefs and practices in the United States are
fundementally the same as those found in Africa, Asia, or Europe. I think there are some
similar practices in Europe as there are in The United States that would agree with Christian
beliefs and practices, but not necessarily the same as here in The United States.To minimize
the influence of our culture on our understanding of scientific and religious truth, we could
use reasoning that has good supporting evidence along with letting people be themselves
and believe what they want without shoving our own specific beliefs down other peoples
throats.– Sara Warren*—>Student Two please respond 50 word minimum <—*A time
when culture significantly influenced the way scientific research was conceptualized is
actually in the present with more research being conducted on the effects/benefits of
cannabis and CBD products. Due to the legalization of this drug culture and science have
more awareness and openness towards this once negatively viewed drug.Examples of how
our American individualistic culture shapes our interpretation and application of scripture
could also have to do with the religious traditions that we were raised with. For example in
the Mexican culture, Catholics have high regard towards “The Virgen de Guadalupe.” In
addition in our Hispanic family we were raised to go to church every Sunday and all major
holidays this is something that is practiced in our culture. I believe that the main Christian
beliefs may be the same as those found in Africa, Asia or Europe. However the way that they
specifically practice and where may be different depending on the country. God and his
message may be the same in other areas with a few differences among them. In order to
minimize the influence of our culture on our understanding of scientific and religious truth
we can try to be open to all presented viewpoints. Often we are so absorbed by the ideas
and thoughts of our own culture and society that we failed to listen to and to adapt to other
truths or viewpoints if needed. We can also speak with others who have views that differ so
that we may gain a better understanding of how others may view their scientific and
religious truths, and compare them to our own and adjust them if needed. -Adriana