Abstract
This piece responds to the article by Arif Rachmatullah, Soonhye Park, and Minsu Ha “Crossing borders between science and religion: Muslim Indonesian biology teachers' perceptions of teaching the theory of evolution,” in which the authors are among the first researchers to explore the views of Indonesian science teachers regarding evolution instruction. This new context is important for furthering a global perspective on evolution education. However, the authors use preexisting taxonomies for their analyses that were developed in studies executed in mostly Christian contexts. In this response, we argue that investigations into new geographical and religious milieus, such as the teachers in the study by Rachmatullah and colleagues, could instead be used to develop more attuned categorizations for the burgeoning research area of the interaction of Islam, Judaism, and other traditions with evolution. We reflect upon experiences from our own work in studying Jewish and Muslim views of evolution, as well as on alternative taxonomies developed regarding Islam and evolution; we close with a brief rationale for a current initiative to create a researchers’ network for those who study the interface of science, religion, and society in the Middle East and North Africa.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Asghar, A. (2013). Canadian and Pakistani muslim teachers’ perceptions of evolutionary science and evolution education. Evolution Education and Outreach. https://doi.org/10.1186/1936-6434-6-10
BouJaoude, S., Asghar, A., Wiles, J. R., Jaber, L., Sarieddine, D., & Alters, B. (2011). Biology professors’ and teachers’ positions regarding biological evolution and evolution education in a middle eastern society. International Journal of Science Education, 33(7), 979–1000. https://doi.org/10.1080/09500693.2010.489124
Brooke, J. H. (1991). Science and religion: Some historical perspectives. Cambridge University Press.
Carlisle, J., Hameed, S., & Elsdon-Baker, F. (2019). Muslim perceptions of biological evolution: A critical review of quantitative and qualitative research. In S. H. Jones, T. Kaden, & R. Catto (Eds.), Science, belief and society: International perspectives on religion, non-religion and the public understanding of science (pp. 147–172). Bristol University Press.
Ghafouri-Fard, S., & Akrami, S. M. (2011). Man evolution an Islamic point of view. European Journal of Science and Theology, 7(3), 17–28.
Guessoum, N. (2016). Islamic Theological Views on Darwinian Evolution. Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Religion. Accessed 1st of January 2020. https://oxfordre.com/religion/view/10.1093/acrefore/9780199340378.001.0001/acrefore-9780199340378-e-36
Huskinson, B. L. (2020). American creationism, creation science, and intelligent design in the evangelical market. Palgrave Macmillan.
Jalajel, D. S. (2009). Islam and biological evolution: Exploring classical sources and methodologies. University of the Western Cape.
Jalajel, D.S. (2018). Tawaqquf and Acceptance of Human Evolution. Yaqeen Institute. Accessed 1st of January 2020. Available at: https://yaqeeninstitute.org/dr-david-solomon-jalajel/tawaqquf-and-acceptance-of-human-evolution/#.Xgw_HxczbPA
Kojonen, E. V. R. (2021). The Compatibility of Evolution and Design. Palgrave.
Laland, K., Uller, T., Feldman, M., Sterelny, K., Müller, G. B., Moczek, A., Jablonka, E., & Odling-Smee, J. (2014). Does evolutionary theory need a rethink? Yes, urgently. Nature, 514, 161–164. https://doi.org/10.1038/514161a
Lightman, B. (2019). Rethinking history, science and religion: An exploration of conflict and the complexity principal. University of Pittsburgh Press.
Loke, A. T. E. (2016). Reconciling evolution and biblical literalism: A proposed research program. Theology and Science, 14(2), 160–174. https://doi.org/10.1080/14746700.2016.1156328
Malik, S. A. (2019). Evolution and Islam—A Brief Review. In A. Schleifer (Ed.), The Muslim 500: the World’s 500 Most Influential Muslims 2020 (pp. 207–212). Jordan: The Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Centre.
Malik, S. A. (2020). Islam and Evolution: The Curious Case of David Solomon Jalajel. In A. Schleifer (Ed.), The Muslim 500: The World’s 500 Most Influential Muslims 2021 (pp. 251–255). Jordan: The Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Centre.
Malik, S. A. (2021). Islam and evolution: Al-Ghazālī and the modern evolutionary paradigm. Routledge.
Mansour, N. (2008). Religious beliefs: A hidden variable in the performance of science teachers in the classroom. European Educational Research Journal, 7(4), 557–576. https://doi.org/10.2304/eerj.2008.7.4.557
Nasr, S. H. (2006). On the question of biological origins. Islam and Science, 4(2), 181–197.
Pear, R. S. A., Berger, D., & Klein, M. (2020). Religious and scientific instruction on evolution and origins in Israeli schools. Religious Education, 115(3), 323–333. https://doi.org/10.1080/00344087.2020.1770013
Pigliucci, M., & Müller, G. B. (2010). Evolution: the extended synthesis. MIT Press.
Qadhi, Y. and Khan, N. (2018). Human Origins: Theological Conclusions and Empirical Limitations. Yaqeen Institute. Accessed 19th of August 2020. Available at: https://yaqeeninstitute.org/nazir-khan/human-origins-theological-conclusions- and-empirical-limitations/
Rau, G. (2012). Mapping the origins debate: six models of the beginning of everything. InterVarsity Press.
Ross, T. (2004). Expanding the palace of Torah: feminism and Orthodoxy. Brandies University Press.
Scott, E. C. (2009). Evolution versus Creationism. University of California Press.
Swamidass, S. J. (2019). The genealogical Adam and Eve: the surprising science of Universal Ancestry. InterVarsity Press.
Wray, G. A., Hoekstra, H. E., Futuyma, D. J., Lenski, R. E., Mackay, T. F. C., Schluter, D., & Strassmann, J. E. (2014). Does evolutionary theory need a rethink? No, all is well. Nature, 514, 161–164. https://doi.org/10.1038/514161a
Yasri, P., & Mancy, R. (2016). Student positions on the relationship between evolution and creation: What Kinds of Changes occur and for what reasons? Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 53(3), 384–399. https://doi.org/10.1002/tea.21302
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Additional information
Publisher's Note
Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
Lead Editor: Michael J. Reiss.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Pear, R.S.A., Malik, S.A. Categorizations of the interface of evolution and religion. Cult Stud of Sci Educ 17, 625–634 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11422-021-10097-x
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11422-021-10097-x