On the topic of whether "scientists approach their work in an evangelical fashion? And if so, how can they do it without appearing to be espousing just another ideology?"

Rupert John Kilcullen says:

"I don’t believe that science or philosophy, or scientists of philosophers in their professional role, should become advocates, except for the value of their disciplines.

The discipline most relevant to religion is philosophy, meaning the practice of reflecting seriously (from time to time) on what one believes about the questions one regards as the most important (which those are should also be included in the reflection).

Philosophy and religion are not incompatible, and there have been many religious philosophers. However, a person committed to philosophy will change his or her beliefs if they don’t stand up to philosophical examination.

Everyone engages in philosophical reflection to some extent, and most people should do it more than they do. We owe this to our neighbours. Our opinions on the questions we regard as most important shape our actions, often with impact on the people around us. They have a right to expect us to take a reasonable amount of trouble to make sure that the opinions we are acting on are true. To engage in a reasonable amount of philosophical reflection is a civic duty."

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