As an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I don’t see a contradiction between my religious views and my scientific views. In fact, I think truth is truth, regardless of the method used to learn what is true. I believe that the scientific method is a valid way to learn what is true, especially for those concepts that can be measured in a reliable and valid way.

Scientists can never say that they know for certain that something is true, because scientific decisions are often based on the results from statistical tests, and there is always a probability (usually a very small probability) of error. But science is a fabulous method for eliminating false ideas and beliefs.

Scientific knowledge progresses, but usually at a snail’s pace. Often it is decades behind knowledge revealed to prophets. For example, in 1833 Joseph Smith received a revelation from God called the Word of Wisdom that spelled out what foods are good for people, and what foods are bad for people. This revelation said we should eat whole grains, vegetables, herbs, and fruits. We should not eat too much meat. We should also avoid tobacco and alcohol. Well, scientists came to the same conclusions, but it took them a lot longer. In 1964 the U.S. Surgeon General issued a warning about the harmful effects of tobacco, which is now prominently placed on all tobacco products. In 1973, the Surgeon General issued a warning on the harmful effects of alcohol on fetuses. In 1992, the U.S. Department of Agriculture published their first food pyramid in which they emphasized eating lots of veggies and fruit, but very little meat. Later versions of the food pyramid have emphasized whole grains over refined, white grains. But truth is truth. Scientists and prophets have given us virtually identical advice on what foods we should consume and avoid.

As a scientist, I do research on factors that increase violence and aggression in humans. Here too, prophets and scientists have come to the same conclusions. Take violent media for an example. In 1972, the U.S. Surgeon General issued the following warning about violent TV programs: “It is clear to me that the causal relationship between televised violence and antisocial behavior is sufficient to warrant appropriate and immediate remedial action… There comes a time when the data are sufficient to justify action. That time has come.” Since then, the scientific evidence has only increased. Our research has shown that violent video games, like violent TV programs, also increase aggression. In the pamphlet titled “For the Strength of Youth,” the First Presidency wrote in 2001: “Good entertainment will help you to have good thoughts and make righteous choices. Do not attend, view, or participate in entertainment that is violent in any way” (p. 17). Scientists and prophets agree – violent media can have harmful effects on people.

As a scientist I am happy to conduct research on factors that contribute to violent and aggressive behavior. Hopefully my research will help make the world a more peaceful place to live. As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I try to follow the example of Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace.

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Brad J. Bushman, is a professor of communication and psychology at The Ohio State University, and holds the Margaret Hall and Robert Randal Rinehart Chair of Mass Communication. He previously taught at Iowa State University and the University of Michigan, has been a visiting professor at the Warsaw School of Social Psychology in Poland, and, since 2005, has held a joint appointment as a professor of communication science at the VU University [Vrije Universiteit], Amsterdam, in the Netherlands. He earned his bachelor’s degree in psychology from Weber State University, following that with master’s degrees in secondary education from Utah State University and in both psychology and statistics from the University of Missouri, where he also earned a doctorate in social psychology.

His research focuses on the causes and consequences of human aggression. It has challenged several societal myths (e.g., violent media have a trivial effect on aggression, venting anger reduces aggression, violent people suffer from low self-esteem, violence and sex on television sell products, warning labels on television programs reduce audience size). He is also interested in meta-analysis, a quantitative approach to reviewing the scientific literature.

Posted June 2010
Updated June 2011