The Relationship between College Zoology Students' Beliefs about Evolutionary Theory and Religion.

Abstract

An anonymous questionnaire was administered to college zoology students prior to and following a study of evolutionary theory to assess their understanding and acceptance of the credibility of the evidences supporting the theory. A number of misconceptions that students held about the theory were identified. Many did not did have a clear understanding of the differences between a theory and a law, nor did they comprehend Darwin's Theory of Natural Selection. Most of the students surveyed could not correctly identify the mechanisms of speciation. The students were asked to explain whether or not their religious views were reconcilable with evolutionary theory. Beliefs were shown to interfere with the ability to objectively view scientific evidence, especially when they involved deeply ingrained religious teachings which were counter to the information being presented. Those who held strong creationist religious beliefs felt the choice was dichotomous. They accepted a literal Biblical account of creation and rejected the theory of evolution

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