While the theory of evolution has been known to long clash with religion, a recent study reveals that religion is not the primary reason why schools reject evolution.
Evolution Rejection Goes Beyond Religion
According to SciTechDaily, a survey that covered 5,500 Italian and Brazilian students, from ages 14 to 16, revealed that social perceptions of science, nationality, and household income were more influential factors compared to religion. The findings of the study were included in the PLOS ONE publication.
As part of the survey, participants had to indicate whether they agreed or disagreed with several statements regarding fossil significance, the earth's age, and human origins, among other focuses. Upon analyzing the survey results, the researchers concluded that nationality had a heavier bearing compared to religion when it came to the acceptance of natural selection and common ancestry theories. This was greater among Italian Catholics compared to Brazilian Catholics. Similar patterns were also observed among Brazilian Catholics and Brazilian Protestants.
Phys also reports that the survey results reveal that there is a broader socio-cultural context that plays a role in the acceptance of the theory of evolution. Societies that are conservative, such as Brazil, may be more averse to such evolutionary notions. This was noted author and professor, Nelio Bizzo.
The study was a collaboration of scientists from Brazil's UFMT (Federal University of Mato Grosso) and Italy's University of Trento. It was part of a Thematic Project regarding issues of biodiversity inclusion in the educational curriculum.
Professor Bizzo notes how the researchers aimed to go deeper into the clashes between evolution and religion, as they needed to dig deeper into evolution mechanisms in order to know more about biodiversity and conservation. He notes how students may understand extinction consequences better if they know concepts such as natural selection, species origins, and common ancestry.
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Acceptance of Evolution
Analyzing responses to certain questions revealed patterns of acceptance, in greater and lesser wavelengths, among the students.
The findings revealed that Italian Catholics more frequently accepted evolution. On the other hand, Brazilian Catholics had a pattern that mirrored that of Brazilian Christians who were not Catholics.
According to the study, Brazilian and Italian Catholics significantly varied when it came to geological time understanding. This gap was wider compared to the view differences. Catholics who were Italian were more accepting of evolution, and they also had a better understanding of it.
Accepting evolution was influenced by the educational system, nationality, income, and other various socio-economic factors.
Several studies in the recent decades have looked into evolution theory acceptance. This is because it is a prerequisite when it comes to knowing more about the field. Professor Bizzo notes how their study did not focus on people's current understanding of evolution; they went further by looking into the acceptance of the theory. He notes that, if individuals are not accepting of the subject, their understanding will be affected.
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