Journal of Research in Science Teaching · 2006 · 72 citations · 11 references
Science Education CommunityScience TeachingEducationReligious PluralismChristian StudiesAbstract SpurredHistory Of ScienceReligious PrejudiceReligion StudiesChristian PracticeReligious SystemsLanguage StudiesReligious GroupStructured InterviewsScientific LiteracySpiritualityEpistemologyScience And Technology StudiesClergy Views
Students often struggle to reconcile evolutionary theory with their religious beliefs, prompting investigation into clergy perspectives. The study aimed to assess clergy attitudes toward evolution, creationism, science, and religion. Researchers conducted structured interviews with eight clergy and a religion professor, and distributed surveys to members of a clergy organization. Respondents viewed evolution as compatible with faith, rejected literal scripture, opposed creationism in schools, and suggested clergy could serve as allies to science educators. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc., J Res Sci Teach 43:419–442.
Abstract Spurred by students who felt conflicted accepting evolution and the tenets of their faiths, yet knowing their faiths supported science and evolution, we began a study to determine the views clergy espouse on issues related to evolution, creationism, science, and religion. The resulting study included structured interviews with eight clergy and a religion professor, and a survey and questionnaire sent to each member of an organization made up of clergy. The data revealed a group who believed evolution and their religion to be compatible, that scripture was not meant to be understood literally, and who felt strongly that creationism did not belong in public school classrooms. The science education community may find in clergy an articulate ally in helping citizens to understand the contentious issues surrounding evolution and creationism. We share the insights that respondents provided on these issues and compared their views to those of teachers. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Res Sci Teach 43: 419–442, 2006
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