Scientists are often challenged about their ‘belief’ in evolution. Many creationists try to convince people
that evolution is more of a ‘faith-based’ position or belief system than ‘real science’. This article examines
the notion of acceptance versus belief and the relationship between knowledge, understanding and
belief. It argues that adopting the acceptance of evolution over belief in evolution will help teachers deal
with the challenges that inevitably arise in lessons on evolution in high school. Studies in philosophy
show beliefs are often held without evidence, may be illogical and are difficult to change. Acceptance
of a scientific explanation for a natural phenomenon, however, is based on evidence and allows for a
change in disposition should new evidence come to light. With this in mind, removing the idea of
‘belief’ in evolution and talking about acceptance provides a sensible way to manage talk of creationism
versus evolution, if and when it arises in the classroom.

• Evolution Versus Creationism: A matter of acceptance versus belief

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