SUCCESSFUL STRATEGIES FOR ACCOMMODATING THE FUNDAMENTALIST MINORITY IN GEOSCIENCE EDUCATION

In teaching earth sciences at the high-school, community college and university levels for four decades, I have developed a blend of approaches and strategies that successfully minimize conflict with and offense to students whose sincerely held religious beliefs appear to contradict conclusions reached by the scientific method. Among the students whose concerns I have attempted to address are those who profess belief in the Biblical literalist faith traditions of Fundamentalist Protestantism, Orthodox Judaism and Roman Catholicism. Not surprisingly, the conclusions that have been challenged most consistently and passionately by members of this "fundamentalist minority" relate to the age of the Earth and the evolution of life.

Essential to effective two-way communication is clear definition and respectful recognition of the contextually valid but disparate intellectual approaches of faith-based beliefs and evidence-based explanations. Specific strategies that can achieve productive dialogue include: (1) acceptance of the reconciliation of belief systems as a possible and worthy alternative to confrontation and conflict; (2) consideration of the implications and responsibilities of divinely instilled intelligence, curiosity and problem-solving ability; (3) examination of faith-based and language-based alternative interpretations of scripture; and (4) consideration of divine intention in the selection of literal and metaphoric modes of communication.