Can a person be an anthropologist and a christian?

Question

After watching alot of films about human choices and beliefs, they were all narrated by anthropologist. I once thought I would like to have studied to become one, then I seen that it would seemingly clash with my own beliefs as a christian. I would essentially have to surrender my own position and become a open vessel for information, rathere than adhere to my core beliefs that "Voodoo is a sin" etc. Is it possible to be something that clashes with your faith?

Answer 1

There is a valid science of anthropology as well as a valid science of psychology|

But to be valid, they must be based upon the proper first principles of reason and must be informed by a correct philosophy of existence (see my profile)|

But what passes for anthropology and psychology today in academia is nothing but *garbage|*

It treats man as nothing but a higher sort of animal who has all these instincts and urges to fulfill| And this is all done with high falutant terminology and with reasoning that is really sophistry|

The true nature of man is that of a spiritual being (who of course has a material component because he has a body), who is able to completely transcend the material order of things to grasp universal principles with his intellect|

Also, man has a moral dimension that animals lack| He can fall far below the level of animals in his depravity, or he can soar far above them in heroic virtue|

We can see this moral virtue in the man of *integrity,* who does the right thing for no other reason than it is right|

That sort of thing defeats all the vulgur theories of our tenured professors at our ivy league universities who hold that man is nothing but a beast seeking to fulfill his lower appitites, but in the fancy dress of civilization|

Don't waste your money taking any social science programs in a university or college (unless they are founded on sound principles of reason)|

Get out and interact with real people - and watch the old classic movies too - there you will learn a h**l of a lot more about human nature|

---

Answer 2

Yeah just don't believe in that stuff.  Just FYI, Im taking anthropology in college right now and it's not at all exciting (to me).

You can study that stuff just don't start practicing those things.

Answer 3

Beliefs does not equal to facts.  You can believe in anything you want and still do what you like.  I am a biologist and see that evolution makes sense, but I still belive in God.  Belif is like a different part of your body.  You don't have to wear black mittens and black sox.  You can wear any type you like.

Answer 4

I'm an anthropologist, and I'm not Christian, but some of my colleagues are.  However, they tend to be "liberal Christians" rather than "fundamentalist Christians."

I had a student come to me during office hours once - the class was about religion and culture in Africa - and she explained that she needed to withdraw from the class, because they discussed religions other than Christianity.  She felt it was inherently wrong to even learn about different paths of life.  If you feel this way, you would not make a good anthropologist.

When I was an undergraduate, the head of our department was Catholic, complete with 11 children.  He believed that religion provides an important social and moral role, and that individuals should practice the religion they were raised with as a part of their belief system.  If you feel this way, you could be a wonderful anthropologist.

Answer 5

of course, just alter your studies to follow your faith.

;-)

Answer 6

You can be both. Searh for knowledge is no sin. The study will make you appreciate others by understanding their culture, origins,belief and general way of life.

Unless your interpretation is different.

Answer 7

If you become a biologist then you have to know all the evolution stuff.  But you don't have to believe it.  You just say the theory says and so on.  You are not signing a statement of faith when you study.

Answer 8

Actually, the whole point of anthropology is learning to understand ways of thinking different than your own. That's what cultural relativism is. As an anthropologist your job is to explain what other groups of people do, from your perspective but also to try to see it in the perspective of their own culture. Basically, an anthropologist's job is to try to understand. Believe me, it is no easier for non-believers who study shamanism or cults to put aside their own ways of thinking. You don't have to agree with the people you study, you just have to not judge them.

Of course that has its limits too - and this is the subject of much debate in anthropology - because who could sit passively by while the subjects of your study rape and torture each other? Of course that's an extreme example, but you get my point?

Anyway, studying anthropology is good for you. It exposes you to the rest of the world, to the numerous possibilities out there, and by doing so it refines and strengthens your own way of thinking.

Answer 9

I see no problems with it, as long as you are open to other cultures and realizing that this was good for them.  I have seen christian archaeologists, and they seem to be doing quite well.  I would say go for it.

Answer 10

Well, anthropology is the study of people.  It would be hard to objectively study groups of people if you believe that they are wrong by default.

Answer 11

Oh, yeah. In fact, the disconnect between your professional work and your private belief system is an interesting exchange that catalyzes all sorts of interesting comparisons and concepts that would not spring from just the one or the other. Be a good scientist: objective, detached, keep your personal beliefs out of your observations. Contemplate the differences between what you have seen and what you personally have faith in when you are being the spiritual you. You should be complex enough to hold firm to your faith even when presented with over whelming evidence that contradicts it. Sure, it's kinda schizo, but that's faith.

Answer 12

I believe so, but you can't also be Jewish. Do you believe God does not wish you to learn?

Answer 13

Anthropologist and christain? You can not be an anthropologist and a scientist, though.

Answer 14

If you follow the path where you must preach the word of God to others than I suggest not doing field work nor mentioning your specific belief system when doing work... Do not be ethnocentric.... The practice of culture relativism for some Christians that I know would be next to impossible. However, you may wish to look into Christain theology... although you do have a bias... tough question... But I am sure that the Vatican has a set of anthropologists of it's own.... I think you'd better ask a Christan Anthropologist before you decide to become one.