Teaching Evolution

Today I presented at our fall conference a session on teaching evolution with sensitivity. In my experience, most difficulties with parents over evolution are avoidable. Not that there aren't some parents who will object anyway but most will not object to their students learning the principles of evolution. What they object to are teachers who say you have to "believe" in evolution - as if it were deity. They object to people who do not respect their right to their own religious beliefs. In some circles people of a wide variety of religions and cultures are welcomed into the society but fundamentalist Christians are somehow not deserving of that same respect. I call for teachers of evolution to think about their own reactions to those with differences. You do not have to share religion or cultural practices or beliefs to respect and care for the people who do. Confusing science and religion is not only a problem of those who object to the teaching of evolution but also of those who teach it. We need to make sure we are only assessing the students' knowledge - not their beliefs. We can assess reasoning skills but let us not tread in areas where science doesn't belong. And for Heaven's sake :) let's don't use the words "believe in evolution". Try saying "I accept the evidence of the theory of evolution". (side note - is evolution just a theory? YES and so is every other "how" or "why" in science.)

In addition, many people in the sects that object have been told or have assumed that biologists must be atheists. This is patently not true as most teachers and scientists know. Some are, some are agnostics but many are active in a variety of religions. We need to be better at communicating this to the students and parents. Finally, I think a problem is exasperated when, in the arrogance of science, we begin to assume science is the only way, or the only good way, to look at and learn about the universe. Philosophy, the arts, history, literature, cultural studies, and religion are wonderful ways to view the same universe. A life without these - with only science - would be dull indeed.

A sensitive approach to the teaching evolution will result in more people learning and understanding the prinicples of evolution and not feeling that they have to be adversarial in doing so.