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The relationship between evolutionary biology and religion

Reiss, Michael; (2009) The relationship between evolutionary biology and religion. Evolution , 63 (7) pp. 1934-1941. Green open access

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Abstract

Belief in creationism and intelligent design is widespread and gaining in significance in a number of countries. This article examines the characteristics of science and of religions and the possible relationship between science and religion. I argue that creationism is sometimes best seen not as a misconception but as a worldview. In such instances, the most to which a science educator (whether in school, college or university) can normally aspire is to ensure that students with creationist beliefs understand the scientific position. In the short term, the scientific worldview is unlikely to supplant a creationist one for students who are firm creationists. We can help students to find their evolutionary biology courses interesting and intellectually challenging without their being threatening. Effective teaching in this area can not only help students learn about the theory of evolution but better to appreciate the way science is done, the procedures by which scientific knowledge accumulates, the limitations of science and the ways in which scientific knowledge differs from other forms of knowledge.

Type: Article
Title: The relationship between evolutionary biology and religion
Open access status: An open access version is available from UCL Discovery
Language: English
Additional information: The definitive version is available at www3.interscience.wiley.com
Keywords: Evolutionary biology, religion, creationism, intelligent , design
UCL classification: UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Education > UCL Institute of Education
URI: https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10005839
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