BIOLOGY STUDENTSʹ AND TEACHERSʹ RELIGIOUS BELIEFS AND ATTITUDES TOWARDS THEORY OF EVOLUTION

Evolution has not being well addressed in schools partly because it is a controversial topic in religious views. In the present study, it is explored to what extent Turkish secondary school biology teachers and students accommodate the theory of biological evolution with their religious beliefs. Two-hundred fifty secondary school students and thirdy-eight biology teachers were asked to complete a questionnaire addressing (1) their acceptance of evolution and reasons of their acceptance, (2) their attitudes towards evolution and creation and impact on their education curriculum, (3) teachersʹ educational backgrounds information. This research is descriptive, yet the study findings inform further studies. Findings reveal that the majority of the participants rejected the theory of evolution. Their rejection of evolution correlated strongly with their religious beliefs and for students, with their teachersʹ attitudes towards evolution and its teaching in schools. Students and teachers believed that they should believe in either of these views; theory of evolution as it is described in scientific text or in creationism as advocated by religious organizations. Our participants thought they should reject one if they accept the other.