Department of Microbiology & Molecular Biology, Brigham Young University, LSB, Provo, UT, United States of America.
Department of Biology, Brigham Young University, LSB, Provo, UT, United States of America.
PLoS One. 2018 Nov 7;13(11):e0205798. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0205798. eCollection 2018.
Polling data reveal a decades-long residual rejection of evolution in the United States, based on perceived religious conflict. Similarly, a strong creationist movement has been documented internationally, including in the Muslim world. Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS, Mormon), a generally conservative denomination, have historically harbored strong anti-evolution sentiments. We report here a significant shift toward acceptance, compared to attitudes 30 years earlier, by students at Brigham Young University, which is owned and operated by the LDS church. This change appears to have multiple explanations. Students currently entering the university have been exposed to a much-improved introduction to evolution during high school. More importantly, there has been a significant decrease in negative messaging from Church authorities and in its religious education system. There is also evidence that current students have been positively influenced toward evolution by their parents, a large percentage of whom were BYU students, who earlier were given a strong science education deemed compatible with the maintenance of religious belief. A pre-post comparison demonstrates that a majority of current students become knowledgeable and accepting following a course experience focused on evolutionary principles delivered in a faith-friendly atmosphere. Elements of that classroom pedagogy, intended to promote reconciliation, are presented. Our experience may serve as a case-study for prompting changes in acceptance of evolution in other conservative religious groups.
民意调查数据显示，基于宗教冲突的认知，美国对进化论的长期抵触情绪挥之不去。同样，国际上也有强有力的创造论运动的记录，包括在穆斯林世界。耶稣基督后期圣徒教会（LDS，摩门教）的成员，一个通常持保守观点的教派，历史上一直怀有强烈的反进化论情绪。我们在这里报告了一个重大转变，与 30 年前相比，杨百翰大学（由 LDS 教会拥有和运营）的学生对进化论的接受程度更高。这种变化似乎有多种解释。目前进入大学的学生在高中阶段接受了改进后的进化论介绍。更重要的是，教会当局及其宗教教育系统的负面信息传达显著减少。还有证据表明，当前的学生受到他们父母的积极影响，他们中的很大一部分是杨百翰大学的学生，他们早年接受了与宗教信仰相兼容的强大科学教育。前后比较表明，在信仰友好的氛围中，接受以进化原则为重点的课程体验，大多数当前的学生变得有知识并接受进化论。呈现了课堂教学法的一些要素，旨在促进和解。我们的经验可以作为一个案例研究，促使其他保守宗教团体接受进化论的改变。
