Acessibilidade / Reportar erro

Between personal beliefs and the academic background: how do biology teachers who profess a religious faith teach evolution?

The debate over science and religion has marked the last centuries, with current implications for Science teaching. After 150 years since The origin of species, we still live in a world no less religious than that confronted Darwin. How do Biology teachers, who profess a Christian religious faith, deal with the existing tension between Creationism and Evolution in their teaching? To answer this question, semi-structured interviews were conducted with ten teachers, and the content of their speech was analyzed, using historical, epistemological and ethical frameworks. The interviewees realize the importance of evolution to biology teaching, but feel divided over teaching Creationism. The conclusion is that it is necessary to deepen the discussion between Religion and Science in the classroom, taking into account the epistemological and historical differences and respect for student's and teachers' beliefs.

Biology teaching; Religion; Evolutionism; Creationism; Science and religion


Programa de Pós-Graduação em Educação para a Ciência, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Faculdade de Ciências, campus de Bauru. Av. Engenheiro Luiz Edmundo Carrijo Coube, 14-01, Campus Universitário - Vargem Limpa CEP 17033-360 Bauru - SP/ Brasil , Tel./Fax: (55 14) 3103 6177 - Bauru - SP - Brazil
E-mail: revista@fc.unesp.br