Evolution and personal religious belief: Christian university biology‐related majors' search for reconciliation |
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| Authors: | Mark W Winslow John R Staver Lawrence C Scharmann |
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| Institution: | 1. Southern Nazarene University, Bethany, Oklahoma 73008;2. Center for Research and Engagement in Science and Mathematics Education (CRESME), Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907;3. School of Teacher Education, College of Education, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida 32306 |
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| Abstract: | The goal of this study was to explore Christian biology‐related majors' perceptions of conflicts between evolution and their religious beliefs. This naturalistic study utilized a case study design of 15 undergraduate biology‐related majors at or recent biology‐related graduates from a mid‐western Christian university. The broad sources of data were interviews, course documents, and observations. Outcomes indicate that most participants were raised to believe in creationism, but came to accept evolution through evaluating evidence for evolution, negotiating the literalness of Genesis, recognizing evolution as a non‐salvation issue, and observing professors as Christian role models who accept evolution. This study lends heuristic insight to researchers and educators seeking to understand the complex processes by which Christian biology‐related majors approach learning about evolution. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Res Sci Teach 48: 1026–1049, 2011 |
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| Keywords: | evolution religious beliefs Christian |
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