Introduction
Since the enlightenment there has been a transition in science promoting the idea there is no place for Christianity within scientific research. The secular humanistic movement has attempted to convince scientists and onlookers, science is pure while Christianity is bias with a belief in a non-scientific God. To claim its purity researchers have established the scientific method, established an ethical code and seek to remained separate from the knowledge of God. This paper will consider the compatibility of Christianity within research and ethics.
Compatibility of Christianity and PhD Research
Research by a psychologist or scientist holding a PhD is considered one of the highest most pure forms of research leading to deeper understanding (Horta, Cattaneo, & Meoli, 2018). The secular humanistic movement would suggest the incorporation of Christianity leads to a bias inaccurate outcome of such research and therefore has no place within academic endeavors (Kaden, 2018). Over time, this movement has gained recognition and creditability. Due to the American public-school system the population now considers the separation of religion and intellectual thoughts and government a standard, accepted and required practice (Melouka, 2018). With no scientific data, intellectual conversation or understanding of the need that incorporation of Christianity or the principles of Christianity into research and academic pursuits, is ignorant and therefore disqualifying to the work, society in large part has accepted this as fact.
Compatibility of Christianity and Psychology Research
Despite the attempts to silence a Christian worldview and remove Christianity from academic research Christianity is in general compatible with psychological research. The main difference within research with and without a Christian worldview is a moral foundation. Without Christianity the only moral foundation influencing what is and is not acceptable is based upon an ever-changing societal worldview. For example, 50 years ago homosexuality was considered wrong, while today society is working hard to claim homosexuality is not only accepted but embraced painting Christians as a group of hateful people (Fetner, & Heath, 2018). In reality what is right and wrong has not changed merely the societal opinion.
Christianity is based on an unchanging moral foundation through faith as laid out in the Bible. This moral code does not change with the waves of societal thought. As such, a Christian worldview within research ensures a higher state of morality influencing the ethics which a Christian would apply to research. As a Christian stands before God in all he or she does a Christian would seek to represent the facts as they are exhibiting a consistent action of honesty and transparency.
Christianity may not be compatible with a non-Christian view of research is in the realm of progressive topics which may be considered immoral by a Christian worldview. For example, a Christian would likely avoid studying the topic of homosexuality due to a moral understanding of what is right and wrong. If a Christian were to study a topic such as homosexuality the non-Christian demanding the removal of Christian thought from academic pursuits would likely manipulate the results to make a political statement. This non-Christian may claim the results are bias therefore should be discarded or if in the favor of homosexuality use the results to grandstand and claim even Christians acknowledge to be a hateful group of people.
Where it comes to pure academic research a Christian worldview is compatible with academic research and in fact a Christian would consider one’s self held to a higher standard knowing a judge sits on the throne who will judge every action (Revelation 20:12).
Influence of Christian Worldview in Psychological Research Ethics
Ethics have been established to ensure subjects are treated with respect and not harmed. The code of ethics was needed due to the utter lack of a moral compass on all sides of the conflict in World War II (Fisher, 2017). The atrocities committed were extreme, wide spread and accepted at the time. The lack of a Christian worldview and moral foundation in decision making and research showed the natural depravity of mankind. The idea of the ends justifying the means was used to justify much evil. As such, a Christian worldview calls a researcher to a higher level of moral and ethical standards. The concept of right and wrong are a solid unchanging foundation causing a researcher to hold to those principles. It is written, honor all people … fear God (1 Peter 2:17). It is a Christian’s worldview to honor the subjects of a study and fear or respect God who sees all (Hebrews 4:13)
Conclusion
In conclusion, a Christian worldview does not conflict with a non-Christian worldview with respect to academic research. In fact, a Christian worldview raises the standard of the application of right and wrong holding fast to an unchanging moral foundation. This unchanging foundation dictates the ethical approach a Christian researcher follows. Respecting all people out of respect and knowledge of the existence of God a Christian knows the obligation to protect and respect the subjects of a study. As such, a Christian worldview is compatible within academic research and only offends those who seek to erase God and morality from academic pursuits.
References
Fetner, T., & Heath, M. (2018). Studying 8 the “Right” Can Feel Wrong. Other, Please Specify: Queer Methods in Sociology, 140.
Fisher, C. B. (2017). Decoding the ethics code: A practical guide for psychologists(4th ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.
Horta, H., Cattaneo, M., & Meoli, M. (2018). PhD funding as a determinant of PhD and career research performance. Studies in Higher Education, 43(3), 542-570.
Kaden, T. (2018). American humanism and sociology of religion. In Humanismus und Soziologie(pp. 161-181). Springer VS, Wiesbaden.
Melouka, A. (2018). Reconsidering Secular Humanism: Separation of Church and State in Public Schools in the USA. Revue Académique des Études Sociales et Humaines, (19), 81-86.