Abstract
Original language | English |
---|---|
Pages (from-to) | 422-439 |
Journal | Public Understanding of Science |
Volume | 24 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - May 2015 |
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Keywords
- atheism auto-ethnography creationism evolution Islam issue framing philosophy of science science communication
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Creating creationists: The influence of ‘issues framing’ on our understanding of public perceptions of clash narratives between evolutionary science and belief. / Elsdon-Baker, Fern.
In: Public Understanding of Science, Vol. 24, No. 4, 05.2015, p. 422-439.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
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TY - JOUR
T1 - Creating creationists: The influence of ‘issues framing’ on our understanding of public perceptions of clash narratives between evolutionary science and belief
AU - Elsdon-Baker, Fern
PY - 2015/5
Y1 - 2015/5
N2 - Clash narratives relating to evolutionary science and personal belief are a recurrent theme in media or public space discourse. However, a 2009 British Council poll undertaken in 10 countries worldwide shows that the perception of a necessary clash between evolutionary worldviews and belief in a God is a minority viewpoint. How then does the popular conception that there is an ongoing conflict between evolution and belief in God arise? One contributing factor is the framing and categorization of creationism and evolutionism within large-scale surveys for use within media campaigns. This article examines the issue framing within four polls conducted in the United Kingdom and internationally between 2008 and 2013. It argues that by ignoring the complexity and range of perspectives individuals hold, or by framing evolutionary science as atheistic, we are potentially creating ‘creationists’ – including ‘Islamic creationists’ – both figuratively and literally.
AB - Clash narratives relating to evolutionary science and personal belief are a recurrent theme in media or public space discourse. However, a 2009 British Council poll undertaken in 10 countries worldwide shows that the perception of a necessary clash between evolutionary worldviews and belief in a God is a minority viewpoint. How then does the popular conception that there is an ongoing conflict between evolution and belief in God arise? One contributing factor is the framing and categorization of creationism and evolutionism within large-scale surveys for use within media campaigns. This article examines the issue framing within four polls conducted in the United Kingdom and internationally between 2008 and 2013. It argues that by ignoring the complexity and range of perspectives individuals hold, or by framing evolutionary science as atheistic, we are potentially creating ‘creationists’ – including ‘Islamic creationists’ – both figuratively and literally.
KW - atheism auto-ethnography creationism evolution Islam issue framing philosophy of science science communication
U2 - 10.1177/0963662514563015
DO - 10.1177/0963662514563015
M3 - Article
VL - 24
SP - 422
EP - 439
JO - Public Understanding of Science
JF - Public Understanding of Science
SN - 0963-6625
IS - 4
ER -